Strategic Sales Analyst | Hybrid | RFP and Underwriting

A successful Sales Analyst must demonstrate strong product / business knowledge, collaboration / communication skills, project management and the ability to perform tasks using technology and systems utilized within Guardian (Outlook, Salesforce, CPS, Excel, Adobe, SharePoint, Access, etc.). The position must balance the needs of the clients with those of the business and respond to customer inquiries with the objective of selling new business, ensuring that client satisfaction, accuracy, competitiveness, and profitability are achieved.Additional major responsibilities include negotiations with Underwriters, effective collaboration with Sales Representatives and other team members, and managing the requoting of proposals as needed to help generate sales.### **You Are*** Detail and process-driven and thrive in structured environments and take pride in ensuring every RFP, quote, and submission is accurate, complete, and aligned with SOPs.* Highly organized and deadline-oriented and naturally manage multiple priorities, keep stakeholders on track, and never let timelines slip in a fast-paced sales environment.* Analytical with a commercial mindset and enjoy digging into data, understanding client needs, and making thoughtful recommendations that balance competitiveness, profitability, and risk.* Collaborative and relationship-focused and able to build strong partnerships with Sales, Underwriting, brokers, and internal teams, knowing success depends on seamless coordination.* A proactive communicator - you don't wait for updates; you drive them. You follow up, ask the right questions, and keep everyone informed and aligned.* Comfortable with negotiation and influence and you can confidently engage with underwriting and sales partners to advocate for the best outcomes.* Tech-savvy and systems-oriented - you embrace tools like Salesforce, Excel, and internal systems to manage workflows efficiently and serve as a go-to resource for others.**You will*** Perform duties associated with Inventory Management, RFP processing, and new business/add issue submissions.* Position works closely with Sales Representatives, Client Management, Rating, Underwriting, Onboarding, and Producers /Assistants to ensure that information required for releasing a competitive quote and submitting new business is received and processed accurately and in a timely manner.Manage RFP Inventory and Quote Process including:* Reviewing RFP data, discerning what has been received and identifying what is needed to underwrite and release a quote.* Partnering with Rating and Quoting to ensure proposals are on track to meet due dates.* Meeting with team to review inventory status.* Make recommendations regarding benefit / rate options based on analysis of RFP and assessment of customer's buying triggers through consultative interactions with Sales Representatives and customers.* Engage key internal stakeholders needed to put together a comprehensive proposal strategy (i.e. dental recruitment, BenTech, Worksite, Enrollment).Independently, or in collaboration with Sales Representatives:* Meet with Underwriting to negotiate rates, exceptions, and approvals.* Discuss RFP, plan design options, and multi-line options with Producers and their assistants.* Build strong relationships with underwriting, brokers, and their staff to ensure that customer needs are met while maintaining profitability and acceptable risk.* Proactively contact Producers / Assistants to follow up on quotes to gauge competitiveness and/or gather post-mortem data.* If Guardian is awarded the business, work closely with the Sales Representative/Underwriter to finalize sold quote and initiate Onboarding process following SOP.* Handoff and transition case from sales to onboarding.* Provide backup support to colleagues as needed.* Serve as Subject Matter Expert on various Guardian systems and procedures.**You have*** Bachelor's degree preferred* 1-3 years of group insurance experience processing RFP preferred* Knowledge of group insurance, products, and services* Knowledge of underwriting principles and practices* Demonstrated success in servicing customers (Producers / Assistants / Planholders)* Experience working with and addressing the needs of field sales organization in a highly dynamic, fast-paced environment* Salesforce experience preferred* Excellent written and verbal communication skills* Excellent organizational and time management skills**Location Requirements*** The preferred Guardian Life hub location will be our Chicago office.* The work arrangement will be hybrid, going into the local office once a week.* Possible 10% travel to a Guardian Hub for team/stakeholder meetings .**Salary Range:**$54,190.00 - $81,280.00The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.**Our Promise**At Guardian, you'll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.**Inspire Well-Being**As part of Guardian's Purpose - to inspire well-being - we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at. *Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.***Equal Employment Opportunity**Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.**Accommodations**Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Please note: this resource is for accommodation requests only. For all other inquires related to your application and careers at Guardian, refer to the Guardian Careers site.**Visa Sponsorship**Guardian is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment visas. In order to be a successful applicant. you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship.**Notice Regarding Guardian's Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment**As part of Guardian's job application process, Guardian may use artificial intelligence tools ("AI Tools") to automate the sorting and filtering of information provided by applicants as part of its preliminary screening. This preliminary screening may be used to help identify applicant materials and resumes relative to their indication that the applicant meets the requirements for the specific job for which they are applying, as specified in the listing posted on Guardian's jobs website (Careers at Guardian at). At Guardian, we do not use AI Tools to substantially assist or replace human judgment or discretionary #J-18808-Ljbffr Guardian Life