MetLife

Senior Contract Development Consultant

For over 150 years, MetLife has continuously sought to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our customers and our communities.  Today, MetLife continues its purpose “Always With You, Building a More Confident Future”. 

The Retirement & Income Solutions (“RIS”) business is part of MetLife’s U.S. Business.  RIS delivers business-to-business retirement and benefit funding solutions in specialized financial and insurance markets. RIS is a leading provider of stable value products, structured settlements, annuities for employer sponsored plans and life insurance funding products. As part of the RIS Contracts team, this role works closely with the product, sales and legal teams to develop and file contracts and related documents for new and existing products.

This role is primarily responsible for developing, filing with regulatory authorities, and issuing forms and managing projects for the RIS organization. Forms primarily include contracts, amendments, certificates, letters of agreement, and separate account memoranda of operations.

Key Responsibilities 

• Prepare complex detailed documentation to support stable value business in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Address non-standard assignments and devise solutions without precedent.
• Develop and issue forms ranging from complex product structures to very complex and hybrid product structures to support new and existing products within RIS. Determine variations in forms to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Prepare filing submission documentation, prepare responses to insurance regulators’ questions and requests, and negotiate approvals with state insurance departments. Establish a strong working relationship with insurance regulatory personnel to secure timely approvals that address product and compliance needs.
• Effectively use technical applications including the SERFF electronic filing system and the Icertis contract lifecycle management application, to accomplish business needs and recordkeeping requirements.
• Assist in the analysis of proposed and enacted laws and regulations to identify required compliance activities.
• Provide technical product support in analysis of critical new product ventures and due diligence.
• Draft and coordinate the development of investment management agreements associated with MetLife separate accounts.
• Demonstrate high level of impact and influence when collaborating with other internal MetLife departments or when negotiating with outside state insurance departments.
• Research and respond to internal and external customer questions regarding contract features and compliance. 
• Coordinate cross-functional projects; lead and assist on special initiatives requiring project management skills, as required.
• Collaborate with team to develop and maintain best practices from an efficiency and governance point of view.
• May provide training and technical product support to team members.

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills 

Required:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent business experience.
• Advanced level of contract knowledge, technical writing skills and understanding of the insurance industry and product lines.
• Knowledge of the regulatory requirements and procedures for the development and filing of compliant contract forms associated with group annuity business.
• Strong customer focus.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and research skills to handle complex issues.

• Attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to multitask.

• Self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic, while being Outcome-focused and deadline oriented.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to engage constructively with associates of various disciplines and levels as well as with insurance department regulators.
• Ability to interact and work collaboratively and constructively with the immediate team and with people at various levels within RIS and with regulators at state departments of insurance.
•  Strong interest in identifying opportunities for continuous improvement, including digital/automated business solutions, integrating technology and process improvements.

Preferred:

• Paralegal or similar legal experience.
• 4-8 years of contract development, compliance, legal or relevant business experience.
• Experience working with the Stable Value product
• Knowledge of the qualified and non-qualified plan marketplace and retirement and savings benefit programs (defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans) and ERISA.
• Finance degree.