Benefits Account Manager & Insurance

Gaylord Insurance Agency•Oak Brook, IL

5d•$45,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Benefits Account Manager to independently manage a book of group benefits business while leading, training, and developing a service team. This is a hands-on position requiring advanced Employee Navigator knowledge, strong Illinois insurance licensing, extensive carrier knowledge, advanced rating and underwriting experience, renewal negotiation, new business quoting, benefits administration, data auditing, and client service skills. The ideal candidate can confidently work with HR leaders, business owners, employees, carriers, payroll companies, HRIS providers, and internal service teams while managing multiple priorities in a remote environment.

Requirements

Minimum 4 years of group benefits or commercial insurance experience; 6+ years preferred.
Active Illinois Life and Accident & Health producer licenses.
Advanced Employee Navigator experience.
Strong knowledge of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and ancillary products.
Proven experience with carrier negotiations, renewals, advanced rating, underwriting, and new business quoting.
Strong experience conducting weekly/monthly benefits audits.
Experience reconciling carrier, Employee Navigator, payroll, HRIS, and invoice data.
Experience managing electronic carrier/payroll/HRIS feeds.
Proven ability to lead, train, and mentor service staff.
Strong presentation and public-speaking skills.
Ability to create professional client and employee presentations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple accounts and deadlines.
Comfortable working independently in a remote environment.
Willing and able to attend required onsite meetings and employee education/open enrollment events.
Maintain active Illinois insurance producer licenses in: Life, Accident & Health.
Maintain all required Illinois appointments and continuing education requirements.

Nice To Haves

Non-resident licenses in additional states.
Additional Life and Accident & Health licenses.
Applicable carrier appointments.
Long-Term Care Partnership certification, where applicable.
Experience with regional, specialty, wholesale, and alternative funding markets is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Manage a book of group medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and ancillary benefit accounts.
Serve as the primary point of contact for HR managers, business owners, employees, carriers, payroll providers, and vendors.
Provide proactive, professional support regarding coverage, eligibility, claims, billing, enrollment, and policy questions.
Support client retention, satisfaction, account growth, and additional product opportunities.
Manage accounts from implementation through annual renewal.
Maintain all client groups and ensure accurate enrollment and eligibility information.
Manage new hires, terminations, qualifying life events, COBRA, dependents, eligibility changes, and open enrollment.
Configure, test, maintain, and troubleshoot Employee Navigator.
Coordinate enrollment and eligibility feeds with carriers and other benefit vendors.
Train clients and internal staff on Employee Navigator and benefits administration processes.
Conduct weekly and monthly benefits audits covering enrollment, eligibility, deductions, rates, effective dates, employee status, and dependents.
Reconcile Employee Navigator, carrier records, payroll, HRIS data, and carrier invoices.
Identify and correct missing, duplicate, rejected, or inaccurate records.
Manage and troubleshoot carrier-to-Employee Navigator, carrier-to-payroll, and carrier-to-HRIS feeds.
Work directly with carriers, payroll companies, HRIS providers, and client HR teams to resolve feed and data issues.
Verify employee/employer contributions and payroll deductions match elected coverage.
Maintain audit records and follow corrective actions through resolution.
Manage annual renewals and negotiate rates and plan terms with carriers.
Obtain and analyze competitive quotes for new and existing business.
Prepare rate comparisons, plan comparisons, census analysis, contribution models, and renewal recommendations.
Analyze carrier proposals, underwriting requirements, networks, plan designs, rates, and renewal terms.
Lead, mentor, and develop benefits service team members.
Train staff on Employee Navigator, benefits administration, audits, carrier procedures, payroll reconciliation, feeds, and service standards.
Establish consistent workflows and quality-control procedures.
Monitor workload, accuracy, deadlines, and service levels.
Conduct monthly in-person team meetings.
Support team problem-solving and professional development.
Independently create professional PowerPoint/client presentations.
Prepare renewal presentations, carrier comparisons, rate analyses, plan comparisons, and employee education materials.
Present renewal recommendations to HR teams, business owners, and executives.
Conduct employee education and open enrollment sessions onsite and through Microsoft Teams.
Clearly explain medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA/FSA, costs, networks, deductibles, and coverage options.