Customer Excellence – Process Improvement Intern

At American Equity we offer leading annuity products that help empower our clients to fulfill their needs and wants in retirement. Our success comes from hiring high-energy individuals who embody the beliefs that drive our unique culture. We currently fund over half a million retirements nationwide, and have been headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, for over twenty-five years with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY.

The American Equity Summer Internship Program offers an immersive real-world experience, closely replicating the career journey of an American Equity professional. Each intern will contribute to meaningful, hands-on projects that drive measurable business outcomes, gaining valuable experience along the way.

Interns will also have the opportunity to present their project work to company leaders, network with executives, and participate in educational programs designed to support their personal and professional growth. Additionally, interns will engage in community service projects and social events, building connections with fellow interns and the broader American Equity team.

The internship will be a 10 week program located at our downtown Des Moines office.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:   

The Process Excellence Intern, as a member of the Business L&D Team in Insurance Operations, applies their skills in analytics, process improvement methodologies, and adult learning theory to develop data-driven solutions supporting insurance operations initiatives an ongoing process improvement. This intern works closely with the L&D team to analyze workflows, identify opportunities for optimization, and contribute to projects that enhance both learner experience and business outcomes. The intern provides valuable support to professional staff within organizational functions that align with their field of study and contribute to ongoing projects gaining hands-on experience in a structured, professional environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

•    Shadow Customer Excellence and Insurance Operations team members to learn essential duties and functions of the role.
•    Work within a Center of Excellence (COE) model for supporting business enablement by leveraging company data to drive decisions.
•    Participate in data analysis to create solutions and improve outcomes across Insurance Operations for both internal and external stakeholders.
•    Collaborate with business partners and develop novel ways to meet objectives utilizing data, cutting edge techniques, and tools.
•    Effectively communicate the analytics approach and demonstrate how it will meet business partner objectives.
•    Assist in the implementation of automation or digital tools that enhance training processes and/or learner experience.
•    Ensure adherence to data management and data governance policies and standards. 
•    Completes project and support tasks with guidance from mentor and department leader.
•    Collaborates with fellow interns across departments on a strategic, cross-functional initiative that drives meaningful business impact.
•    Performs other related work as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

•    Actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field such as Learning & Development, Industrial Engineering or, Human Resources.
•    Familiarity with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) is a plus.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Reports: None

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

NA

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

•    Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to effectively present information to stakeholders.
•    Some experience creating and using ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner by defining problems, troubleshooting problems, collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions.
•    Interest in adult learning, instructional design, or business development.
•    Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external partners.
•    Take initiative, follow-through and apply innovation in improving work processes.
•    Proficiency in MS Office; knowledge of data visualization, project management, or e-learning tools is an advantage.
•    Strong organizational and planning skills.
•    Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
•    Learn quickly when faced with new challenges and situations; analyze success and failures.
•    Demonstrates a high level of accountability setting personal goals and working to align these with business activities; work in an organized matter.

DISCLAIMER
This description covers the major purpose and essential functions of the job. It is not intended to give all details or a step-by-step account of the way each task is to be performed. Employees may receive other job related instructions and be required to perform other job related work requested by their manager. All requirements are subject to possible modification to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

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