Employee Benefits Account Manager

Account Manager, Employee Benefits

Position Summary: The Account Manager, Employee Benefits serves as the primary relationship manager for assigned employee benefits clients, ensuring exceptional service, client retention, and strategic benefits planning. This role partners with producers, consultants, carriers, vendors, and internal team members to develop and implement competitive benefits solutions while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. The Account Manager acts as a trusted advisor, leading renewal strategies, client meetings, employee communications, and ongoing benefit program management to support client objectives and long-term success.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to Account Relationship Managers (ARMs), Senior ARMs, Benefits Specialists, and Senior Benefits Specialists, as applicable. Support employee development, training, and performance improvement initiatives. Participate in recruitment and interview processes as needed.

Essential Tasks: Manage and maintain strong client relationships to ensure satisfaction, retention, and long-term growth. Lead all aspects of the client renewal process, including marketing, carrier negotiations, cost analysis, recommendations, and implementation. Develop and execute strategic benefits plans aligned with client goals and financial objectives. Facilitate annual service planning and core client meetings, delivering actionable insights and recommendations. Gather client information, prepare requests for proposals (RFPs), and obtain alternative plan designs and carrier quotations. Act as liaison between clients, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and benefit vendors. Coordinate implementation of new clients, including onboarding activities, timelines, and carrier setup. Manage mid-year plan changes, vendor implementations, and ongoing service requests. Prepare and present open enrollment materials and employee benefit communications through virtual and in-person meetings. Assist employees and clients with policy inquiries, claims issues, billing concerns, and coverage questions. Ensure client compliance with applicable regulations including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and other employee benefits requirements. Conduct compliance reviews and support required filings and documentation. Complete and validate pre-renewal and renewal documentation to ensure accuracy and timely submissions. Support sales and consulting teams in finalist meetings, presentations, and new business opportunities. Identify opportunities for expanded service offerings and additional client solutions. Assist with implementation and utilization of benefits technology platforms, online enrollment systems, and benefit administration tools. Support wellness initiatives and employee engagement strategies. Maintain accurate client records and workflow management within agency systems and CRM platforms. Perform other duties as assigned.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability and desire to collaborate effectively with clients, carriers, vendors, and internal teams. Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Client-focused mindset with commitment to exceptional service. Highly motivated self-starter capable of working independently while contributing to team success. Ability to build and maintain productive professional relationships. Strong project management and meeting facilitation skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive personal and medical information in compliance with HIPAA guidelines. Accountable, dependable, and committed to delivering high-quality work. Adaptability and willingness to embrace change and continuous improvement. Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Experience and Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance, Risk Management, or related field preferred; equivalent industry experience may be substituted. Minimum 5 years of employee benefits account management, brokerage, consulting, or related insurance experience. Strong knowledge of employee benefits products, funding arrangements, and carrier markets. Experience with ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other employee benefits regulations preferred. Experience supporting medium to large group accounts preferred. Experience with fully insured and alternative funding arrangements preferred. Licensing and Credentials: Active Life & Health Insurance License required. Industry-Related designations preferred. Systems: Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with CRM systems and benefits administration technology platforms. Applied Epic experience preferred; experience with comparable Agency Management Systems (AMS) acceptable. Physical Requirements: Ability to lift 25 pounds. Repeated use of sight to read documents and computer screens. Repeated use of hearing and speech to communicate by telephone and in person. Repetitive hand movements including keyboarding, writing, and data entry. Walking, bending, sitting, reaching, and stretching in all directions.

Benefits & Compensation: Higginbotham offers medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, 401K, equity incentive plan as well as multiple supplemental benefits for physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. Employee Wellness Program Company paid holidays, plus PTO