Senior Benefits Consultant

Position Overview:

The Senior Benefits Consultant is responsible for managing and strengthening relationships with an assigned portfolio of group benefits clients, delivering proactive consulting and exceptional client service throughout the client lifecycle.

The role acts as a senior advisor to clients on their employee benefit programs, including plan design, renewals, claims experience, carrier negotiations, plan administration and ongoing plan education. The Senior Benefits Consultant works collaboratively with internal service and analytical teams to ensure clients and their plan members receive timely, accurate and effective support.

In addition to retaining and developing the existing client portfolio, the Senior Benefits Consultant contributes to business growth through prospecting, new business opportunities, referrals and other business-development activities.

Responsibilities:

Client Relationship Management

• Manage an assigned portfolio of group benefits clients and serve as a primary senior client contact.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with clients and maintain a high level of client retention.
• Meet with clients according to agreed service levels and proactively identify opportunities to strengthen the client relationship.
• Respond to client concerns promptly and professionally and escalate issues when appropriate.
• Provide ongoing guidance and support to plan administrators and plan members.

Benefits Consulting & Plan Management

• Advise clients on their group benefits plan design, products and services.
• Review client claims experience and plan performance and present findings and recommendations.
• Prepare for and lead annual renewal discussions and presentations.
• Educate plan administrators and members regarding their benefit plans.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of group insurance carrier products and services.
• Negotiate rates and/or contractual terms with insurance carriers on behalf of clients.
• Remain current on changes affecting the group insurance industry, including legislation, product offerings and plan rules.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with Group Benefits Analysts, Customer Care Coordinators and other internal resources to support clients, administrators and plan members.
• Ensure questions relating to group benefits products and services are addressed accurately and efficiently.
• Coordinate internally to support effective delivery of client commitments and service requirements.

Business Development

• Contribute to the growth of the organization through prospecting and new business development.
• Identify opportunities within existing client relationships for additional services and solutions.
• Participate in marketing exercises and Requests for Proposal (RFPs), as required.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in the group insurance/group benefits industry.
• Completion of secondary school required, with college or other post-secondary education preferred.
• Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP) required
• GBA and/or CEBS designation strongly preferred.
• Experience with marketing exercises and RFPs is considered an asset.
• Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
• Strong knowledge of group insurance products and services.
• Excellent client service and relationship-management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution capabilities.
• Ability to effectively negotiate with insurance carriers.
• Ability to communicate complex benefit information clearly to clients, plan administrators and members.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Commitment to maintaining current knowledge of industry developments, legislative changes, products and plan rules.

We Offer:

• Health and Dental Benefits
• RRSP Match Program
• Bonus
• Hybrid Work Environment
• Paid Vacation Time
• Sick Days
• Additional PTO available

This is a replacement role.

*Navacord DOES NOT utilize artificial intelligence in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants for this position.

Navacord is actively committed to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. We serve and recognize and respect human differences and similarities. We value the diversity of people and actively encourage women, indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ2+) persons to apply. We are committed to providing accommodation upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.