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.