Staff Actuary, Retirement

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Staff Actuary, Retirement

Department: Public Policy

Reports to: Senior Director, Public Policy

Direct Report(s): none

OVERVIEW

The Staff Actuary will support and advance the work of the American Academy of Actuaries in line with its role as the voice on public policy and professionalism issues in the United States. This role focuses on providing actuarial expertise in the form of analysis and recommended interpretations of key Academy strategic priorities, stakeholder outreach and engagement, partnership building with peer and stakeholder organizations, and tailoring public facing work to meet state, federal and, when relevant, global needs.

Through strategic collaboration and volunteer engagement, the Staff Actuary leads and supports public policy and professionalism initiatives across the practice areas, with an emphasis on public policy priorities related to retirement, including public and private pensions, Social Security, and lifetime income. We are looking for a candidate who can bring a combination of strategic, solutions-focused perspective with knowledge of retirement, financial reporting, and professionalism issues that support the Academy’s efforts in providing independent, objective advice. Experience in and awareness of policy issues surrounding retirement issues, including public and private pension plans, defined contribution and defined benefit plans, employer-based retirement products (i.e., 401(k)), public program solvency, and engagement with key external stakeholders like the PBGC, Department of Labor, ERIC, NASI, Congressional offices, and consumer groups is key.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Support and collaborate with the Academy’s public policy and professionalism staff, as well as with volunteer leadership, in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including regulators and legislators, U.S. actuarial associations, employers, industry representatives, members, and volunteers, to foster trust and forge strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with volunteers and staff to deliver public policy work products, professionalism content, and outreach initiatives that enhance strategic policy priorities and organizational goals.
• Represent the Academy at public forums and within the actuarial community, alongside the staff and volunteers, to promote the Academy’s offerings and policy perspectives.
• Propose and develop work products while identifying appropriate stakeholders in order to drive and finalize timely, relevant public policy work.
• Contribute to research activities on emerging actuarial and risk topics, working with the Research staff and volunteers to advance the Academy’s thought leadership and address industry needs.
• Lead projects as requested by Academy leadership, while participating in and occasionally leading special projects to address emerging or priority cross-practice issues.

Travel: 5%, primarily domestic and in support of external presentations/conferences. Weekends and overnight attendance may be required

Other duties as necessary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Understanding of the state, federal, and international regulatory and legislative landscapes as they influence and impact retirement, lifetime income, and financial security public policy issues.
• Understanding of consumer, government, and industry priorities.
• Deep curiosity and interest in understanding and communicating complex retirement and risk management-related issues to a variety of audiences, including federal and state regulators and legislators, industry partners, consumer advocates.
• Ability to operate independently and collaboratively across diverse groups with a strong interest and competency in developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences, including federal and state regulators and legislators, industry partners, consumer advocates.
• Ability to operate independently and collaboratively across diverse groups.
• Demonstrated project management skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Organizational and analytical skills with ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Excellent communication (verbal/written) and interpersonal skills, with experience in public speaking and formal presentations (webinars, podcasts, etc.)
• Broad exposure to issues within the retirement and pension space, at both the federal and state levels with an awareness of international activity.
• Overall resourcefulness and ability to take initiative.
• Apply sound actuarial principles and maintain actuarial qualifications while adhering to the Standards of Practice as promulgated by the Actuarial Standards Board.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics or a related field.
• ASA or EA required, with at least 7-10 years of actuarial experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in consulting, financial services, or risk management.
• Understanding of policy issues in the retirement practice area.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, with experience working with legislative and regulatory stakeholders preferred.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• FSA and/or MAAA designation preferred. Ability to obtain MAAA expected.
• Prior experience in member associations, trade organizations, or as a regulator a plus.
• Project management experience and experience with Asana is a plus.
• Experience in event planning and public sector engagement.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:
  • Public or private pension plans
  • Government-sponsored programs
  • Leveraging advanced analytics, automation, or AI tools in actuarial or financial context
  • Defined contribution or defined benefit plans
  • Multiemployer plans

FLSA Classification: Exempt.