Sr. Practice Research Actuary

JOB SUMMARY: The Senior Practice Research Actuary enables the SOA Research Institute to create practice research programs that provide valuable research insights to members, the stakeholders and public, provide practice support to SOA sections and communities, as well as assist in raising awareness of the profession. The role will develop, manage, facilitate and implement strategic research programs as established by the SOA Research Institute Board of Directors; develop, manage, facilitate and implement research projects as enacted by groups such as the SOA Research Institute Research Executive Committee, SOA sections or communities, research partners and other key research stakeholders; perform total program management for assigned SOA strategic research program across steering committees, communications and continuing professional development subcommittees; coordinate with research department peers on methods for development, communication and dissemination or research projects; provide support to SOA sections and communities for coordination and connection to SOA activities; and assist with creating professional development opportunities for members. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• For assigned SOA Research Institute strategic research programs or other key research initiatives, be the key staff resource to coordinate projects, plan and manage overall program activities, and coordinate funding and budgets. Coordinate as the key central voice and authority on the program and coordinate with other SOA areas for effective communications of program output and inclusion in continuing professional development opportunities for members and stakeholders. Analyze new opportunities for program research projects, manage their development, and organize and coordinate joint projects that span across research groups. Create and implement the staff and volunteer work plan for the strategic research program. Determine when new studies are warranted and when current studies should no longer be pursued.
• Maintain appropriate and effective relationships with volunteer actuaries who assist the SOA Research Institute in conducting effective SOA Research Institute strategic research programs and for coordination with sections or communities on other SOA activities such as professional development meetings. Formulate approaches to optimize the partnership between staff and volunteers supporting research. Establish the necessary program subcommittees as needed to advance the work of the program, particularly in relation to communication program results and supplying program input for SOA-sponsored continuing professional development activities.
• Assist in developing, supporting and facilitating the overall SOA Research Institute research process. Assist in creating processes that enhance tracking of projects and overall research efficiency. Coordinate and participate in the development, support and timely completion of research projects. Prepare “Request for Proposals” to help the SOA Research Institute to determine researchers to perform projects. Serve as primary staff member for administration of agreements with contractors, SOA legal counsel and SOA management to ensure appropriate vendor contracts are approved and initiated. Assist senior management and legal counsel with strategic agreements for research partnerships, including evaluations of opportunities and assessment of reputational risk.
• Assist with practice research support in connection with assigned sections, such as offering strategic guidance to SOA volunteer groups related to general actuarial or practice area expertise; enabling avenues to make connections to other departments at the SOA; use actuarial knowledge and familiarity with SOA governance, reputation management and SOA policies and protocols to offer guidance and judgment when larger or elevated issues arise with SOA volunteer groups; support and offer consultation of professional development meeting content and assist in discussions for the development of SOA professional development meetings; leverage professional network to identify speakers, writers, committee members, and other SOA roles; review and evaluation of meeting session ideas, typically as a first pass of sessions submitted for major SOA meetings to determine appropriateness and priority relative to other sessions and provide that information to the meeting planning committee; support reviews as needed for written content within the practice area; ensure alignment with SOA policies and procedures and compliance with regulations including anti-trust compliance.
• Manage, develop, and assist SOA staff, both directly reporting and other shared resources, to administer and support research projects.
• Facilitate and lead discussions during project-related conference calls and meetings to resolve issues and advance projects.
• Advise Research Executive Committee in securing funding for ongoing strategic research programs. Provide input from program and research committees, sections and outside entities as needed.
• Assist in developing new research personnel practices, policies and procedures to promote efficient use of staff and resources.
• Attend actuarial and industry meetings when beneficial and relevant to current research projects. Be a lead spokesperson, along with committee volunteers, to make presentations as needed to volunteer groups and/or SOA staff on research project-related topics. Provide feedback and insight as to how the assigned research program can best integrate with other organizations and CPD events.
• Effectively partner with other SOA departments to ensure the proper dissemination of research products.  Collaborate with Marketing and Communications department, as well as external public relations firms, to appropriately promote completed studies.  Upon request, respond to media queries on research-related information.
• Efficiently manage and supervise administration of multiple projects concurrently. 
• Recommend improvements in the organization's practices, policies and procedures to senior management. 

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist other research department staff as needed to help support research department and overall SOA organizational goals.
• Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of the SOA departments and their functional roles. 
• Write or edit articles, as needed, to appear in SOA publications. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (an equivalent amount of training, education and experience will be considered)

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, actuarial science, accounting, economics or a related field
• FSA preferred, or ASA with 10 or more years of experience working in research or section coordination roles 
• 10 years’ experience in actuarial practice related to supported practice areas, with knowledge of products, actuarial services offered and actuarial processes and calculation used.
• 10 years’ experience in project management or team leadership
• Applicable experience in problem solving and financial analysis
• Strong project management and ability to lead teams of peers, volunteers, and demonstrate strong ability to be the lead spokesperson for the SOA in the assigned strategic research program.  Previous experience in managing actuarial and non-actuarial personnel is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES including competencies that may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.

• Ability to communicate effectively with people and other departments.
• Ability to listen, discuss and understand high level actuarial discussions and meet those customer needs.
• Experience in Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint and other related software tools
• Knowledge of predictive analytics programs and uses
• Knowledge of large computer systems and compilation of large bodies of data
• Independent worker with ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects;
• Advanced time management and project management skills 

WORK ENVIRONMENT (environmental and atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.)

• Office environment

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES AND COORDINATION 

• This position may be assigned to directly supervise Practice Research Assistants, Practice Research Administrators and Senior Practice Research Administrators.
• Ability to supervise volunteers and advance projects through the work of others.
• Ability to coordinate responsibilities with other departments and volunteers.

EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM THE JOB (may be representative but not all-inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.)

• Standard office equipment
• Personal computer and printer

PHYSICAL ABILITES that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to self-ambulate

Note: Incumbents are not management/supervisors. Incumbents who have the same title, but Code: SRRESACT are management/supervisors.