Health & Benefits Actuarial Consultant
Selby Jennings
San Diego, CA (In Person)
Full-Time
Skill Insights
Compare your current skills to what this opportunity needs—we'll show you what you already have and what could strengthen your application.
Job Description
Position Overview The Health & Benefits Actuary plays a critical role in delivering advanced analytical and financial insights to support employee benefits strategies. This position combines deep actuarial expertise with client-facing consulting responsibilities, helping organizations design, fund, and optimize their health & welfare programs. The Actuary partners with consultants and client teams to translate complex data into actionable recommendations, supporting strategic decision-making around healthcare cost management, risk, and plan performance. Key Responsibilities Actuarial Analysis & Financial Modeling Develop and maintain actuarial models to project healthcare costs, trends, and plan liabilities Perform claims analysis, experience rating, and utilization studies to identify cost drivers Analyze and validate insurer underwriting and pricing assumptions Support financial evaluations of funding strategies, including fully insured, level-funded, and self-insured arrangements Conduct reserve analyses, IBNR calculations, and risk projections Client Advisory & Consulting Translate complex actuarial findings into clear, actionable insights for clients Support consultants in developing strategic recommendations on plan design, contributions, and cost management Participate in client meetings to present financial analyses and answer technical questions Advise on long-term healthcare strategy, trend management, and financial risk mitigation Renewals & Market Strategy Lead or support the financial component of the renewal process, including projections, pricing analysis, and negotiation strategy Evaluate carrier proposals and alternative solutions to ensure competitive positioning Develop cost scenarios to support client decision-making during renewals Plan Design & Strategy Development Model the financial impact of proposed plan design changes (e.g., deductibles, copays, networks, contributions) Evaluate the effectiveness of cost-containment solutions such as wellness programs, care management, and point solutions Support clients in optimizing benefit offerings to balance cost, coverage, and employee experience Data & Reporting Ensure accuracy, integrity, and consistency of large datasets used in analysis Develop dashboards, reports, and visualizations to communicate results effectively Leverage internal tools, actuarial software, and data platforms to enhance insights Collaboration & Team Support Partner closely with Benefits Consultants, Account Managers, and Producers to deliver integrated client solutions Mentor junior analysts and actuarial staff, reviewing work for quality and accuracy Contribute to knowledge-sharing and development of best practices across the practice Compliance & Industry Trends Stay current on healthcare trends, regulatory developments, and actuarial methodologies Ensure analyses and recommendations align with relevant regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA) Contribute to thought leadership and internal/external publications Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field 4-8+ years of actuarial experience in health & benefits consulting, insurance, or related field Progress toward ASA/FSA designation (or equivalent) Strong proficiency in actuarial modeling, data analysis, and Excel (advanced) Experience working with large healthcare datasets and claims data Preferred ASA or FSA designation (or international equivalent) Experience in a consulting or brokerage environment Familiarity with programming tools (e.g., Python, R, VBA, SQL) Exposure to pharmacy (Rx) analytics and trend management Experience presenting to clients or senior stakeholders Key Competencies Advanced analytical and quantitative skills Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to non-technical audiences Attention to detail and strong problem-solving capabilities Business acumen and understanding of healthcare economics Collaboration and team orientation Intellectual curiosity and continuous learning mindset Success Profile A successful Health & Benefits Actuary is a technical expert and strategic partner -someone who can turn complex healthcare data into meaningful insights, influence client decisions, and enhance overall consulting value through rigorous analysis and clear communication.