Benefits Consultant - Hybrid (Reston, VA)

Digital Insurance • Reston, VA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

OneDigital is seeking an experienced Benefits Consultant to join their established and growing employee benefits practice. This is a consultative, client-facing role focused on both existing and new clients, serving small and midsize employers throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. The Benefits Consultant will work with employers to evaluate benefit strategies, review plan options, lead renewals, assess alternative funding arrangements, and help clients make informed decisions about their employee benefits programs. The consultant will also support new business opportunities by working with prospective clients, analyzing existing benefit programs, identifying opportunities for improvement, and helping present competitive solutions. This role involves working closely with producers, account management and enrollment/service specialists, insurance carriers, general agencies, and other partners. The team approach allows the Benefits Consultant to focus on strategy, client relationships, and benefits guidance while working alongside professionals who support implementation and ongoing administration. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with traditional fully insured group benefits and, preferably, meaningful experience with level-funded medical plans.

Requirements

• 5+ years of employee benefits, group health insurance or benefits consulting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working directly with small and midsize employer groups.
• Strong knowledge of medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits.
• Demonstrated experience presenting benefit strategies and recommendations directly to clients.
• Experience with level-funded health plans strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of fully insured and level-funded arrangements, including claims funding, stop-loss coverage and renewal considerations.
• Experience participating in new business presentations or prospective client meetings preferred.
• Familiarity with the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. employee benefits markets preferred.
• Life and Health insurance license preferred, or willingness and ability to obtain appropriate licensing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills.
• Ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with business owners, executives and HR professionals.
• Ability to manage multiple clients, opportunities, priorities and deadlines.
• Comfortable working collaboratively within a team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn CRM, quoting and benefits technology platforms.

Nice To Haves

• Meaningful experience with level-funded medical plans.
• Familiarity with the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. employee benefits markets.
• Life and Health insurance license, or willingness and ability to obtain appropriate licensing.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted benefits consultant to an assigned group of existing employer clients.
• Develop strong, long-term relationships with business owners, executives, HR leaders and other key client contacts.
• Meet with clients throughout the year to review benefit strategy, market conditions and emerging opportunities.
• Help employers evaluate plan design, contribution strategies, networks, cost-sharing and overall benefit structure.
• Provide clear, practical guidance that helps clients make informed benefits decisions.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve benefits, manage costs and strengthen the overall employee benefits program.
• Work with producers and the broader team on prospective client opportunities.
• Participate in discovery meetings with prospective employers to understand their current benefits program, business needs and objectives.
• Analyze existing plans, costs, funding arrangements and benefit structures.
• Identify opportunities for improved pricing, plan design, carrier positioning and funding strategies.
• Help develop and present recommendations to prospective clients.
• Participate in finalist presentations and other new business meetings as appropriate.
• Help transition new clients into the practice following a successful sale.
• Lead the annual renewal strategy for assigned clients.
• Review carrier renewals, claims information, market alternatives and financial considerations.
• Develop renewal recommendations in collaboration with producers and other members of the benefits team.
• Present renewal options and recommendations directly to clients.
• Evaluate alternative carriers, plan designs and funding arrangements when appropriate.
• Help clients balance cost, benefits, employee experience and long-term strategy.
• Coordinate with the internal team to ensure selected strategies are implemented successfully.
• Provide knowledgeable guidance regarding level-funded medical plans.
• Help clients understand the differences between fully insured and level-funded arrangements.
• Explain fixed monthly costs, claims funding, stop-loss protection, claims experience, potential surplus or refund provisions and renewal considerations.
• Review level-funded renewals and help clients understand the financial implications of available options.
• Compare level-funded and fully insured alternatives when evaluating renewal or new business opportunities.
• Work with carriers, general agencies, third-party administrators and stop-loss partners when additional analysis is needed.
• Help identify employers for whom level funding may provide a meaningful strategic or financial advantage.
• Review medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefit offerings.
• Analyze plan design, employee contributions and employer contribution strategies.
• Help clients evaluate competitive positioning and employee benefit priorities.
• Stay informed about market developments, carrier changes, emerging funding strategies and benefit trends.
• Bring relevant ideas and opportunities to clients throughout the year rather than limiting strategic conversations to renewal season.
• Lead or participate in client strategy meetings, renewal presentations and benefit reviews.
• Present complex benefit and financial information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Assist with employee benefit education and open enrollment meetings when appropriate.
• Develop strong relationships with senior client decision-makers.
• Represent the practice professionally in both existing client and prospective client meetings.
• Work closely with producers, account managers, enrollment specialists and other benefits professionals.
• Provide strategic direction while partnering with the service team on implementation and ongoing administration.
• Coordinate with carrier representatives, general agencies and vendors as needed.
• Share market knowledge, ideas and best practices across the team.
• Help ensure a seamless client experience from strategy and renewal through implementation and ongoing support.
• Maintain accurate client and opportunity information within the agency's CRM and benefit systems.
• Document key client decisions, strategies and recommendations.
• Utilize carrier quoting systems, benefit administration platforms and analytical tools as appropriate.
• Become proficient with the technology platforms used by the employee benefits team.

Benefits

• health, pharmacy, long and short-term disability, vision, dental and other insurance solutions
• health, wellbeing, retirement, and other financial benefits
• paid time off
• overtime pay for non-exempt employees
• robust learning and development programs
• reimbursement of job-related expenses
• employee perks and discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed