Chief Operating Officer - World Financial Group (WFG)

Transamerica

Job Family

About Us

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.

Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment - one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

Who We Are

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life.

Today, we're part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what's important to them.

We're empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good - for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

What We Do

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs.

Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It's part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the operating strategy for WFG to successfully align with the vision for accelerated growth. This includes delivering connected digital solutions in the business-to-business marketplace (B2B), finding efficiencies and reducing friction in all aspects of serving our agents, overseeing low-code-business owned configuration team, data stewardship and strategy customers, partners, and future market position.
• Lead all operating activities across WFG and own the execution of strategic initiatives for enhanced agent experiences and profitable outcomes in the US and Canada.
• Drive innovative and integrated API infrastructure technology solutions to support a cloud-native, digital-first operational environment for agents, registered representatives, employees and partners in a client-led, B2B business model.
• Manage all aspects of a multi-million-dollar operational budget, to deliver on goals, to manage within expense guidelines, to drive efficiency, reduce cost and ensure profitable operations while balancing a positive agent/client experience.
• Champion the identification and mitigation of organizational risks within the business unit and agency structures.
• Drive high-quality execution and operational excellence by communicating clear direction and expectations. Build and manage with strong compliance, regulatory & industry ethical standards.
• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of 120+ individuals. Promote and foster employee engagement and well-being by driving collaboration, innovation, transparency, inclusion and trust across the function and organization. Build high performing, diverse teams to meet business needs. Provide superb coaching.
• Represent the Company on industry committees and before regulators regarding various regulatory issues in the US and Canada.
• Serve as a strategic change leader to drive digital adoption for profitable business results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a business field or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 10 years industry leadership experience with deep technology and Agile experience, financial services operations/service delivery, broker/dealer operations, and administration.
• Proven track record of success in leading the operational aspects of insurance and broker dealer distribution serving large networks of B2B agents and financial professionals.
• Tech savvy with proven track record of digital expertise, ensuring integrated API infrastructure for connected and efficient data exchange within the digital ecosystem.
• Solid financial analysis aptitude with ability to dissect and interpret large amounts of information for all facets of the businesses. Exceptional problem solving and negotiating skills.
• Transformational experience driving top line growth.
• Outstanding ability to influence, motivate, and collaborate with all stakeholders.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to articulate and facilitate important messages across diverse audiences (to both internal and external stakeholders).
• Proven experience in the ability to attract and retain top talent in the industry.
• Experience weighing multiple options and making tough trade off decisions that protect the longevity of the organization and properly serve the customer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Entrepreneurial mindset with experience in business development and/or sales to bring strategic and creative vision to the Company and successfully transition to BAU activities.
• Proven executive leadership experience with an insurance distribution organization.
• Life license
• FINRA Series 6, 63
• FINRA Series 7 and 24
• FINRA Series 66 or 65
• SAFe or CSM certification
• Knowledge of Transamerica and Transamerica products
• Experience working with National Financial Services (Fidelity platforms) FMAX, Wealthscape, and e-Money

Working Conditions

• Office or hybrid-remote environment
• Frequent Travel 25 to 50%

This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. The Company may change, add to, remove, or revoke the terms of this job description at its discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.

What We Offer

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees.

Compensation Benefits

• Competitive Pay

• Bonus for Eligible Employees

Benefits Package

• Pension Plan

• 401k Match

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Disability Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Employee Discounts

• Career Training & Development Opportunities

Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits

• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.

• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).

• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars

• Parental Leave - fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.

• Adoption Assistance

• Employee Assistance Program

• Back-Up Care Program

• PTO for Volunteer Hours

• Employee Matching Gifts Program

• Employee Resource Groups

• Inclusion and Diversity Programs

• Employee Recognition Program

• Referral Bonus Programs

Inclusion & Diversity

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We're thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all.

Giving Back

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.

Transamerica's Parent Company

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe.* It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.

* As of December 31, 2023