Associate Consultant

Department: Employee Benefits

Job Summary

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.

Principal Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Look for opportunities to increase revenue with in the portfolio.
• Preparation and presentation of reports.
• Update and access Benefit Point as needed.
• Mentor Client Service Associate and serve as a back up to Associate Consultants and Employee Benefit co-workers on other service teams.
• Communicate with Employee Benefit Consultant 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.
• Available as on-call contact outside regular working hours
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Experience with both private and public sector clients.
• Experience in plan cost analysis, claim analysis and reconciliation and evaluation of financials.
• In-depth knowledge of compliance and benefit 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 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).
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent business experience required.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without Company sponsorship.

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.

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.