Benefits Specialist, Workforce Benefits Account Management - South/Central Region

About the Role

As a Benefits Specialist, you will act as an account manager in the 100-499 lives block of business. You will support assigned Regional Executives and Voluntary Sales Executives for the Life, Disability, Absence Management, and Supplemental Health product lines for in-force business. You will manage relationships with assigned new and existing customers, grow the business, and resolve issues as they arise. The position involves having a working understanding of the external marketplace, generating profitable revenue growth by retaining existing customers, expanding business, and achieving customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the designated primary service contact for a book of business consisting of accounts ranging in size from 100-499 lives.
• Provide excellent customer service and respond to customer inquiries received by 2pm on the same day.
• Build strong relationships and collaborate with internal partners to address service inquiries and provide consultative support.
• Partner with Implementation Managers to successfully implement new business.
• Manage all day-to-day service work including Agent of Record changes, licensing updates, amendment activity, complex billing resolutions, data feed set-up, claim escalation resolution, and supporting enrollment events.
• Manage client education around products and services, GO portal, and general Symetra processes.
• Attend face-to-face meetings occasionally with customers, including benefit fairs, enrollment meetings, and finalist presentations (up to 5% travel).
• Work in partnership with assigned Regional Account Manager on cases 5,000 lives and above to create a dedicated service "team" approach.
• Collaborate with Regional Sales Executives on book of business to identify business growth opportunities.
• Drive proactive service touchpoints with customers and track key activities to demonstrate value to clients.
• Work across the organization to resolve issues and provide solutions to clients as the primary liaison.
• Manage the renewal process for the designated book of business, including requesting renewal census for underwriting review, coordinating renewal receipt from underwriting, and delivery in partnership with sales executives.
• Negotiate on behalf of the client and/or broker with underwriting, using knowledge of current small business renewal strategies.
• Communicate group renewal decisions to required departments.
• Ensure a focus on continued learning as the industry and customer needs evolve, and new products and services become available.
• Participate in special projects and/or committees with a goal of continual process improvement.
• Manage implementations from a customer-facing perspective for state-mandated coverage (TDB, DBL, PFL, TDI, etc.).
• Attend implementation calls for new customers in your block of business.

Qualifications

• Sales aptitude and ability to communicate contract provisions to customers.
• Good verbal, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage effective communication.
• Proficient in computer skills, familiar with Windows XP (including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook).
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ongoing self-development.
• Strong customer service skills for both internal and external customers.
• Ability to be persistent while maintaining professionalism in obtaining information to quote, renew, and issue contracts.
• Mathematics aptitude.
• Ability to make independent decisions.
• Problem identification, independent problem-solving, and creativity.
• Knowledge of all group distribution products and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Ability to multitask and anticipate customer needs.
• High School diploma required.

Benefits

• Flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements.
• 401(k) plan with immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%.
• Paid time away including vacation and sick time, flex days, and ten paid holidays.
• Community impact through company matching for charitable contributions.

Pay

Hourly pay rate: $29.83 - $49.68 plus eligibility for the Company Annual Bonus program.

Work Authorization: Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization throughout their employment.

Remote Network Minimum Requirements: Minimum internet speed of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, using fiber, cable, or DSL connections. Satellite, cellular broadband, or dial-up connections are not permissible.