ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1909, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is a mutual insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group market products.

Our Purpose: We deliver on our promises across generations with collaboration and compassion.

Vision: NGL: The leader in chosen insurance markets.

Mission: We will win together by:

  • Leveraging our strengths in people, partnerships, and service.

  • Executing with strategic clarity, creativity, and operational excellence.

  • Growing with intent in selected markets.

NGL Strategy:

  • Nurture: Build on our foundation

  • Grow: Pursue intentional diversification

  • Lead: Be the best in our markets

Values: Integrity, Dependability, Collaboration, Compassion, and Growth.

NGL Mindset: G.R.I.T.

  • Growth and Personal Development

  • Resilience and Accountability

  • Initiative, Drive, and Execution

  • Trust in Each Other

2024 Company Highlights:

  • “A” financial strength rating reaffirmed in 2024

  • Over 2.4 million families served to date

  • $365 million in benefits and claims paid

  • 71,325 Preneed claims paid in 2024

  • Serving the community for 116 years

  • Over 1.2 million Life and Annuity policies in force

  • 2024 Best Places to Work, Madison Magazine

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

National Guardian Life Insurance Company has exclusively retained The QTI Group to lead the search for a Vice President, Chief Risk Officer.

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the VP, Chief Risk Officer will establish and own the enterprise-wide risk management program and related activities. This is a hands-on individual contributor, leadership role that will own the risk function and collaborate across all functional areas of the organization. Responsibilities include creating and managing risk function and risk policies for all risk exposures (including capital market, insurance, and operational risks). In addition, this role oversees risk assessments and risk reporting.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Direct corporate wide risk management programs to assure adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal controls to achieve the NGL’s strategic, financial reporting, operational, and compliance objectives. Also assure that all compliance requirements for these programs are met.

  • Identify risk owners, (i.e. those responsible for managing specific risk(s)), and assign ownership where owner is not apparent.

  • Identify and vet known or potential risk with those having purview over them and when appropriate senior management.

  • Develop risk assessment tools along with risk owners to quantify risks that lend themselves to this approach and other assessment approaches for more qualitative risks.

  • Fulfill fiduciary responsibility to the Board of Directors, meeting with the board committee(s) to discuss the adequacy and effectiveness of the risk control systems in place to achieve corporate objectives in financial management and reporting, compliance, risk management and operations.

  • Chair and set the agenda for Enterprise Risk Management Committee meetings, assuring that all significant risks are discussed and key risks are monitored.

  • Keep abreast of and have appropriate involvement in business activities to maintain a comprehensive understanding of how NGL’s various business processes affect each other and help assure effective risk management practices are in place.

  • Work closely with those responsible for managing key strategic and/or pervasive risks

  • Direct special projects as requested by the CFO.

  • Provide risk management awareness and training.

Strategic Responsibilities include providing strategic leadership and direction to:

  • Actively motivate, inspire, and develop key talent by serving as a role model of NGL’s core values, applying effective leadership principles and fostering a positive workplace culture.

  • Collaborate with other leaders to inspire high-performing teams.

  • Champion or sponsor cross-functional business initiatives or improvements and delegate project responsibilities where appropriate to provide growth opportunities for others.

  • Manage day-to-day operational and workforce risks to ensure NGL processes adhere to industry, regulatory, and workplace compliance standards.

  • Create alignment within teams and processes by increasing collaboration and helping other leaders identify talent development paths and opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Core Competencies

  • Deep understanding of Risk Management / Internal Control Frameworks and Standards.

  • Ability to drive risk strategy while also having the willingness and ability to roll up your sleeves to be hands-on in day-to-day risk management activities.

  • Highly collaborative with strong communication skills and ability to work across functions.

  • Demonstrated leadership, people, and project management skills.

  • Quantitative and analytical skills with demonstrated ability to apply to risk, preferably in an insurance environment.

  • Strong understanding of statutory accounting, process improvement methodologies, and information technology.

  • Sound judgment, planning and organizational skills, and decision-making abilities with a sense of urgency.

Education and Experience Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Actuarial Science, Math, and/or Risk Management, or equivalent experience.

  • Fellowship in Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA) preferred.

  • 10+ years of professional experience in risk management in the insurance industry preferred.

  • Demonstrated experience establishing an enterprise-wide risk function.