Director, Assurance & Advisory Services

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

Details

Kemper is one of the nation's leading specialized insurers. Our success is a direct reflection of the talented and diverse people who make a positive difference in the lives of our customers every day. We believe a high-performing culture, valuable opportunities for personal development and professional challenge, and a healthy work-life balance can be highly motivating and productive. Kemper's products and services are making a real difference to our customers, who have unique and evolving needs. By joining our team, you are helping to provide an experience to our stakeholders that delivers on our promises.

Position Summary:

Kemper is seeking a talented Director to join our Assurance & Advisory Services (A&A) team. A&A plays a key role in helping Kemper achieve its strategic intent, including nurturing and developing future leaders. Our vision is for A&A to provide continuous assurance to senior management and the board on the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and controls through a culture that embraces innovation, analytics, automation, and credible challenge. A&A roles offer significant exposure to multiple areas of our business and all levels of senior management and provide opportunities to identify issues and help make measurable improvements to the Company.

As an A&A Director, you will support A&A leadership by cultivating relationships with leadership of, and understanding the key priorities, risks, and issues within, your assigned business or function. You will use your knowledge of the business and industry (and/or function) to assess risks and prioritize activities. You will play an important role in A&A's strategic initiatives and developing our talent.

Position Responsibilities:

• Manages a team responsible for providing assurance and advisory services, including financial, compliance, operational and/or technology-related engagements, targeted reviews, advisory projects, and issue management activities, to one or more businesses and functions

• Manages highly visible, multidisciplinary engagements, projects, and / or programs; consults on various engagements and complex matters

• Develops and maintains strong business relationships with leadership across Kemper

• Accountable for assessing risks and controls for designated business and functions

• Monitors changes and trends in the industry, business, and regulatory environment and shares knowledge gained with others throughout Kemper

• Builds a risk-based plan comprised of traditional audits, targeted reviews, project-based reviews, and advisory projects

• Responsible for resource management and assisting A&A leadership in overall A&A plan completion

• Effectively communicates with, and educates, process owners and senior management on the importance of controls, an effective control environment, process excellence, and the role of A&A

• Leads the team with integrity and creates an environment where employees feel included, valued, and supported to do work that energizes them

• Provides ongoing coaching and feedback, recognizes, and develops employees, and completes management tasks timely

• Actively engages in advancing the careers of others; may mentor others outside of A&A

• Maintains and builds skills and competence as identified in an individual development plan and, as appropriate, through participation in relevant industry and professional associations

• Is a subject matter expert in one or more specific industries (Corporate Finance, Investments) and / or functions (Financial Operations, Treasury, Investments Front/Middle Office, etc.)

• Is respected and trusted by business leadership; sought out by leadership for advice and counsel

• Leading efforts to automate various processes by developing a deep understanding of source data and end users needs, and then evaluating the design, implementation and oversight of solutions

• Ensuring adherence to US GAAP and internal accounting policies

• Assisting in the Company's evaluation of technical accounting matters, including those related to complex transactions, emerging areas, and adoption of new accounting standards

• Advise on ad hoc projects with members of the Investment group

• Standardize and perform operational due diligence reviews of new and existing third-party asset managers

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

• 10 plus years of work experience, preferably in internal audit, public accounting

• Understanding of both GAAP and Statutory Insurance Frameworks

• Experience with Workday Financials, Blackline and software robots is a strong plus

• 4 years of prior management / leadership experience with demonstrated ability to influence, motivate and develop others

• CPA is required, has (or is pursuing) other a professional certifications, such as CFA, CIA, or CFE

• Strong sense of curiosity and willingness to get a deep understanding of the business and its processes, technologies, and risks to provide value and insights and help improve and achieve our strategic intent

• Strategic, progressive thinking with a keen eye for improving / transforming business process and risk management

• Strong organizational, project management, time management, relationship building, negotiation, and problem-solving skills

• Able to work independently in a fast paced, high demand, environment while managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment experiencing rapid growth and change

• Strong knowledge of internal audit best practices, control principles (e.g., COSO), financial / insurance services processes and operations, risks and risk management, IT general controls, and regulatory requirements

• Proficient in applying internal auditing standards, procedures and techniques, risk management practices, procedures, and industry best practices.

• Proficient in use of data analysis and automation techniques to drive efficiency and effectiveness

• Experience developing people and building the talent pipeline in a growing and changing environment

• Excellent communication skills to interact with varying levels of management and professional staff

• Effective writing skills and strong attention to detail required

• Intellectually curious, analytically strong and embracer of change

• Ability to identify, analyze and solve accounting and operational issues

• Able to influence positive changes to the risk and control environment

• Able to travel up to 20%

• Able to work effectively in a remote environment when necessary

• Familiarity with TeamMate, Visio, Workday, Guidewire, Workiva, and productivity tools such as Microsoft Office

• Experience with Aladdin, eFront, Bloomberg, and Thomson Reuters

• Knowledge of cash market securities and alternative assets

• Experience conducting operational due diligence on and monitoring compliance programs of investment managers

• Knowledge of insurance general account portfolio management a plus.

• Financial services / insurance industry experience a strong plus

• Due diligence, mergers, acquisitions, and/or integration experience

• Advanced degree such as Master's in Accounting or Business Administration

• This position is a remote role and can work from a US based home.

The range for this position is $113,800 to $196,300. When determining candidate offers, we consider experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location among other factors.  This job is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and Kemper benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401k, etc.)

Kemper is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We are committed to supporting diversity and equality across our organization and we work diligently to maintain a workplace free from discrimination. Kemper is focused on expanding our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts to align with our vision, mission, and guiding principles.

Kemper does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Kemper and Kemper will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

Kemper will never request personal information, such as your social security number or banking information, via text or email. Additionally, Kemper does not use external messaging applications like WireApp or Skype to communicate with candidates. If you receive such a message, delete it.

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