Overview
At MassMutual, actuaries play a key role in the company’s strategic decision-making. They support our expanding client base by developing innovative products, identifying new market opportunities, and driving initiatives that fuel business growth.
Our actuarial team draws intellectually curious individuals who want to work somewhere where they’re empowered to make change. At MassMutual you’ll find challenging and impactful work, a culture of recognition, and a supportive growth environment.
Job Description
Head of Model Risk Management
Model Risk Management, Enterprise Risk Management
Full Time
Boston, MA or Springfield, MA
The Opportunity
Models inform critical decisions across strategy, risk, finance, product, and capital. As MassMutual expands its use of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and quantitative models, strong model risk management is essential to sound governance and responsible growth.
The Head of Model Risk Management will lead MassMutual’s enterprise model risk framework and advise senior management on key model risks. This leader will help ensure models are fit for purpose, well governed, and aligned with regulatory expectations and risk appetite.
This role is ideal for an actuary who brings technical depth, sound business judgment, and strong collaboration skills. The successful candidate will lead model governance, validation, and regulatory engagement while helping business partners make clear, risk-informed decisions.
The Team
The Model Risk Management team provides enterprise model governance, oversight, validation, and monitoring to support sound model use across MassMutual.
The Impact:
You will set the direction for model risk management and help protect MassMutual’s reputation and financial strength. You will partner with senior stakeholders and model owners to oversee models used in pricing, valuation, financial reporting, risk management, data science, investments, and capital. You will also ensure quality and consistency of independent validations.
This is a high-impact opportunity for a collaborative, business-minded actuary with strong analytical judgment and leadership skills.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead MassMutual’s enterprise model risk management program
- Own and improve model risk policies, standards, validation methods, inventory expectations, and issue management practices
- Develop and implement the strategy for AI tool use in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of model risk management
- Set risk-based validation plans and complete timely independent validations
- Ensure consistency, auditability, and alignment with governance requirements
- Lead reporting to senior leadership on model risk exposures, emerging risks, and remediations
- Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team of model validation and model risk professionals
- Partner with Enterprise Risk Management and business teams to strengthen model risk culture, controls and accountability
- Monitor regulatory, industry, and analytical developments and translate them into practical governance improvements
The Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, statistics, mathematics, physics, data science, or another quantitative field
- Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA)
- 10+ years of financial services experience, including significant work with actuarial, financial, risk, or product models
- 5+ years of experience presenting complex topics to senior leaders, committees, auditors, or regulators
- 5+ years of experience influencing strategy or senior decision-making
The Ideal Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on actuarial modeling experience, such as model development, implementation, validation, governance, assumption-setting, or model risk management
- 5+ years of people leadership
- Strong understanding of models used in ALM, pricing, valuation, capital, risk measurement, or financial reporting
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex topics and build trusted partnerships
- Familiarity with model risk regulatory guidance, including expectations for artificial intelligence
- Sound business judgment and the ability to provide constructive challenge while maintaining strong relationships
- Strong operating discipline and ability to manage competing regulatory, business, and governance priorities
- Ability to lead through ambiguity and drive accountability across business areas
- Experience leading an enterprise risk management function or materially contributing to a mature risk governance program
What You Can Expect at MassMutual
MassMutual offers the opportunity to do meaningful work within a purpose-driven organization that values long-term impact over short-term outcomes. In this role, you can expect:
- Clear areas of ownership and accountability, with work that connects directly to company and customer outcomes
- A collaborative environment where perspectives are welcomed
- Access to learning, development, and internal networks that support continuous growth and skill-building over time
- Employee-led communities and forums that foster connection, learning, and inclusion across the organization
- A culture grounded in integrity, responsibility, and stewardship—supported by a company with a strong legacy and a future-focused mindset
#LI-LC1
MassMutual is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome all persons to apply.
If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.
California residents: For detailed information about your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please visit our California Consumer Privacy Act Disclosures page.
MassMutual will accept applications on an ongoing basis until such time as a candidate has been offered employment. The job description includes the main duties of this position, which may evolve over time. You may be required to perform other duties not listed.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
Salary Range: $185,300-$243,100
Award-Winning Culture
MassMutual is guided by a single purpose: We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. As a company operated for the benefit of our members and participating policyowners, we are defined by mutuality and our vision to provide financial well-being for all Americans. It’s more than our company structure — it’s our way of life. We are a company of people protecting people. Our company exists because people are willing to share risk and resources and rely on each other when it counts.
We strive to build a thriving community where everyone is valued, included, and feels that they belong.
At MassMutual, we Live Mutual.
How We Work
MassMutual’s flexible workplace approach combines the importance of connecting in person and the flexibility of working remotely. Our hybrid model puts collaboration first with employees coming in at least three days per week to our spectacular campus settings and also enjoying the flexibility of remote Fridays, company-wide remote weeks, and a bank of flexible remote weeks to use throughout the year.
Benefits for the whole you (and your loved ones)
There’s more to your life than your job and there’s more to your aspirations than a paycheck. We take a holistic view of compensation and benefits that provides the flexibility to create a healthy balance in your life for work, family, and community. We offer the benefits you’d expect, like medical, dental, 401(k), and generous vacation time, but we also offer ones you might not expect, like three paid days for volunteering, a $1,250 annual Well-Being Wallet, and up to 320 hours of caregiver leave.
Explore some of our offerings below.
Paid Time Off
- In addition to generous vacation time, paid holidays, and flexible holidays, MassMutual offers 'take care' time to care for yourself or someone you love—whether for physical illness or mental health.
Health & Well-Being
In addition to top-line medical and dental coverage, personalized mental health solutions, on-site and virtual health coaching, and much more, MassMutual reimburses employees up to $1,250 per year for eligible expenses supporting mental, physical, and financial well-being.
Financial Well-Being
In addition to competitive salaries and bonuses, educational assistance programs, and much more, MassMutual offers up to a 10% total 401(k) benefit, consisting of a 5% company match and a 5% annual contribution.
Taking Care
MassMutual offers generous maternity and parental leaves, as well as bereavement leave to mourn the loss of a loved one (and the employee defines 'loved one'). In addition, we offer up to 320 hours of caregiver leave to help employees support loved ones in times of need.
Giving Back
MassMutual offers three paid days for employees to volunteer with eligible nonprofits of their choice, and the MassMutual Foundation matches employee donation dollars to eligible nonprofit organizations up to $5,000 annually.
Commuter Benefits
MassMutual offers a Qualified Commuter Program through which eligible employees can pay qualified workplace commuting expenses with before-tax dollars, as well as a commuter wallet option for employees based at Boston and NYC campuses.