Director, Field Services

NRECA

11d

About The Position

Director, Field Services: NRECA is a unique national trade association providing advocacy, financial services and business support services to over 900 consumer owned electric cooperatives across the country. NRECA employees are united by our mission, inclusive culture, collaborative workplace and commitment to service excellence. As a “best place to work” employer, we operate with integrity, transparency and a spirit of innovation Summary of Position: Are you ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive, and mission-driven insurance and financial services team? At NRECA, we cultivate and reward a commitment to delivering service excellence to our members every day. Our culture emphasizes a strong sense of diversity, integrity and belonging, driven by our core values of collaboration, communication, creative problem solving, and accountability. The work we do to develop and administer industry-leading employee benefit plans and services is diverse and intellectually challenging, and the results help improve the quality of life for hard working Americans all across the country. If you are motivated by mission and values, as well as competitive pay and outstanding benefits and can travel NW of the Mississippi, then this is the place for you. NRECA’s Field Services team helps cooperative leaders, benefits administrators and employees understand and utilize our comprehensive benefits packages through our Retirement Security Plan, 401(k) Pension Plan, Group Benefits Program and associated resources. This position leads and manages member facing Insurance & Financial Services (I&FS) field services functions in a defined geographic area covering approximately 50% of the United States. It is responsible for initial training, ongoing training, development and expansion of employee benefits knowledge and expertise, compensation and human resources knowledge, co-op relationship management, and deep knowledge of the co-op business model of senior field representatives and field representatives relative to NRECA-sponsored multiple employer plans, including the Group Benefits Program, the Retirement Security Plan, the 401(k) Pension Plan (Plans) and several fee-for-service offerings including, FAS 106 services, and FSA/HRA administration.

Requirements

Ten plus years of experience in business development, investment, retirement and/or group plans design and objectives.
Managing member relationships from the shop floor to the Board Room.
Relating to headquarters staff and managing a diverse, dispersed field staff
Retirement and employee benefits designations/certifications such as CLU, CEBS, Ch.FC.
Current health and life insurance license in state of residence.
Bachelor’s Degree with retirement and employee benefits designations/certifications such as CLU, CEBS, Ch.FC.
Current health and life insurance license in state of residence.
Ability to build and sustain a high-performing team with an appreciation and interest in building and sustaining strategic relationships with key internal decision makers, members, staff and the public as demonstrated by prior work experience.
Ability to lead people and large work units with a track record of developing, motivating and delegating across a large, functionally disparate team as demonstrated by prior work experience.
Ability to organize and manage time, multi-task, operate under pressure and prioritize projects (or work) using effective organization skills as demonstrated by prior work experience
Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership and employees in a clear and precise manner as demonstrated by prior work experience.
Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point) in the day-to-day essential duties of the job as demonstrated by prior work experience
Ability to travel by air or car.
Significant travel of 60% to 80% expected.

Responsibilities

Grows cooperative participation in NRECA sponsored qualified and non-qualified plans for all employee benefit programs to assist participating cooperatives in attracting, retaining and rewarding employees in suburban, rural and remote parts of the United States.
Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of retirement programs, group and individual health and welfare products and services for the proper evaluation of diverse size/type of member/organization needs and balance division/department responses to those member needs.
Assures that NRECA and I&FS features, benefits and advantages are delivered in a comprehensive and uniform manner by all direct reports.
Monitors and enhances field based presentations and interactions by all Member Benefits Services personnel including PIRC planners, and benefit service representatives with member co-ops and co-op employees individually and collectively.
Collaborates with Senior Director, Field Services on strategic and operational planning, solving business problems, and achieving business goals utilizing best practices and sound leadership/management judgment.
Contributes to cohesive Field Services organizational development efforts in order to continually strive to improve; adapt to needs and priorities; and maximize the performance of the organization.
Provides strategic planning input and execution to enhance profitability, productivity and efficiency of NRECA sponsored employee benefit plans and related products/services within Member Benefits Services and I&FS.
Models and reinforces methods to promote a service excellence attitude and practice among the Field Services staff in all member facing settings and all internal and external interactions.
Plays a key contributor role relative to planning (strategic and operational) activities of Field Services and attends or participates in relevant industry conferences, panels and committees to ensure that the needs of participants and beneficiaries are met.
Responsible for issue identification and resolution.
Responsible for establishing a secondary level of member co-op connections and relationships to secure member confidence in continued service excellence in the unexpected or planned absence of a territory field representative.
Travel to and attend annually all NRECA and I&FS conferences as required.
Travel to and regularly attend various co-op and statewide meetings and conferences to monitor and assist direct reports and to promote and enhance membership services as determined by Senior Director, Field Services.
Sets clear expectations/goals/objectives; provides timely feedback, praise, coaching and recognition; promptly addresses performance or employee relations issues in accordance with NRECA policy; upgrades the skill set and effectiveness of the staff; and collaboratively provides the materials, equipment and information required to support the success of the department.