Higginbotham, a privately held, independent insurance and financial services firm that ranks within the top 20 nationwide, has an opening for an Employee Benefits Account Management Team Lead for our San Antonio, TX office.

This team lead will be responsible for assisting in workflow strategy development, deployment and training, collaborating with producers to oversee assigned team including workflows, workload, adherence to agency policies and procedures; also responsible for conflict resolution, performance reviews, expense management and salary administration for assigned team.

Essential Tasks:

• Overall management and support of team and Office Advocates, if applicable
• Interview and evaluate prospective team members
• Coordinate training and guidance regarding department procedures
• Assist in needs assessment and training where needed
• Assist with back up, when necessary
• Participate in disciplinary and termination issues
• Assist with implementation of new procedures and/or changes
• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures of team and Office Advocates, if applicable
• Assists with cultivating efficient operations of the EB department within respective Region
• Assist in resolving workflow issues as they arise
• Remains abreast of employee benefits insurance markets
• Participates in staff recognition
• Audit development, implementation and oversight

For Team Leaders with assigned book of business, the following also apply:

• Acts as primary contact between client, prospect, agency, and producer; represents the agency in handling complaints, arbitrating disputes, or resolving grievances.
• Handles or refers all service requests by our clients
• Initiates and handles marketing of account beginning 120 days prior to renewal date. Gathers the necessary information regarding new/existing accounts and submits this information to the various and appropriate carriers to obtain proposals; investigate carrier products, analyzes and reviews clients’ data to appropriate carriers to recommend appropriate plans and proposals to offer the client.
• Reviews the proposals received for accuracy, works hand in hand with Producer to generate proposal presentation through spreadsheets and proposal exhibits
• Calculates premium and payroll deductions, audit billing statements for accuracy on behalf of clients
• Generates open enrollment material i.e. enrollment guides, election forms, personalized confirmation sheets, enrollment/change forms, power point presentations for client presentations
• Conducts open enrollment presentations in front of an audience
• Processes necessary paperwork for submission to carrier
• Directs a smooth transition from one carrier to another
• Updates all accounts, timely, to maintain files on the agency management systems
• Sets priorities and manages workflow to ensure efficient, timely and accurate processing of transactions and other responsibilities.
• Maintains knowledge of new developments or changes with the various carriers and new Federal/State laws that may affect how our clients must administer their benefit programs, and communicate this information to clients and team members
• Develops and maintains a positive relationship and rapport with each insurance carrier to satisfy our clients’ needs and facilitate the processing of business 

Non-essential Tasks:

• Attends and completes any training sessions or assignments as required
• Performs other related tasks as needed

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Highly motivated self-starter with ability to work independently to accomplish established agency goals
• Ability to work as a team player with a committed positive approach to working through adversity
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with an extreme attention to detail
• Critical thinking skills with ability to use logic and reasoning to identify deficiencies or other concerns
• Ability to adhere to and meet deadlines
• Above average mathematical skills
• Accountable and delivers on commitments
• Exceptional communication skills, both in the verbal and written word, necessary to communicate with clients, carriers and prospects concerning employee benefit lines of coverage
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Products Outlook, Word and Excel preferred; basic working knowledge of Power Point preferred

 Experience and Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Life and Health Agent’s license
• Minimum four years’ experience in account management preferred
• ACSR designation preferred
• Commitment to continuous learning

Location:

• San Antonio, TX

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Repeated use of sight to read documents and computer screens
• Repeated use of hearing and speech to communicate on telephone and in person
• Repetitive hand movements, such as keyboarding, writing, 10-key
• Walking, bending, sitting, reaching and stretching in all directions