Jobs › Marsh McLennan

Sr. Principal Lead Health Actuary Consultant

Marsh McLennan · Chicago, IL · $158,800–$261,300 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found an error in a junior analyst's work before it reached the client.

What they are checking: Review discipline and how they coach rather than just correct.

Tell me about a time you presented a difficult financial result to a client's CFO.

What they are checking: Clear, calm communication of bad news to a senior financial audience.

How do you develop analysts and associates so they grow toward your level?

What they are checking: Leadership and investment in team growth, which the role expects.

What would you do

A carrier's renewal comes in at 14 percent and your projection says 8 percent. How do you handle the negotiation?

What they are checking: Using actuarial evidence to push back on a carrier's assumptions effectively.

How would you help a client decide between carriers when one is cheaper but has a weaker network?

What they are checking: Weighing price against access and disruption, not just choosing the lowest bid.

About the work

Walk me through an IBNP valuation for a self-funded employer. What can make it go wrong?

What they are checking: Command of completion factors, lag patterns and the effect of large claims or processing changes.

How do you project next year's health plan costs for a 10,000-life employer?

What they are checking: Clear method for base experience, trend, plan changes, large claim pooling and credibility.

How do you set employee contributions so they are affordable and still meet the employer's budget?

What they are checking: Balancing cost sharing, tiers, affordability rules and employee impact.

How do you evaluate a well-being initiative's financial impact without overstating it?

What they are checking: Honest measurement and awareness of selection bias in wellness program results.

What part of plan design optimization do clients most misunderstand?

What they are checking: Depth of plan design knowledge and the ability to explain tradeoffs in plain terms.

How are you using AI or technology tools to speed up actuarial work while protecting accuracy?

What they are checking: Whether they modernize their work with new tools while keeping strong checks on actuarial soundness.

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The full job description

As published by Marsh McLennan.

Company: Mercer Description: We are seeking an experienced Health Actuary Leader to join our Actuarial and Financial Consulting team, part of our People and Investment business at Marsh. This role will be based in and of our US office locations. This is a hybrid role that has a requirement of working at least three days a week in the office. As a Sr. Principal Lead Health Actuary Consultant , you'll manage client projects focused on employers’ health benefits strategies, including financial projections, carrier selection, plan design optimization, employee contribution setting, IBNP valuations, benchmarking, well-being initiatives, and renewal negotiations. You’ll create deliverables, provide direction to analysts and associates, and serve as one of the primary financial client contacts, while also presenting deliverables to clients in partnership with senior members of the client teams. We will count on you to: • Lead routine client engagements, including managing overall service delivery, strategy, financial evaluations, plan design, renewal, business placement, benchmarking and other projects associated with underwriting health and welfare insurance, brokering contracts or projecting health care related costs. • Review the data analyses that are conducted by junior staff members to ensure actuarial soundness, correct use of models or products, and to assist in the development of junior staff members. • Thrive and be motivated by an environment that embraces AI and technology-enabled tools. • Perform and review complex analyses and cost projections by using or modifying existing products, tools, and pricing models in Excel, SAS, and other software with potential specialization in certain areas of health care related insurance. • Draft and review client reports or presentations to summarize findings and implications, and to recommend a strategy, solution, or plan design to the client What you need to have: • BA/BS degree in actuarial science, math, statistics, finance, economics or related field required • 15+ years’ experience working in an actuarial field, consulting experience preferred • ASA/FSA credential • Strong analytical skills, both quantitative and qualitative, and working knowledge of Microsoft Office—Word, Excel, and PowerPoint • Proven project management skills and creative problem-solving abilities • Ability to work in teams and be flexible to work under tight deadlines and changing client needs The applicable base salary range for this role is $158,800 to $261,300 The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives. Applications with be accepted through October 30. Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X. Marsh is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, veteran status (including protected veterans), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting reasonableaccommodations@marsh.com. Marsh is committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All Marsh colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one “anchor day” per week on which their full team will be together in person.

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