Manager – Configuration Team

At American Equity we offer leading annuity products that help empower our clients to fulfill their needs and wants in retirement. Our success comes from hiring high-energy individuals who embody the beliefs that drive our unique culture. We currently fund over half a million retirements nationwide, and have been headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, for over twenty-five years with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:  

The Manager, Configuration Team manages platform configuration and testing support for annuity product set up, Marketing/Distributor requests, forms work, Platform Integrations, and Platform enhancements.  Leads team members handling multiple distribution platforms and Turnkey Asset Management Programs (TAMPS) integration with American Equity Life (AEL).   Manages testing for concurrent projects and performs vendor management functions. The manager assigns and supports staff as required and ensures customer requirements and project milestones are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Leads a diverse team of employees with responsibility for managing the employee life cycle and experience, including but not limited to, selection and retention of talent, continuous feedback and performance management, reward and recognition, corrective action and employee development.
• Monitors and ensures the efficient utilization of resources, assigning resources to best meet target dates and quality goals.
• Works closely with Quality Assurance (QA), Programming and Business teams for implementing and testing product changes.
• Supports on-boarding of new Broker Dealers and Banks (or other Financial Services entities) on the distributor platforms.
• Stays current with planned product changes; communicates impacts and work estimates for planning and implementation in accordance with agreed upon target dates.
• Ensures adequate unit testing is performed for product, correspondence and forms changes.
• Tracks assigned projects to ensure team is meeting project commitments and testing coverage is adequate.
• Coordinates product set up and unit testing of product changes on EOO platforms.
• Serves as a resource for platform expertise in the company.
• Manages vendors; processes invoices and SOW’s with platform vendors, DTCC and clearing firms.
• Participates in carrier forums to keep current on industry changes so American Equity can respond timely.
• Participates in developing and monitoring project budgets.
• May attend external meetings, conferences and seminars.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Reports: Four (4) Configuration Analyst and Configuration Team Lead.

General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs):  None

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems / technology related field of study; plus a minimum of five (5) years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior team lead or supervisory experience required.
• Experience working in the Insurance Industry and with annuity products.
• Prior experience with DTCC, B2B processing, ETL processing and distributor platforms preferred.
• Extensive experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Knowledge of Annuity Industry platforms like Affirm, AN4, Firelight, iCapital, FIDx, Luma, etc.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

N/A 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to effectively relay information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Leadership skills including the ability to mentor and build a strong team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Ability to work cooperatively and successfully with co-employees, customers, and other outside third parties.
• Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to build and maintain networks.
• Strong project management and research skills.
• Mathematical skills with keen attention to detail.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft applications and a variety of software.
• Takes initiative with ability to follow-through.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to apply analytical, innovative and evaluative thinking.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• Ability to travel 5 % of the time