Voluntary Benefits Consultant – Senior Associate

Marsh McLennan•Urbandale, IA

About The Position

The Critical Connection Between Careers, Workforces, and Business Performance Talent Is the Final Frontier The market landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace. Customer and client expectations are constantly evolving. Companies are merging at historic rates. Technology is developing faster than the market can keep up with. So what competitive advantage is left? The answer: People. Your people are your only irreplaceable assets, the ones who will make the difference now and for years to come. As a Voluntary Benefits Consultant in Mercer’s Mid‑Market practice (clients with up to 5,000 lives), you will be accountable for account management by driving client satisfaction and revenue growth across an assigned portfolio. You will assist a group of colleagues who manage requests for inforce clients up to 1,500 lives and, as business needs require, support and oversee additional accounts exceeding 1,500 lives. Leveraging deep voluntary benefits expertise, you will partner with Lead Consultants and Client Managers to design and implement voluntary benefit solutions that align with clients’ global benefits strategies and objectives. You will collaborate closely with regional Health & Benefits colleagues and draw on the resources of our Voluntary Benefits Center of Excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of 7+ years of industry experience with background in client management, sales, or benefits administration.
Experience managing client relationships.
Ability to set and manage client expectations.
Ability to work independently and cross-functionally.
Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and strong problem solving skills.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate information concisely internally as well as externally with satellite locations and external clients.
Demonstrated presentation skills.
Strong financial acumen and analysis skills.
Proven project management skills with the ability to execute and follow through on projects to completion.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deliver timely and accurate work products with a customer service focus, and respond with a sense of urgency as required.
Must demonstrate strong active listening, sensitivity to audience, and follow-up skills.
Must demonstrate professional and ethical business practices, adherence to company standards, and a commitment to personal and professional development.
Strong computer skills and the ability to navigate through multiple systems without assistance.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; intermediate Excel skills required.
Core competencies include: Building and Maintaining Relationships Communicating with Impact Service Orientation
Life & Health and Property Casualty Lines insurance licenses necessary…can be obtained within 6 months of hire

Responsibilities

Responsible for maintaining and expanding a small-to-mid-sized book of business across various industries or specialties.
Develops the voluntary benefits strategy for managed accounts leveraging an in-depth understanding of client needs, market trends and internal product or service offerings.
Manages research efforts and analysis on relevant markets and industries to identify potential relationship needs, target new buyer hubs and ultimately target areas to expand the book of business for the team and/or personal book of business.
Completes analyses consolidating project and/or market data with understood account needs and expectations to fulfill competitive and well-thought proposal work for existing accounts and cross-functional opportunities to institutionalize accounts.
Responsible for developing project plans, leveraging knowledge of team and personal technical and professional capabilities, strategizing feasible timelines and work expectations to deliver products and solutions as efficiently and successfully to accounts.
Conducts analysis to create feasible and effective custom product solutions for existing personal or team accounts, ensuring overall pricing and policy compliance.
Addresses escalated issues in a timely and effective manner and works to ensure relationships are in positive standing and delivering on promised timelines and outcomes.
Actively engages and nourishes relationships and professional networks within client organizations.