Agency Services Specialist

Sammons Financial Group • Sioux Falls, SD

9h

About The Position

Provide accurate and timely commissions/contracting related support to agents and business partners by responding to inquiries through various communication channels while delivering "Best in Class" Customer Service. Process requests timely with a high level of quality. Support management and team members by resolving escalated issues to ensure completion. Provide guidance to team and other business partners.

Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of all major departmental functions and related systems
• Good understanding of the insurance industry including applicable laws and reporting requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with internal and external business partners
• Strong interpersonal skills include respect, patience, approachability, flexibility and ability to handle interruptions and multiple tasks on a daily basis
• Knowledge of and ability to maneuver through multiple information screens
• High degree of decision making ability using tact and good judgment
• Demonstrate professionalism and an aptitude for problem resolution
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong problem solving skills
• Ability to work efficiently and independently or in a team environment
• Able to adapt to frequent change

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's Degree Preferred

Responsibilities

• Answer a variety of front line/agent facing related requests for all companies while handling with relevancy and accuracy during peak volumes of work in a fast paced, time-sensitive environment.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base of Agency Services including but not limited to: agent set-up and New Business requirements, agent contracting requirements/regulations, product level commissions calculations, bonus structures and new business requirements/regulations.
• Ability to learn and manage tasks across various platforms and systems.
• Meet the required department service standards on a consistent basis. (i.e. individual productivity, processing quality, turnaround time, etc.)
• Maintain multiple job functions such as e-mails, notating files and standard processing in multiple systems while being flexible between high and low business volumes.
• Maintain assigned job functions related to Agency Services transactions including but not limited to: agent contracting set-up, updates to agent information and contracts, annualization and EFT, manage reports, research complex scenarios/inquiries, tax reporting, agent adjustments and agent bonuses.
• Responsible for responding to internal/external business partners and third parties in verbal and written communication using a professional, articulate manner and friendly approach.
• Properly document all action steps and relevant detailed information in system pertaining to processing inquiries.
• Acquire general working knowledge of each department’s job function and all designated service level agreements to manage end user expectations.
• Identify, communicate and proactively work to solve problems or issues before a service breakdown or complaint occurs.
• Work in partnership with distribution partners and internal departments to resolve agent contracting and commission issues and drive customer satisfaction.
• Report escalated issues to senior specialist and/or leadership and log incidents as necessary.
• Demonstrate accountability to ensure necessary corrections are made to resolve problems or complaints.
• Navigate and provide direction to agents to access information via external websites and troubleshoot website display errors.
• Assist management with determining and implementing efficient workflow methods.
• Provide trends and feedback to department leadership to be shared with division and senior leadership, as received through communications with agents. Openly discuss concerns within the area and/or team and provide ideas for improvement. Look for ways to improve a process and/or procedure and openly discuss your thoughts.
• Acquire and maintain working knowledge of company products. This includes staying familiar with the most up-to-date changes to procedures as well as completing any required training courses.
• Drive personal development by independently initiating development opportunities and continued learning.
• Promote teamwork by supporting team members and sharing knowledge; provide feedback and coaching ideas for peer mentoring and personal development.
• Participate in regular team meetings and training sessions.
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Accountability, Connection, Openness, Respect and Integrity).
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA & FSA options, and term life insurance.
• Competitive compensation with a performance-based incentive program tied to clear goals and individual and/or company success.
• Invest in your future with our 100% company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), plus automatic enrollment in our 401(k).
• Work–life balance that means something. Friday afternoons off year-round, generous paid time off, and paid holidays.
• Commit to your growth with paid development time, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities across industry, individual, and leadership programs.
• Make an impact beyond the workplace through volunteer time off, and our company nonprofit matching gift program, supporting the causes that matter most to you.
• An ownership culture that inspires; join a connected, values-driven workplace where employees take accountability, support one another, and are empowered to do their best work—together shaping our future shared success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees