Senior Employee Benefits Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we’re committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities: 

To assist with the management of small to medium size clients in providing employee benefit solutions and customer service. Maintain necessary level of knowledge to support team projects and handle client needs. Support the account management and consulting teams with initiatives, clients and projects.

• Work with new prospects and existing clients to develop understanding of client needs and assist with as applicable: benefit solutions, technology opportunities and program recommendations.  Coordinate the completion of any required account set up, enrollment paperwork and employee meetings and/or communications.
• As applicable, work with clients to effectively process timely and accurate renewals.  Gather the necessary information for renewals as well as identify new business opportunities.  Obtain quotes and provide alternative options as needed.
• Develop complete understanding of all benefit programs offered and underwriting guidelines of the various employee benefit carriers, and as applicable, processes, and trends.  Maintain awareness of new products developed, program changes or laws and regulations that affect benefit programs and if appropriate, communicate their impact to clients. 
• Assist clients with all customer service needs, problem solving and trouble shooting.  Act as the interface with carriers or other resources to resolve issues and to ensure the programs are working as expected. 
• Record sales, renewal and service activities and updates in OneGroup's benefit administration system.
• Identify opportunities for new sales or cross selling potential.
• Assist with individual programs, as needed. 
• Provide timely and accurate responses for general benefit questions, as applicable, etc. 
• As applicable, provide guidance to clients relative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
• Schedule regular meetings with clients and vendors. 
• Assist consultants with projects, trainings, renewals, product applications and contract paperwork needed.
• Provide general guidance on regulations and legislative matters.
• Support the team on various projects and participate as contributing member of team in client initiatives.
• Participate in sales initiatives and cross selling programs and marketing events.
• Foster an environment that upholds the OneGroup Way.
• Maintain proficient knowledge of, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to this position, ensure ongoing adherence to policies, procedures, and internal controls, and meet all training requirements in a timely manner.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Education:

• Two year degree required, Four year college degree preferred
• All applicants must be 18 years of age or older

Professional Certifications/Licenses:

• NY Life and Health License preferred

Experience/Skills:

• 1 + year of experience in Employee Benefits
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Skills in related technology, Microsoft office, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. 
• Committed to providing excellent customer service
• Work independently and be resourceful in supporting projects and tasks
• Successfully manage multiple tasks/projects, meeting defined deadlines
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with team members

Travel: 

• May require overnight travel for client meetings and will require travel locally to client locations.