Associate Consultant, Employee Benefits at Conner Strong & Buckelew

<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Department: </strong>Employee Benefits</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Job Summary </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Working with an Employee Benefit Consultant the Associate Consultant will be responsible for assisting in servicing a portfolio of accounts. Serves as a key member of the service team, and must understand the client’s business goals and how their benefit programs interface with those goals. Focuses heavily on analysis of plans and other financials evaluation of product lines and conducts trend and cost analysis of claim history. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Principal Responsibilities </strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Responsible for supporting the EB Consultant as a key member of the service team to assure client satisfaction and retention standards are met. Total average portfolio serviced representing approximately $1,500,000 - $3,000,000 in expected revenue.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Analyze and negotiate rate renewals and year-end financials on behalf of clients, by collaborating with EB Consultant. Responsible for proactive preparation for renewal negotiation process through detailed analysis of client objectives, performing claims experience and benchmarking analysis and identifying and introducing market trends to provide clients with an understanding and justification of renewal action.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Participate in 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, to ensure ongoing service expectations are met.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Responsible for analyzing employee benefit programs, contribution policy, eligibility requirements and client objectives. Must operate within client’s budgetary constraints and client’s servicing and administrative requirements in order to develop plan design recommendations.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Participate in conjunction with EB Consultant in developing recommendations of alternate vendor relationships, plan designs, and contribution strategies relative to the customer’s budgetary, recruitment and employee retention objectives.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">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.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Look for opportunities to increase revenue with in the portfolio.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Preparation and presentation of reports.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Update and access Benefit Point as needed.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mentor Client Service Associate and serve as a back up to Associate Consultants and Employee Benefit co-workers on other service teams.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Communicate with Employee Benefit Consultant and/or sales team on any issues/concerns impacting accounts.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Other Functions</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Attends various meetings weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly at both Conner Strong and client facilities.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Available as on-call contact outside regular working hours</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other duties as assigned</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Requirements</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Minimum of 5 years of middle market and/or large group Employee Benefits service experience gained from a leading brokerage or consulting firm strongly preferred.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience in the analysis and design of Health &amp; Welfare plans. Strong technical knowledge and the ability to effectively develop strategies and negotiate appropriate placements in the marketplace.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Demonstrated knowledge of both self-insured and fully insured plans.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience with both private and public sector clients.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience in plan cost analysis, claim analysis and reconciliation and evaluation of financials.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In-depth knowledge of compliance and benefit plan regulatory issues.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ability to develop and manage key relationships at all levels within the EB/Conner Strong organization as well as with outside clients and carriers; flexible in dealing with others.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Excellent organizational, communication, decision-making, interpersonal, collaborative and consultative skills; proven ability to multi-task under pressure</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ability to negotiate, influence and meet deadlines with minimal support from supervisor</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong business acumen; proven leader with the ability to develop and manage key internal &amp; external relationships.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bachelor's degree or equivalent business experience required.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without Company sponsorship.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Specialized Knowledge or Licenses</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Valid state Life and Health Insurance License required and a CEBS, RHU or CLU designation is strongly&nbsp; preferred.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Working Conditions </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Salary for this position ranges from $70,000.00 - $120,000.00. 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.&nbsp;</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Qualifying positions will also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, such as participation in family medical and dental insurance programs, 401K plan, and PTO.&nbsp;</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>#LI-HYBRID</em></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class="content-conclusion"><p><em>Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without Company sponsorship.</em></p> <p><em>Conner Strong &amp; 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.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div>