Employee Benefits Account Management Team Lead

About the role

Higginbotham, a privately held, independent insurance and financial services firm ranking among the top 20 nationwide, seeks an Employee Benefits Account Management Team Lead for its St. Petersburg, FL office.

Responsibilities

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

Essential Tasks

• 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, analyze and review 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
• 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

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

Benefits & Compensation

• Medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage
• 401K
• Equity prescription incentive plan
• Multiple supplemental benefits for physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing
• Company paid holidays, plus PTO
• Employee Wellness Program