Employee Benefits Account Manager

Position Summary:  The Account Manager position maintains a professional relationship with our clients through exceptional customer service. Account Managers are assigned a book of business comprised of fully insured and level funded clients. This role is responsible for obtaining clients’ trust by meeting their needs and expectations. They are also responsible for supporting our Producers in producing new business and renewing existing business. Account Managers serve as an advocate to our clients and their employees through positive relationships with the various carriers and continuous education.
Essential Tasks:

• Acts as the 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 accounts beginning 120 days before the renewal date; Gathers the necessary information regarding new/existing accounts and submits this information to the various and appropriate carriers to obtain proposals; investigates carrier products, analyzes and reviews clients’ data with appropriate carriers to recommend appropriate plans and proposals to offer the client
• Reviews the proposals received for accuracy, works hand-in-hand with Producers to generate proposal presentations through spreadsheets and proposal exhibits
• Calculates premium and payroll deductions, and 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, PowerPoint presentations) for client presentations
• Conducts open enrollment presentations in front of an audience
• Processes necessary paperwork for submission to the carrier
• Directs a smooth transition from one carrier to another
• Updates all accounts to maintain files on the agency management system when the client changes carriers or a renewal is completed
• 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
• Ensures client accounts are compliant including educating and advising clients, as well as executing on compliance requirements and deadlines
• Develops and maintains a positive relationship and rapport with each insurance carrier to satisfy our clients’ needs and facilitate the processing of business
• Maintains agency files accurately and consistently
• Processes incoming mail requests accurately and swiftly
• Attends and completes any training sessions or assignments, as required
• Perform other related tasks as needed

Core Competencies:

• Ability to Analyze and Solve Problems: Skill in recognizing challenges, exploring options, and implementing effective solutions in a timely manner
• Attention to Detail: A strong focus on completing tasks and projects accurately and thoroughly
• Communication Skills: Capable of expressing ideas clearly in both verbal and written forms and engaging with various audiences
• Timely Task Completion: Ability to finish tasks and projects efficiently, managing resources and priorities effectively
• Team Collaboration: Willingness to work together with others, promoting teamwork and supporting shared goals
• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and addressing the needs of clients and stakeholders to ensure their satisfaction
• Dependability: Acknowledgment of the importance of being present and punctual
• Creative Thinking: Openness to suggesting new ideas and methods to improve processes and outcome
• Organizational Skills: Capability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Adaptability: Willingness to adjust to changing situations and priorities, showing resilience in a dynamic work environment

Experience and Education:

• 5 years of Employee Benefits and Account Management experience in the insurance field required, including a strong understanding of current employee benefits, regulations, and industry standards
• Experience with Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) preferred
• Experience with fully insured financial arrangements and alternative-funding methods preferred
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development

Licensing and Credentials:

• Active Life & Health License required
• Industry-related designations preferred

Systems:

• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Applied Epic experience preferred, but knowledge of similar Account Management System (AMS) is acceptable

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

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies: To protect the interests of all parties, Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc., and our partners, will not accept unsolicited potential placements from any source other than directly from the candidate or a vendor partner under MSA with Higginbotham. Please do not contact or send unsolicited potential placements to our team members.