Senior Benefits Consultant, National Accounts

About the role

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants is a fast-growing firm in the insurance industry, driven by capable and committed professionals who share common beliefs and values. Headquartered in New York City and founded in 2007, EPIC has over 4,000 employees nationwide, with locations across the U.S. supporting clients' regional and global needs. This hybrid role can be located at any US-based EPIC Insurance Brokers office.

Responsibilities

• Ensure client satisfaction, overall service delivery, and relationship management.
• Develop and present innovative, customized strategy solutions to optimize complex clients’ benefit programs and services.
• Support business development opportunities and mentor Consultants and Associate Consultants.
• Manage vendor relationships for Health & Welfare vendors.
• Leverage data and analytics to develop short- and long-term strategies.
• Identify actionable cost containment and quality improvement solutions.
• Manage procurement projects, RFPs, and implementation of vendors, products, and services.
• Measure and report on program outcomes.

Strategy Development Functions

• Support development and execution of benefit program strategic initiatives for large, self-funded, complex clients.
• Develop and implement cost containment strategies for medical, prescription drug, and disability programs.
• Evaluate services to optimize claim and utilization trends across the employee benefit ecosystem.
• Conduct opportunity analysis to identify critical strategic initiatives.
• Organize, develop content, and facilitate client meetings.
• Communicate industry trends, benchmarks, emerging products, and innovative vendors to clients.
• Evaluate new vendors for client consideration.
• Contribute to process improvement and development of new internal strategic initiatives through collaboration with team members.
• Evaluate emerging local, state, and federal legislative changes to advise clients of potential impacts.

Client Management Functions

• Serve as lead relationship manager and primary contact for clients and their respective vendors.
• Act as project manager for all client initiatives, compliance deadlines, communication, and annual benefit program deliverables.
• Work with client and actuarial teams to ensure timely and accurate execution of deliverables.
• Develop and manage the annual calendar of key milestones and compliance deadlines.
• Proactively communicate relevant regulatory updates and steps for adherence.
• Collaborate with client’s vendors to ensure compliance.
• Review and negotiate vendor contracts and renewals.
• Review plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and SBCs (Summary of Benefits and Coverage).
• Manage procurement and implementation for benefit programs, including preparation, management, analysis, and presentation of RFPs for self-funded and fully insured programs.
• Analyze health and welfare benefit plans through competitive benchmarking and valuation modeling.
• Manage escalated claim issue resolution.
• Oversee 5500 filings.
• Assist in proofing, managing, and delivering communication materials for annual enrollment and benefit-related activities.
• Maintain key documents and data in corporate files.
• Perform special projects as assigned.
• Present financial reports or other analyses as needed.
• Determine client report content with the Client Team.

New Business Development

• Participate in new business activities, including assessment strategy development and meetings.
• Develop strategic ideas and initiatives to leverage in new business activities.
• Attend industry conferences.

Personal and Organizational Development

• Set priorities and manage workflow to ensure all goals are met.
• Interact effectively utilizing superior communication skills, impactful collaboration, and guidance to achieve business goals.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of the employee group benefits industry, emerging marketplace developments, legislation, and technology.
• Project a professional image in action and appearance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent educational training or business experience.
• 10+ years of experience, preferably in the insurance/employee benefits/HR area.
• In-depth experience and knowledge of the Health & Welfare Industry, including self-funded medical plans, carve-out prescription drug programs, self-funded dental, self-funded vision, absence management, disability programs, life insurance, health improvement programs, and tax-advantaged accounts.
• Experience managing large (2,000+ employees), self-funded group Health & Welfare clients in a consulting or brokerage environment.
• Experience with full-cycle Request for Proposal process.
• Experience designing cost-effective benefits plans for clients.
• Experience implementing Health and Welfare benefit plans on behalf of clients or employee populations.
• Insurance licensing or ability to obtain licensing after employment.

Skills

• Superior oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Superior problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt and work well with ambiguity.
• Ability to create and execute project plans.
• Personal sense of accountability.
• Comfortable with completing and presenting data analysis for Health & Welfare plans.
• Strong analytic skills with understanding of underwriting and self-funded plan financials.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to concurrently manage multiple client projects and work assignments under aggressive timeframes.
• Entrepreneurial attitude.
• Willingness to be part of a team and cooperate in accomplishing organizational goals.
• Detail-oriented and self-directed worker.
• Creativity and flexibility in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including handling large data sets.
• Ability to effectively interface with internal and external customers, including executive-level contacts.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Understanding of business principles and ability to apply them accordingly.
• High-touch client orientation.
• Open and willing to receive and give constructive critique.
• Ability to train, coach, counsel others, and provide peer review.
• Approach projects in a financially responsible and resourceful manner.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations.

Special Requirements

• Flexibility to work outside normal working hours.
• Travel as needed, including overnight stays.

Pay

The national average salary for this role is $165,000.00 - $195,000.00 in base pay, exclusive of any bonuses or benefits. The base pay offered will be determined based on experience, skills, training, certifications, education, internal equity, and market data.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Managed PTO for salaried/exempt employees (personal time off without accruals or caps); 22 PTO days starting out for hourly/non-exempt employees.
• 12 company-observed paid holidays and 4 early-close days.
• Generous leave time options: Paid parental leave, pregnancy disability and bonding leave, and organ donor/bone marrow donor leave.
• Employee referral bonus program of $1,500 per hired referral.
• Employee recognition programs for demonstrating EPIC’s values, plus additional awards and programs (including trips).
• Employee Resource Groups: Women’s Coalition, EPIC Veterans Group.
• Professional growth & development: Mentorship Program, Tuition Reimbursement Program, Leadership Development.
• Unique benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft & Fraud Protection Coverage, Legal Planning, Family Planning, and Menopause & Midlife Support.
• 401(k) matching, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and wellness & employee assistance programs.
• 50/50 Work Culture: Fosters collaboration, teamwork, and an inclusive work environment.
• Charitable efforts including Donation Connection, Employee Assistance Fund, and People First Foundation.