Lead Expense Analyst

Guardian Life Insurance • Boston, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Is the opportunity to join a culture where “We Do the Right Thing,” and “We Courageously Shape Our Future Together” important to you? If so, Guardian is seeking a resolute motivated individual to join our team as a Lead Expense Analyst. The Lead Expense Analyst will be a key member of Group Benefits Expense Management team and will be responsible for developing multi-year financial expense plans and improving operational efficiency within the Group Claims & Service area. Additionally, s/he will support monthly and quarterly financial expense reporting process, highlighting expense variances, providing insight into future trends, and analytical support to senior management. Candidate should possess an analytical mind, an ability to communicate complex ideas across all levels as well as demonstrate a thorough understanding of Guardian’s Oracle general ledger system and reporting environment. This is a high visibility position in the Group Benefits business providing an opportunity to work across a range of areas as part of a team supporting a diverse and interesting set of expense analytics and improvement initiatives. You will Develop/prepare annual expense plans/reforecasts and help formulate templates that will help shape the information and explain the story of expenses as it relates to Guardians overall strategic direction. Work collaboratively with Group Benefits business teams/leaders to develop plans focusing on increasing operational efficiencies while supporting the company’s long-term strategic goals. Check and challenge where appropriate and ensure we fully understand the information given to us and the financial impact. Support the monthly/quarterly financial expense close process and provide detailed variance explanations of actual versus plan and prior periods, highlighting impacts of key drivers. Proactively support the accrual process and monitor our results. Develop and maintain a deep understanding of specific Group Benefits functions and processes and prepare analysis for business leaders. Develop action plans, when necessary, to mitigate current/future plan variances. Coordinate with HR and track headcount movements by business and ensure a clear linkage and understanding related to our Salary costs. Focus on tracking movements and linkage to financial plan. Lead and support planning, analysis and tracking for Group Benefits expense-related efficiency projects. Complete ad-hoc analysis and special projects as they emerge. Demonstrate broad technical expertise and capabilities in Guardian’s Oracle general ledger system and related reporting tools and continually seek opportunities to streamline and automate processes. Possess the ability to collect, synthesize, and report large amounts of data in an efficient way that helps tell the story.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, or relevant business experience.
• 7+ years of financial analysis and planning experience, demonstrating depth of business expertise and analytical aptitude in a complex environment.
• High degree of intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for discovery; actively seeks to build breadth and depth of subject-matter-expertise.
• Strong collaborative skills, proactively seeking to learn from and share with others.
• Ability to work independently and hold self and others accountable for meeting deadlines, reliability of work, managing projects, and solving problems.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Oracle Planning & Budgeting / Smart View.

Nice To Haves

• Insurance industry experience is a big plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop/prepare annual expense plans/reforecasts and help formulate templates that will help shape the information and explain the story of expenses as it relates to Guardians overall strategic direction.
• Work collaboratively with Group Benefits business teams/leaders to develop plans focusing on increasing operational efficiencies while supporting the company’s long-term strategic goals.
• Check and challenge where appropriate and ensure we fully understand the information given to us and the financial impact.
• Support the monthly/quarterly financial expense close process and provide detailed variance explanations of actual versus plan and prior periods, highlighting impacts of key drivers.
• Proactively support the accrual process and monitor our results.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of specific Group Benefits functions and processes and prepare analysis for business leaders.
• Develop action plans, when necessary, to mitigate current/future plan variances.
• Coordinate with HR and track headcount movements by business and ensure a clear linkage and understanding related to our Salary costs.
• Focus on tracking movements and linkage to financial plan.
• Lead and support planning, analysis and tracking for Group Benefits expense-related efficiency projects.
• Complete ad-hoc analysis and special projects as they emerge.
• Demonstrate broad technical expertise and capabilities in Guardian’s Oracle general ledger system and related reporting tools and continually seek opportunities to streamline and automate processes.
• Possess the ability to collect, synthesize, and report large amounts of data in an efficient way that helps tell the story.

Benefits

• At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals.
• Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.
• Inspire Well-Being As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.
• Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits.
• Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level