WSP Vice President, Finance

Westfield Specialty is a start-up segment within Westfield Group, an Ohio-based insurer providing both personal and commercial lines insurance for 175 years.  Westfield Specialty launched operations in Q3 2021 with eight specialty products with this product set anticipated to expand over time.

We are looking for an innately curious, deeply analytical, and highly motivated individual to join our Finance team in our Berkeley Heights, NJ office.

This role reports directly to Westfield Specialty’s SVP, Finance and will partner with the team to serve as a business partner to the product line leaders, supporting the achievement of our overall goals and objectives by providing financial planning, forecasting, and analytical support. In addition, this role will partner regularly with a variety of teams cross-functionally as well as within Westfield Corporate. 

• Partner with the SVP in the development of the annual three-year operating budget, working also with the business and functional leaders during this process.

• Assist with strategic planning

• Update forecasts monthly based upon new developments, changes in assumptions, and business trends

• Provide budget-to-actual variance analyses for monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for the segment, as well as functional and cost center levels

• Assist in creation and production of monthly operating reports to be used in monthly business reviews with segment President and leadership as well as quarterly business reviews with Westfield Corporate and segment leadership.

• Partner with functional/department leaders, through financial modeling and Pro-forma analyses, to support strategic decision making with day-to-day operations and new initiatives

• Own and socialize finance calendar with business leadership teams and Westfield Corporate to ensure business operations are aligned with finance deliverables

• Support business development activities with financial modeling for strategic partnerships, collaboration programs, and licensing activities

• Assist with in-depth capital budgeting and investments analyses

• Build, evolve, and publish regular KPI/metric reporting to track results and identify trends

• Develop sustainable financial systems and processes to support the Specialty segment effectively and efficiently

• Leverage Corporate resources as appropriate

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.

• BA/BS in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting with CPA and/or MBA, preferred

• Minimum of 4-5 years experience working in an FP&A capacity, preferably in the insurance industry

• Strong, working knowledge of accounting principles and financial concepts

• Ability to anticipate issues, ensure data integrity and accuracy of details while being capable of higher-level interpretation and explanation

• Demonstrated history of financial modeling with business partner mindset

• Mission-driven, enthusiastic to learn and grow; team-oriented with a positive attitude

• Ability to work collaboratively and influence people at all levels of the organization and make actionable recommendations and follow through on execution

• Demonstrated problem-solving techniques and analytical skills

• Advanced Excel modeling skills

• Proficiency with PowerPoint

• Prior experience in a startup with an understanding of how to scale business systems is a plus

• Excellent organizational skills

• Experience operating with candid transparency, professionalism, strong emotional intelligence, and the highest degree of integrity

• ACAS or FCAS preferred. Will consider students taking exams

• Minimum of 4 years of actuarial/insurance experience required

• Ability to work independently and take initiative. Ability to identify and resolve problems, think creatively, strategically, and analytically

Westfield Specialty is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.