Employee Benefits Client Associate

Ross & Yerger Insurance, Inc.•Jackson, MS

10d

About The Position

The Employee Benefits Client Associate is a foundational role within the Employee Benefits Division and a structured pathway to becoming a Client Manager. Working alongside Client Managers and Producers, the Associate delivers service to employer group clients by managing day-to-day needs, supporting renewals, and developing technical expertise and client relationship skills. The Associate liaises among insurance carriers, group clients, and internal team members to ensure timely communication, accurate account administration, and a consistent client experience. The position handles client inquiries and benefit administration, supports renewal and market activities, maintains account records and follow-up systems, and assists with compliance-related work. It also requires ongoing professional development, including maintaining required state licenses and obtaining Life & Health licensure within six months of hire.

Requirements

Life & Health License required within six months of employment; satisfactory employment record maintained throughout.
At least two years of experience in employee benefits, health insurance, customer service, or a related field.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to explain benefit information to diverse client audiences.
Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple accounts and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook); basic data entry and agency management system skills.
Ability to self-manage workload, prioritize tasks, and follow through on commitments without close supervision.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred; a combination of education and relevant experience is considered.
Prior experience in an insurance brokerage, TPA, or carrier environment.
Familiarity with benefits administration platforms such as Employee Navigator, ADP, Ease, or similar systems.
Working knowledge of ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA compliance requirements.
Pursuit of or interest in professional designations such as GBA, CEBS, or RHU.

Responsibilities

Respond to client inquiries by phone and in person about existing coverage, enrollment, claims, and plan changes.
Obtain, process, and track enrollment forms, change forms, terminations, and benefit summaries according to carrier and client requirements.
Communicate proactively with clients throughout the plan year, anticipate needs, and resolve issues with minimal direction.
Explain benefit coverage, plan exclusions, and carrier procedures clearly and professionally to clients and employees.
Keep Client Managers and Producers informed of significant account activity, escalations, and unresolved items.
Assist Client Managers with annual renewals, including gathering census data, submitting RFPs, and organizing carrier proposals.
Generate coverage comparisons and benefit summaries for renewal presentations and client decisions.
Communicate preliminary renewal terms to clients and coordinate follow-up under the direction of the Client Manager and Producer.
Obtain and submit group premiums, enrollment contracts, and coverage agreements to carriers promptly.
Maintain organized, current group account files in the Agency Management System, documenting client interactions, benefit changes, and carrier correspondence.
Maintain a personal follow-up and suspense file to track outstanding items and resolve them within expected timeframes.
Use working knowledge of rating applications and procedures across medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefit products.
Use carrier portals and industry websites to obtain plan information, certificates of coverage, and client-facing materials.
Conduct client and carrier interactions in a manner that minimizes errors and omissions exposure.
Support compliance activities, including ACA reporting assistance, COBRA notifications, and HIPAA-compliant handling of protected health information.
Promptly escalate complex compliance questions or high-risk situations to the Client Manager or Department Manager.
Pursue training, licensure, and continuing education in employee benefits products, compliance, and brokerage operations.
Maintain all required state licenses throughout employment, including obtaining Life & Health licensure within six months of hire.
Contribute to a collaborative team environment by sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and participating in department initiatives.
Develop the skills and competencies required to advance to the Client Manager role.