Vice President, Employee Benefits Carrier Partnerships

Alera Group•UNAVAILABLE, UNAVAILABLE

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Vice President of Carrier Partnerships is responsible for developing, managing, and optimizing Alera Group's Employee Benefits carrier relationships. This role provides strategic leadership to strengthen partnerships, align carrier resources with business and client needs, and maximize value through preferred national and regional carrier relationships. The position serves as a key liaison between carriers and internal stakeholders, driving growth, enhancing support and service offerings, and identifying opportunities to expand partnerships that contribute to Alera Group's business objectives. Given the strategic importance of these relationships, the role maintains significant visibility with executive leadership.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive insurance industry experience ideally in a nationally positioned organization.
Life and Health licensed professional
Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred
Experience driving and understanding multi-million-dollar contract relationships between brokerage and insurance carriers.
Insurance program or partner management at the national level with either an insurance carrier and/or brokerage organization
Excellent communication skills at all levels, but more specifically at the C-Suite level
Demonstrated ability to drive growth, operational improvements, and cultural change
Strong knowledge of employee benefits disciplines
Exceptional communication and leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate
Hands‑on leadership style with effective delegation
Strong business and financial acumen
Proficiency with MS Office and modern insurance technology platforms and strong AI understanding and application in the industry
Domestic travel of approximately 35% will be expected

Responsibilities

Develop and lead national Employee Benefits carrier partnership strategies, growth targets, and go-to-market plans.
Establish mutually beneficial goals and performance expectations with national carrier partners.
Oversee national carrier agreements, including contract negotiation, renewal, performance monitoring, and stakeholder communication.
Lead Alera Group’s Employee Benefits P1 program across group medical, ancillary, and stop-loss partnerships.
Establish, evaluate, and communicate the annual P1 strategy and preferred carrier partnerships to regional and national stakeholders.
Assess partnership performance and provide regional and senior leadership with recommendations regarding growth opportunities, emerging challenges, and corrective actions.
Direct initiatives designed to strengthen carrier performance and advance partnership objectives.
Develop and maintain strategic relationships with carrier partners; conduct quarterly business reviews to evaluate partnership performance, opportunities, risks, and growth initiatives.
Communicate carrier performance results and progress against established goals to regional, national, and senior leadership on a regular basis.
Coordinate follow-up actions, resolve partnership issues, and escalate carrier-related concerns as needed.
Conduct a comprehensive carrier partnership market assessment, including a Request for Information (RFI), at least every three years to ensure competitiveness and alignment with organizational objectives.
Represent Alera Group on national carrier advisory boards and serve as a key liaison with carrier partners.
Maintain expertise in market trends, industry developments, carrier capabilities, and emerging opportunities affecting the Employee Benefits business.
Represent Alera Group at carrier meetings, conferences, and industry events to strengthen partnerships and identify strategic opportunities.
Provide leadership and direction to the Carrier Contracting Project Manager, aligning priorities and activities with national carrier partnership goals.
Support carrier consolidation initiatives to facilitate the dissolution of legal entities by consolidating carrier relationships, transitioning policies and accounts, and ensuring accurate data and documentation throughout the process.
Oversee carrier contracting, commission-tracking onboarding, and issue resolution for newly acquired firms.
Coordinate carrier partner training, sales and marketing materials, firm events, forums, and continuing education programs.
Support the resolution of operational challenges involving carrier contracts, commissions, products, or services.
Collaborate with national specialty practices to identify opportunities for enhanced carrier resources, funding, and client solutions.
Pursue programs and resources related to technology, data, marketing, pharmacy, and other carrier-supported offerings.
Partner with carrier organizations and internal stakeholders to develop solutions that enhance client satisfaction, account growth, and persistency.