Description
Howden is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Employee Benefits Account Executive to lead and grow a portfolio of clients across our Employee Benefits practice.
In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to employers on the design, implementation, and management of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, and wellness initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Client Strategy & Relationship Leadership
- Serve as the primary strategic advisor and point of contact for assigned employee benefits clients.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with client leadership, human resources teams, and key stakeholders.
- Gain a deep understanding of each client's workforce, organisational goals, benefits philosophy, and employee population to provide tailored recommendations.
- Deliver ongoing strategic guidance related to benefits market trends, plan design, cost containment strategies, employee engagement, and workforce wellbeing.
Benefits Program Management & Renewals
- Lead annual renewal strategy and planning, including carrier negotiations, plan design analysis, benchmarking, contribution modelling, and financial review.
- Analyse renewal proposals and recommend plan strategies that align with client objectives and budget considerations.
- Coordinate with carriers, vendors, and internal teams to ensure seamless implementation of benefit programs and enrolment processes.
- Oversee the timely execution of plan changes, open enrolment activities, and ongoing benefits administration support.
Compliance, Documentation & Service Excellence
- Support clients with employee benefits compliance matters, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulations.
- Ensure client records, documentation, and service deliverables are maintained accurately within agency management systems.
- Maintain the highest standards of service quality, responsiveness, and accuracy across all client interactions.
- Collaborate with compliance and subject matter experts to address evolving regulatory requirements.
Vendor Management & Client Advocacy
- Serve as the primary advocate for clients in carrier and vendor discussions.
- Facilitate resolution of escalated service, billing, eligibility, and claims-related issues.
- Coordinate with insurance carriers, TPAs, wellness vendors, pharmacy benefit managers, and other service providers to deliver exceptional client outcomes.
- Communicate market developments, carrier updates, and strategic recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders.
Growth & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Identify opportunities for cross-selling, account expansion, and additional consulting services.
- Partner closely with producers, account managers, analytics teams, compliance specialists, and other internal subject matter experts.
- Participate in client presentations, stewardship meetings, and strategic planning sessions.
- Contribute to internal initiatives, process improvements, and professional development efforts that strengthen team performance and client outcomes.
Requirements:
- Minimum 5+ years of experience in employee benefits consulting, account management, account executive, or client advisory roles within a brokerage, consulting, or carrier environment.
- Demonstrated success managing employer-sponsored employee benefits programs and client relationships.
- Experience working with middle market or large group employee benefits accounts preferred.
- Active Health and Life insurance license (state specific).
- Strong knowledge of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, and wellness offerings.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, including benefits financial analysis and renewal strategy development.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Proficiency with agency management systems and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
Compensation and Benefits:
- Competitive base salary
- Discretionary bonus
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including healthcare savings and reimbursement accounts
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Flexible Paid Time Off and paid parental leave
- Life and Disability insurance