The Derivative Analyst II or Lead Analyst plays a key role on the Derivatives team, supporting portfolio management and risk management for insurance liabilities. This position is ideal for a quantitatively minded professional with strong capital markets and technical skills who is interested in building, maintaining, and improving derivative hedging models and systems. The role offers exposure to senior leadership, hands-on analytical responsibility, and the opportunity to grow into direct portfolio ownership over time.

Key Responsibilities

• Support derivative hedging programs across variable annuity (VA), fixed indexed annuity (FIA), and other insurance products.
• Develop expertise in derivatives capital markets, including the design and execution of hedging strategies.
• Build, modify, and maintain models and systems used for portfolio management and risk management.
• Collaborate with Derivatives, IT, Risk, and Middle Office teams to ensure effective system design and operation.
• Perform ad hoc research and analysis in support of hedging and portfolio decisions.
• Provide data, analysis, and reporting to internal stakeholders as needed.
• Interpret internal and external issues and recommend solutions or best practices.
• Communicate analysis and results to senior staff and leadership.
• Participate in training, professional development, and ongoing learning related to derivatives, capital markets, and technology.
• Contribute to project-based work supporting enhancements to models, systems, and processes.

Core Competencies

• Derivatives & Capital Markets Analysis
  • Foundational understanding of derivatives, capital markets, and hedging strategies
  • Ability to support the design, execution, and monitoring of derivative hedging programs
  • Understanding of the interaction between market risk, insurance liabilities, and portfolio outcomes
• Financial Modeling & Quantitative Analytics
  • Experience working with financial, quantitative, or actuarial models
  • Ability to run, interpret, and troubleshoot models supporting portfolio and risk management
  • Experience performing scenario, sensitivity, and ad hoc analysis to support decision-making
• Portfolio & Hedging Program Support
  • Support ongoing hedging programs across multiple products, including VA and FIA
  • Ability to provide timely data, analysis, and reporting to Risk, Middle Office, and other partners
  • Comfort supporting day-to-day portfolio management activities and special projects
• Technology, Tools & Systems
  • Experience working within a modeling or analytics technology stack
  • Coding experience with Python and SQL preferred; exposure to C++, C#, R, or similar languages a plus
  • Ability to maintain and enhance systems used for portfolio management and hedging operations
• Communication & Collaboration
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to communicate complex analytical results to senior leaders and key stakeholders
  • Comfortable collaborating across teams including Derivatives, IT, Risk, and Middle Office
• Professional Effectiveness
  • Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and sound judgment
  • Ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
  • Intellectual curiosity, willingness to learn, and proactive approach to problem solving

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative or technical discipline such as finance, mathematics, engineering, actuarial science, computer science, or a related field.
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• Experience with analytics or modeling, preferably in a financial, derivatives, quantitative, or actuarial context.
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• Demonstrated interest in capital markets and risk management.
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• Strong communication skills and a collaborative working style.
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• Ability to work in an in-office environment.
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Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS, MBA, etc).
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• Experience with asset management, capital markets, or derivatives modeling.
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• Actuarial science background or actuarial designation.
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• Understanding of fixed income securities, derivatives, insurance liabilities, and risk management.
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• Coding experience, preferably in Python and SQL; experience with C++, C#, R, or similar languages is highly preferred.
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• Experience working with or supporting senior leadership.
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• Interest in progressing toward portfolio ownership and broader investment responsibility over time.
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$79,500 - $120,000 a year

Protective's targeted salary range for this position is $79,500-$120,000. Actual salaries may vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, job location, skills, and experience. The range listed is just one component of Protective's total compensation package for employees. At the Lead Analyst (P34) level, this position also offers additional incentive opportunities through an annual incentive based on individual and Company performance.

The internal job title for this role is Associate II OR Lead Associate Portfolio Management & Trading. Leveling is determined by the hiring manager based on competency, education, and relevant experience.

Employee Benefits:

We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program. Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health. Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective's platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company's benefit plans.