VP Corporate Development

VP, Corporate Development

We are driven to do more. More for our customers and the financial professionals who offer our products. If you are driven to do more and love the challenge of pursuing more, Athene is your kind of company. You will find we offer more than the basics to create an inclusive and dynamic work environment at our various locations.

Purpose:

The VP, Corporate Development leads the underwriting and execution of complex reinsurance and mergers and acquisitions transactions that support Athene's strategic growth and maximize long-term value. This leader guides transactions through the full lifecycle—from initial evaluation, diligence and pricing through structuring, approval, execution and post-close integration—while advising senior executives on key financial, actuarial, operational and strategic considerations. Working at the intersection of Athene's retirement services expertise and its strategic partnership with Apollo, this role offers the opportunity to shape high-impact transactions, develop innovative solutions and influence decisions with meaningful enterprise-wide impact. The VP will lead and develop a highly technical team while modeling Athene's BEAM values, People-Centered Leadership principles, sound judgment and a bias for action.

Accountabilities:

• Lead end-to-end transaction underwriting and execution for reinsurance and M&A opportunities, evaluating strategic fit, economics, risks and short-, medium- and long-term value creation.
• Direct the development and review of transaction pricing models, actuarial experience analyses, assumptions, stress testing and structural solutions that improve transaction economics and support sound decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional due diligence and execution in partnership with Actuarial, Finance, Legal, Tax, Compliance, IT, Operations and other subject matter experts, ensuring key risks, dependencies and commitments are understood and addressed.
• Advise executive leadership and approval committees through clear, decision-oriented transaction memoranda, business cases, recommendations and communications that synthesize complex financial and operational findings.
• Build productive relationships with external partners, advisors and counterparties; influence and negotiate effectively while monitoring post-close performance against expected outcomes.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team by empowering others, creating ownership, coaching talent and encouraging innovation, inclusion, calculated risk-taking and a strong risk-aware and ethical culture.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 15+ years of relevant experience across life insurance, reinsurance, corporate development, transaction underwriting, actuarial transaction work or investment banking within financial services; including 5+ years of formal or informal leadership with direct or indirect leadership responsibility, or relevant experience, preferred.
• Deep expertise in life insurance and/or annuity transactions, including reinsurance and M&A, transaction pricing, actuarial assumption setting, liability management, financial modeling and U.S. STAT and GAAP accounting; knowledge of Bermuda EBS, U.S. tax accounting and other global solvency regimes is beneficial.
• Demonstrated success leading complex transactions and multidisciplinary teams, with the judgment and executive presence to influence senior leaders, negotiate with external parties and build consensus around high-stakes decisions.
• Advanced financial and analytical capabilities, including sophisticated Excel modeling; experience with actuarial platforms such as MG-ALFA, PolySystems or GGY AXIS is beneficial.
• Strategic and intellectually curious mindset with strong critical thinking, creativity, adaptability and a bias for action; ability to challenge existing approaches, innovate responsibly and use AI-enabled tools thoughtfully to accelerate analysis and improve decision quality.
• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Finance, Actuarial Science or a related field, or equivalent experience; ASA or FSA designation preferred.

$271,560.00 - $407,340.00 USD Annual

Annual Salary for this role is market competitive. Actual salary for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Depending on the role, a discretionary bonus plan or variable sales incentive may be included.