Role Overview for VP, FP&A with a Large Insurance Company – Hartford, CT
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, large-scale insurance company in their search for a dynamic and strategic Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). Located in the insurance capital of Hartford, CT, this executive leadership role is a pivotal position within the finance organization, reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The successful candidate will be a key business partner to the executive leadership team, providing critical financial insights, strategic guidance, and data-driven decision support to propel the company’s growth and profitability. This is not merely a reporting role; it is a forward-looking, strategic function that will shape the financial future of the organization.
As the VP of FP&A, you will be responsible for leading all aspects of the company’s financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting processes. You will manage a high-performing team of finance professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, analytical rigor, and collaborative partnership across all business units. Your work will directly influence corporate strategy, capital allocation, and operational efficiency. You will be tasked with translating complex financial data into actionable narratives that empower senior leaders to make informed decisions. This requires a unique blend of technical financial acumen, deep industry knowledge, exceptional communication skills, and the executive presence to challenge and influence at the highest levels. If you are a seasoned finance leader with a passion for the insurance industry and a proven track record of driving financial excellence, this is an unparalleled opportunity to make a significant impact on a market-leading organization.
Key Responsibilities of VP, FP&A with a Large Insurance Company – Hartford, CT
Strategic Financial Planning
Lead the development of the company’s long-range strategic financial plan, annual operating plan, and capital plan. Partner with the executive team to model various strategic initiatives and assess their financial impact, ensuring alignment with shareholder value creation.
Budgeting and Forecasting
Oversee the entire corporate budgeting and forecasting lifecycle, including the annual budget, quarterly forecasts, and monthly outlooks. Implement and refine processes to enhance accuracy, agility, and efficiency, ensuring clear communication of assumptions and risks.
Performance Analysis and Management Reporting
Direct the preparation of comprehensive management reporting packages for the executive team and Board of Directors. Provide insightful analysis of financial results, including variance analysis against budget, forecast, and prior periods. Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial metrics to monitor business health and drive performance.
Business Partnership and Decision Support
Serve as a trusted financial advisor to business unit leaders and functional heads. Provide proactive financial guidance, analytical support, and modeling for key business decisions, including new product launches, pricing strategies, operational investments, and expense management.
Team Leadership and Development
Recruit, manage, and mentor a team of FP&A professionals. Cultivate a high-performance, collaborative team environment that emphasizes professional growth, analytical excellence, and a strong service orientation to internal stakeholders. Set clear goals and provide regular feedback to ensure team success.
Process and Systems Enhancement
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the FP&A function. Identify and implement best practices in financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Lead efforts to leverage and enhance financial systems (e.g., ERP, EPM, BI tools) to improve data quality, automate reporting, and enable more sophisticated analytics.
Capital Allocation and Investment Analysis
Develop and maintain robust financial models to evaluate the return on potential investments, M&A opportunities, and other capital-intensive projects. Provide rigorous analysis and clear recommendations to support effective capital allocation decisions.
Investor Relations and External Reporting Support
Collaborate with the Investor Relations and Accounting teams to support the preparation of materials for earnings calls, investor presentations, and external financial reporting (e.g., 10-K, 10-Q), ensuring consistency and accuracy in financial narratives.
Requirements for the VP, FP&A with a Large Insurance Company – Hartford, CT
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field is required. An MBA from a top-tier institution and/or a professional certification such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) is strongly preferred.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in finance, with at least 7 years in a leadership role within a corporate FP&A function. Direct and substantial experience within the insurance industry (P&C, Life, or Health) is a mandatory requirement. Experience in a publicly traded company is highly desirable.
Technical Skills
Demonstrated expertise in complex financial modeling, valuation, and quantitative analysis. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is essential. Extensive experience with enterprise-level financial planning software (e.g., Anaplan, Oracle Hyperion, Workday Adaptive Planning) and business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is required.
Leadership and Management
Proven track record of successfully leading, developing, and motivating a team of finance professionals. Ability to foster a collaborative and results-oriented environment.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex financial information into clear, concise, and compelling narratives for executive and non-financial audiences. Strong presentation skills and executive presence are critical.
Strategic and Analytical Mindset
A highly analytical, strategic, and forward-thinking leader who can see the big picture while also being attentive to detail. Must possess strong business acumen and the ability to connect financial results to operational drivers.
Influence and Collaboration
Demonstrated ability to build strong, cross-functional relationships and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization, including the C-suite. A collaborative and team-oriented approach is essential.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to investing in their employees and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being. This includes:
Competitive Compensation
An attractive base salary complemented by a significant annual bonus and a long-term incentive plan (LTI) tied to individual and company performance.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
A robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your eligible dependents, along with a wellness program, flexible spending accounts (FSA), and health savings accounts (HSA).
Retirement Planning
A generous 401(k) plan with a strong company match to help you prepare for your financial future.
Work-Life Balance
A substantial paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and company-paid holidays, along with a flexible, hybrid work model.
Professional Development
A strong commitment to your career growth with opportunities for continued learning, tuition reimbursement, and support for professional certifications.
Additional Perks
Employee assistance programs, life and disability insurance, and potential relocation assistance for qualified candidates.
How to Apply
This is a confidential, retained search conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a qualified and interested candidate who meets the above criteria, we encourage you to apply for this exceptional opportunity. To begin the application process, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications.
JRG Partners is a leader in executive search for the finance and accounting sectors. To explore other senior-level opportunities and learn more about our expertise, please visit our Accounting & Finance Practice Area. We look forward to connecting with you.
