Consultant - Life, Disability, and Absence

Consultant - Life, Disability, and Absence

The Consultant is a key member of EPIC's Life, Absence & Disability (LAD) practice and supports the delivery of client engagements across group life, disability, and absence/leave programs.

This role serves as a day-to-day consulting partner for assigned accounts, helping execute strategy, develop client-ready deliverables, and coordinate vendor and project activities to ensure high-quality outcomes. By leveraging data and analytics, the Consultant identifies improvement opportunities, supports roadmap development, and assists clients in implementing compliant program solutions.

The Consultant also contributes to RFPs and implementations, supports issue resolution and governance activities, and collaborates with teammates to strengthen practice tools and deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

Client Consulting & Strategy

• Support client engagements across group disability, absence management, and life insurance programs, including strategy development, work planning, and execution
• Partner with account leaders and client teams to provide analysis, options, and actionable recommendations
• Communicate effectively with HR/Benefits stakeholders and vendor partners
• Plan and facilitate client meetings, including executive-level presentations and readouts
• Develop clear, persuasive client-facing materials

Market Insights & Analysis

• Research and translate industry trends, benchmarks, emerging solutions, and vendor capabilities into tailored strategies
• Conduct benchmarking, financial, and experience analyses across life, leave, disability, and time away programs
• Interpret findings and present data-driven recommendations

RFPs, Vendor Management & Implementation

• Support end-to-end RFP and implementation strategy for insured products and ASO/software services, including:
• Market approach
• Evaluation framework
• Finalist selection
• Contracting support
• Implementation tracking
• Support vendor governance and performance management, including:
• Issue identification
• Escalation management
• Continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain and enhance vendor intelligence (capabilities, performance insights, market scans)

Program Operations & Compliance

• Provide consultative guidance on local, state, and federal legislative and regulatory requirements
• Assist clients in operationalizing compliance and coordinating with vendors
• Review carrier agreements, policy documents, and service terms to ensure alignment with benefit design and client intent
• Support resolution of claims and service issues across client, vendor, and internal teams

Project Management & Delivery

• Manage multiple concurrent client initiatives and annual deliverables
• Establish timelines, assign resources, and manage risks to ensure high-quality, on-time outcomes
• Oversee development and delivery of LAD communications (e.g., enrollment materials, leave program updates)

Practice Development

• Develop client deliverables and internal practice collateral
• Contribute to thought leadership, training, and best practices within the LAD practice
• Support development and maintenance of standardized tools (e.g., RFP templates, benchmarking reports, cost models)
• Provide specialized consulting support in areas such as:
• Vendor procurement strategy
• Paid family and company leave programs
• Statutory program design/review
• Life with Long-Term Care programs

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience within Life, Absence & Disability (LAD), supporting large group life, disability, and absence/leave programs (carrier, consulting, and/or brokerage)
• Strong knowledge of federal and state leave and disability regulations, with the ability to translate requirements into operational guidance
• Working knowledge of integrations across carriers/TPAs and client systems (payroll, HRIS, benefits administration, leave platforms)
• Strong project management skills (scope, timelines, risk management, quality execution)
• Experience supporting RFPs, vendor evaluation/selection, and contract considerations
• Strong client service and communication skills, including presenting to senior stakeholders
• Ability to translate complex or technical concepts into clear, actionable insights
• Highly collaborative, proactive, and detail-oriented
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
• Advanced degree and/or industry designations are a plus
• Resident State Life & Health license required (or must be obtained within 90 days of hire)

COMPENSATION:

The base pay offered will be determined based on your experience, skills, training, certifications and education, while also considering internal equity and market data.

WHY EPIC:

EPIC has over 60 offices and 3,000 employees nationwide – and we're growing! It's a great time to join the team and be a part of this growth. We offer:

• Generous Paid Time off
• Generous leave time options: Paid parental leave, pregnancy disability and bonding leave, and organ donor/bone marrow donor leave
• Generous employee referral bonus program of $1,500 per hired referral
• Quarterly employee recognition program for demonstrating EPIC's values plus additional employee recognition awards and programs (and trips!)
• Employee Resource Groups: Women's Coalition, EPIC Veterans Group
• Professional growth & development: Mentorship Program, Tuition Reimbursement Program, Leadership Development
• Unique benefits such as Pet Insurance, Cancer Insurance, Identity Theft & Fraud Protection Coverage, Legal Planning, Family Planning, and Menopause & Midlife Support
• Additional benefits include (but are not limited to): 401(k) matching, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and wellness & employee assistance programs
• 50/50 Work Culture: EPIC fosters a 50/50 culture between producers and the rest of the business, supporting collaboration, teamwork, and an inclusive work environment. It takes both production and service to be EPIC!
• EPIC Gives Back – Some of our charitable efforts include Donation Connection, Employee Assistance Fund, and People First Foundation
• We're in the top 10 of property/casualty agencies according to "Insurance Journal"