Benefit Consultant

About the role

The Account Manager works closely with GBS Consultants to support and develop effective employee benefit strategies and programs for assigned clients. The Account Manager is responsible for the day-to-day account management for routine/moderately complex client accounts and manages an assigned book of business.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary contact for all day-to-day service issues and other inquiries for all assigned clients; act as liaison between client and vendors to resolve issues and identify process improvement opportunities.
• Prepare and manage all client deliverables.
• Manage and collaborate with client service team members to effectively on-board new GBS clients.
• Oversee the implementation project plan, facilitate resources and ensure that service deliverables meet sales guarantees and satisfy client expectations.
• Develop and manage strong business relationships with assigned clients in conjunction with GBS Consultant through in-person visits, entertainment opportunities and phone contact at multiple levels within client organization.
• Manage client service plan with corresponding activities and deliverables, including action planning, mid-year and renewal planning and management objective setting.
• Provide guidance on regulatory issues that impact health & welfare benefit plans.
• Analyze carrier reports, benefit plan structures, plan design and industry trends and make appropriate benefit plan recommendations in conjunction with GBS Consultant.
• May be prepared to handle market Requests for Proposals (RFPs), prepare client renewals and negotiate rates with carriers in conjunction with GBS Consultant; may prepare and present alternate benefit options when appropriate.
• Provide consulting to clients regarding health & welfare benefit program plan design and trends within the benefits industry (healthcare, voluntary benefits, etc.) in conjunction with GBS Consultant.
• Aid clients in developing employee communication strategies & materials.
• Be prepared to create and deliver employee communication through technology tools, benefit summaries, webinars, open enrollment meetings and other methods as required and appropriate.
• Provide compliance reviews for clients and make recommendations for changes to bring clients into compliance in conjunction with GBS Consultant.
• Review all new and renewal policies, summary plan descriptions (SPDs) and plan amendments for accuracy (using required procedures) prior to delivery.
• Adhere to BOSS mandatory compliance standards.
• Identify new business opportunities and additional lines of coverage for GBS products and services among the current book of business client.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's degree and 3 or more years client coordination and/or claims management experience, OR High School degree with 8 or more years client coordination and/or claims management experience.
• Licenses required.
• Able and willing to travel approximately 25% of the time.

Preferred

• Experience managing, implementing and renewing small and large group health & welfare plans including medical, dental, ancillary, FSA and COBRA plans.
• Working knowledge of HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA and other state and federal employee benefit regulations.
• Basic understanding of the key challenges in employee benefit plans and current health care trends, including Health Care Reform.
• Basic understanding of key challenges in employee benefit plans and current health care trends, including Health Care Reform.
• Knowledge of key challenges in employee benefit plans and current health care trends, including Health Care Reform.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to quickly determine critical issues.
• Strong presentation skills and confidence in presenting in front of large groups.
• Ability to work under significant pressure in order to handle frequent interruptions and high volume activity.
• Strong organizational, project planning and management, analytical and multi-tasking skills.
• Multi-level relationship building skills.
• Self-motivated; must be able to work independently, be goal and people oriented, with ability to work towards team and individual goals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite – ability to create & deliver charts/graphs, spreadsheets, formulas and presentations utilizing PowerPoint and Excel required.

Benefits

At Gallagher, we believe supporting our colleagues goes far beyond the role itself. For more information, visit our Benefits page. Competitive compensationComprehensive benefits programs designed to support your well-being Career development opportunities and ongoing learning A collaborative, people-first culture with accessible leadership The opportunity to do meaningful work with global reach and local impact At Gallagher, we are dedicated to building an inclusive and authentic workplace. If your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to join our Talent Community to stay connected to additional career opportunities. At times, we will consider transferable skills from previous roles.