Consultant, Employee Benefits – Emerging Business Unit

Job Summary

Reporting to the Employee Benefit Practice Leader the Employee Benefit Consultant (EBC) will lead a team responsible for managing and servicing a portfolio of key accounts. Account management responsibility includes employing a consultative approach to analyzing and designing complex health and welfare plans, presentation of renewals, analysis of financials, and marketing for client companies.  EBC is responsible for the strategic oversight of a client’s benefit program and for managing key client relationships, including those with related vendors.  Serves as a business advisor to clients, understanding their business goals and how their benefit programs interface with those goals.  Uses team resources appropriately in delivering superior consulting services to clients. 

Principal Responsibilities

• Responsible for the direct management of small to mid-size group client relationships in the Emerging Business Unit that works in the 100 and under space. The Consultant role is to lead a team that will assure client satisfaction and retention standards are met. Total average portfolio managed representing approximately $1.5M to $2M in expected revenue.
• Analyze and negotiate rate renewals and year-end financials on behalf of clients. Responsible for proactive management of renewal negotiation process in a semi to fully autonomous capacity, through detailed analysis, leadership at regular strategy sessions, establishing client objectives, performing benchmarking analysis and identifying and introducing market trends to provide client with an understanding and justification of renewal action/providing plan design recommendations for future consideration.
• Develop and lead client strategy process to ensure effective development of bid specifications, vendor selection and management of RFP process, analysis and presentation of proposals and recommendations, coordination of finalist/site visits, development of employee communications, implementation and ensuring ongoing service expectations are met.
• Responsible for analyzing employee benefit programs, contribution policy, eligibility, customer, objectives, identifying customer’s budgetary constraints, customer’s servicing and administrative requirements and development of overall benefit plan strategy.
• Responsible for recommendations of alternate vendor relationships, plan designs, and contribution strategies relative to the customer’s budgetary, recruitment and employee retention objectives.
• Responsible for ongoing review of client needs and objectives to identify opportunities to increase revenue of the assigned portfolio, by probing client and introducing additional services and products. Remain current on industry trends and information, new product information, legislation, regulatory requirements, coverage’s, compliance and technology; communicate changes and address issues with clients on a proactive basis.   
• Ensure updated and accurate client information in Benefit Point.
• Preparation and presentation of annual Client stewardship reports.
• Manage a team of Associate Consultants and oversee workflow by establishing project priorities and performance expectations.
• Communicate with Manager/Practice Leader and/or sales team on any issues/concerns impacting accounts.

Other Functions

• Attends various meetings weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly at both Conner Strong and client facilities.
• Participates in sales presentations occasionally.
• Out of state and overnight travel may be required.
• Available as on-call contact outside regular working hours
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Eight (8) to ten (10) years of middle market and/or small to mid-size group Employee Benefits experience gained from a leading brokerage or consulting firm strongly preferred.
• Experience in the analysis and design of Health & Welfare plans. Strong technical knowledge and the ability to effectively develop strategies and negotiate appropriate placements in the marketplace.
• Demonstrated knowledge of both self-insured and fully insured plans, community, manually and experienced rated products.
• Experience with both private sector clients.
• In-depth knowledge of compliance and benefits plan regulatory issues.
• Ability to develop and manage key relationships at all levels within the EB/Conner Strong organization as well as with outside clients, vendors and carriers; flexible in dealing with others.
• Excellent organizational, communication, decision-making, interpersonal, collaborative and consultative skills; proven ability to multi-task under pressure
• Ability to negotiate, influence and meet deadlines with minimal support from supervisor
• Strong business acumen; proven leader with the ability to develop and manage key internal & external relationships.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without Company sponsorship.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent business experience required. Master's degree preferred.

Specialized Knowledge or Licenses

Valid state Life and Health Insurance License required and a CEBS, RHU or CLU designation is strongly  preferred.

Working Conditions

Office environment with moderate noise level; Able to work flexible hours and travel to other Conner Strong buildings and client work sites on a regular basis

Salary for this position ranges from $135,000.00 - $170,000.00. The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, and education. 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.

Qualifying positions will also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, such as participation in family medical and dental insurance programs, 401K plan, and PTO.

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without Company sponsorship.

Conner Strong & Buckelew is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or domestic partnership or Civil Union status, pregnancy, family medical history or genetic information, atypical cellular or blood trait, military service or any other status protected by law.