Hybrid Lead Specialist, Financial Analysis – Expense Management

at Transamerica

• Job title: Lead Specialist, Financial Analysis – Expense Management
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: $128,000 - $170,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Cedar Rapids, United States

About the role

• Senior-level role directing Distribution expense strategy at Transamerica. Shape and execute financial analysis to support Distribution leadership team while aligning with Corporate Finance FP&A.

Responsibilities

• Define and operationalize expense levers
• Clearly define and maintain an enterprise-aligned framework for Controllable vs. Non-Controllable and Fixed vs. Variable expense categories
• Translate these definitions into management action levers to defend or grow earnings
• Partner with Distribution leadership to embed this framework into planning and decision cycles
• Build and manage a portfolio of risks and opportunities
• Proactively identify, quantify, and track risks and opportunities across Distribution OpEx
• Actively lead the development of new opportunities, informed by business strategy and operational insights
• Partner cross-functionally to operationalize mitigation and acceleration plans
• Develop dynamic forecasting and projection capabilities
• Design and own transparent, flexible, and data-driven projections to support monthly forecast cycles, annual planning, and long-range strategy
• Enable scenario modeling, sensitivity analysis, and earnings impact quantification
• Enhance ROI analytics
• Increase rigor and discipline around ROI analysis for both recurring management actions and new initiatives
• Establish frameworks for expected vs. realized benefit measurement
• Drive fact-based decisioning for resource allocation and expense optimization
• Deliver clear, succinct, and actionable insights
• Provide senior leadership with insightful readouts on what is changing, why, and recommended actions
• Ensure messaging aligns with Distribution and enterprise strategic objectives
• Influence and challenge stakeholders when needed through strong storytelling and analytics
• Build and run a recurring, reliable, transparent, and insightful monthly OpEx results process
• Partner with budget owners to review results, drivers, variances, and forecasts
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and leadership-ready outputs
• Maintain comprehensive understanding of all expense categories, funding mechanisms, headcount, compensation structures, technology and operations cost drivers, and vendor spend
• Serve as the go-to expense authority for Distribution leadership
• Leverage and extend Transamerica best-in-class OpEx processes
• Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, or improve processes
• Drive consistency and discipline across Distribution expense workflows
• Redesign and manage headcount intake and approval process
• Partner with HR, FP&A, and Distribution leaders to ensure transparent, well-documented, and efficient approval flows
• Evaluate headcount requests for strategic fit, ROI, funding availability, and long-term implications

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or equivalent experience
• Ten years of financial analysis experience, including work in the insurance, financial services or investment management industry
• Strong understanding of controllability, cost structures, ROI methodologies, and driver-based forecasting
• Demonstrated experience advising senior executives and influencing strategic decisions
• Exceptional analytical, problem solving, and data storytelling skills
• Ability to operate with independence, sound judgment, and strategic mindset
• Advanced Excel and financial systems capability; comfort with building models
• Excellent written/oral communication and presentation skills

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Bonus for Eligible Employees
• Benefits Package
• Pension Plan
• 401k Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Disability Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Career Training & Development Opportunities
• Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits
• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Back-Up Care Program
• PTO for Volunteer Hours
• Employee Matching Gifts Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Inclusion and Diversity Programs
• Employee Recognition Program
• Referral Bonus Programs