Principal Financial Analyst

Job description

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it. We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most. Protective is seeking a Principal, Financial Reporting to serve as a strategic finance leader and trusted advisor supporting the Asset Protection Division (APD). This highly visible role will partner with executive leadership and cross-functional business teams to deliver financial insights, forecasting, profitability analysis, and strategic decision support that drives business performance and profitable growth. The ideal candidate combines strong FP&A expertise with business acumen, executive presence, and the ability to translate complex financial and operational data into actionable recommendations. This role reports directly to the VP of Finance and will play a key role in supporting business strategy, financial planning, and operational decision-making across the organization. ### Key Responsibilities: - Develop and maintain financial models supporting earnings, premiums, claims, expenses, and cash flow projections. - Lead forecasting, budgeting, long-range planning, and scenario analyses to evaluate business risks and opportunities. - Analyze business performance, identify emerging trends, and provide actionable recommendations to improve profitability and operational results. - Evaluate profitability across products, distribution channels, dealers, reinsurance structures, and business segments. - Develop and monitor financial and operational KPIs that support business performance and strategic objectives. - Partner with business leaders to assess growth opportunities, pricing initiatives, capital allocation decisions, and strategic investments. - Support business cases, valuation analyses, and other strategic initiatives that influence executive decision-making. - Prepare executive-level presentations, financial reporting packages, quarterly business reviews, and materials for senior leadership. - Translate complex financial and operational data into concise insights for executive and non-financial audiences. - Lead process improvement, reporting enhancement, and automation initiatives across FP&A and finance functions. - Partner with Accounting, Actuarial, Product, Operations, Claims, and Distribution leaders to support enterprise objectives. - Support audit, compliance, governance, and risk management activities while ensuring the integrity of financial models and reporting processes. ### Core Competencies (Skills, Knowledge and Abilities): - Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and business performance analysis capabilities. - Strong understanding of financial statements, profitability analysis, and strategic finance concepts. - Experience developing KPIs and leveraging data to drive business decisions. - Ability to analyze complex business issues and translate findings into practical recommendations. - Proven ability to influence and advise senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders. - Strong business acumen and strategic thinking skills. - Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities. - Ability to work independently, navigate ambiguity, and drive results in a fast-paced environment. - Experience with Power BI, SQL, Python, TM1, Hyperion, Anaplan, or similar analytical tools preferred. - High level of ownership, accountability, and attention to detail. ### Required Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field. - Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in finance, FP&A, accounting, analytics, business intelligence, or related financial disciplines. - Demonstrated experience supporting executive leadership and preparing executive-level financial analyses and presentations. - Experience building financial models, forecasts, and performance reporting that support business decision-making. - Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and strategic planning. - Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and drive cross-functional initiatives. - Experience interacting with and influencing senior leadership. ### Preferred Qualifications: - CPA, MBA, CFA, or other advanced financial credential. - 10+ years of progressive finance, FP&A, accounting, or analytics experience. - Insurance, financial services, automotive finance, reinsurance, warranty, or service contract industry experience. - Public accounting experience, particularly as part of a broader career progression into corporate finance or FP&A. - Well-rounded FP&A experience supporting strategic planning, profitability analysis, forecasting, and executive decision-making. - Experience leading finance transformation, reporting automation, or process improvement initiatives. - Advanced experience with business intelligence and financial planning tools.