Employee Benefits Consultant

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients, building strong relationships based on trust and expertise.
• Understand clients' business objectives, challenges, and needs related to health and benefits.
• Regularly communicate with clients to provide necessary updates and address any concerns.
• Lead day-to-day client inquiries, troubleshooting benefit-related issues and coordinating resolution with vendor partners and internal teams.
• Serve as the internal lead in preparing agendas, meeting documentation, meeting notes and next steps and other client-specific documentation, as needed.
• Conduct research on benefits trends, regulations, vendor offerings, and market benchmarks to support strategic recommendations.
• Liaise with carriers and vendor partners to gather information, request updates, and follow up on outstanding items.
• Analyze clients’ benefit plans, claims data, and industry trends to identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings.
• Develop customized strategies and recommendations to optimize clients’ health and benefits programs.
• Work across a collaborative team with internal colleagues, the client’s team and vendor partners to successfully implement strategic initiatives.
• Outline, build and refine PowerPoint presentations, proposals, and client education materials.
• Translate complex benefits information into clear, concise, and visually effective content.
• Lead the collection and review of claims reports, renewal data, and vendor documentation.
• Utilize data analytics tools to track and analyze key performance metrics related to clients' benefit programs.
• Prepare and deliver reports on utilization, cost trends, and ROI, providing insights to drive informed decision-making.
• Lead the renewal process for client benefit plans, coordinating with carriers and negotiating terms to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Analyze renewal proposals and alternative plan designs, presenting recommendations to clients and guiding decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, such as HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, and state insurance laws.
• Stay informed about changes in healthcare legislation and industry best practices, advising clients accordingly.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in employee benefits consulting or account management.
• In-depth knowledge of health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• In-depth knowledge of supplemental health benefits, voluntary benefits and work-life benefits that differentiate benefit plans.
• Strong understanding of healthcare regulations and compliance requirements.
• Industry certifications such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Health Insurance Associate (HIA) are a plus.
• Active Life & Health license is strongly preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to build effective visual presentations and analytical dashboards.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical information to diverse audiences.
• Analytical mindset, with proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Prioritized ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Critical thinking skills, plus the intellectual curiosity to question/test assumptions.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent organization and prioritization skills.

Benefits

• Physical Wellness: Comprehensive medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; fertility benefits; wellness resources; and paid sick time.
• Mental Wellness: Generous paid time off and holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); and a complimentary Calm app subscription.
• Financial Wellness: Immediate vesting in a 401(k) plan; Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options; commuter benefits; and employee discount programs.
• Family Care: Paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave (including for adoptive parents); legal plan options; and pet insurance coverage.