Group Benefits Consultant

Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan; Waterloo; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to supporting its employees and delivering exceptional benefits services. As a Group Benefits Consultant, you'll play a crucial role in overseeing benefit plan activities and providing strategic insights to ensure high-quality, financially sustainable programs. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, you will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to enhance competitiveness and drive success. This position offers a rewarding environment where your contributions are valued, and opportunities for growth and professional development abound. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Rewarding salary and bonuses

100% premium coverage for group benefits

Defined benefit pension plan

100% coverage of continuing education fees

Access to learning resources

Flexible work-from-home options

Opportunities for advancement

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in group insurance underwriting.
• High level of knowledge of insurance contracts and provisions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor benefit plan activity and identify influencing factors.
• Prepare and deliver client benefit reports and presentations.

Skills

Group Insurance Underwriting

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Project Management

Time Management

Relationship Management

Education

University Degree

C.E.B.S. Designation

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

With every job, there’s always the question of “why”. Why join a company? Why be part of their mission? Here, the why is easy. It’s because at some point, we’ve all needed someone there for us.

At the OTIP Group of Companies (OGC), we believe that something special happens when employees feel valued for the work they do, supported as the people they are, and included in the very fabric of the organization: they bring their best to work every day. And that's why we mean it when we say we put our people at the centre of everything we do. Join us as we grow our way into a future that reimagines what it means to deliver meaningful benefits support and service.

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

Reporting to the Principal Benefits Consultant, you’ll be responsible for the oversight of benefit plan activity and strategic opportunities for the Ontario Education-Based Employee Life and Health Benefit Trusts (ELHTs). Drawing on their experience in group benefits consulting and underwriting, the Group Benefits Consultant will apply their relationship management, benefits knowledge, analytical skills and operations expertise to enable the ELHT Trustees to make informed decisions to support high quality and financially sustainable benefit programs.

The core parts of your role will be to:

1. Monitor overall benefit plan activity to determine if the plans are performing as projected and identifying factors that are influencing plan activity (financial, enrolment, demographics, claims, reserves, pooling, environment).
2. Accountable for writing and delivering the client monthly and quarterly benefit reports and presentations. Working closely with the Underwriting Analysts who produce the data for the reports, the Group Benefits Consultant will direct, review, and add insights to the reports to highlight the results to the ELHT Trustees.
3. Work closely with the members of the consulting team to provide updates on changes to the benefits industry, education industry and public policy (legislation) that impact the ELHT benefit programs.
4. Working closely with the OTIP Client Relations Manager, ELHT Executive Directors and ELHT Committees on plan design reviews, the Group Benefits Consultant will facilitate any required analysis with the Underwriting Analysts and produce the final report and presentation of results.
5. Collaborate with the OTIP Leadership Team, the Consulting Team and the ELHTs to identify, evaluate and implement strategic opportunities that would enhance OTIP’s competitiveness and the ELHT benefits program. Responsible for monitoring the activity of these programs.
6. Responsible for communicating changes requested by the ELHTs to the assigned OTIP Underwriting Specialist to ensure that any changes are accurately implemented.
7. Accountable for the preparation and delivery of the annual carrier renewal and audited financial statement review. Working closely with the Underwriting Analysts on the renewal review and financial statement reconciliation, the Group Benefits Consultant will provide insights and recommendations to the ELHTs.
8. Support the ELHTs with its annual actuarial study and financial audit. Working closely with the Underwriting Analysts, the Group Benefits Consultant will ensure that all required information is provided to the actuary and auditors and provide direct support as required.
9. Support the ELHTs with any collective bargaining requests as well as high level member claims exceptions. Working closely with the Underwriting Analysts and Specialists to assess requests and prepare supporting reports.
10. Participate in corporate initiatives that will enhance OTIP’s competitiveness as well as high level escalations brought forward from the ELHT Executive Directors.
11. Provide training and support to the Benefits Specialist and Analysts.

Qualifications

Let’s Talk About You:

This is the unique blend of skills and experience we would love to see in an ideal candidate:

1. A university degree or college equivalent and a C.E.B.S. designation or other industry equivalent.
2. A minimum of ten years’ experience in group insurance underwriting or working with the financial aspects and provisions of group insurance.
3. A high level of knowledge of insurance contracts and provisions, underwriting agreements, underwriting and administration practices. High degree of understanding of large case Life, Health and Dental plans (over 10,000 lives) would be considered an asset.
4. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and the demonstrated ability to deal effectively with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
5. The demonstrated ability to provide outstanding service in an accurate and efficient manner.
6. Superior time management and organizational skills to manage competing priorities, including project management skills.
7. Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
8. The ability to communicate in French is considered an asset.

We also consider your potential.If you know you have what it takes to do the job, but your experience doesn’t exactly match the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply and provide us with more details about why you think you would be a great fit.

Additional Information

Some of the Perks We Offer:

We offer best-in-class pension and benefits, total reward programs and comprehensive mental wellness supports to set you up for every success in and outside of work. Here are just some of the reasons you’ll love working here:

1. Rewarding salary and bonuses that truly value your dedication
2. Industry-leading group benefits with 100% premium coverage (excluding LTD) that start on your first day
3. Defined benefit pension plan for a financially confident retirement
4. 100% coverage of approved continuing education and licensing fees (including RIBO courses in Ontario)
5. Access to a wealth of learning resources, including LinkedIn Learning for professional development
6. Flexible work-from-home and hybrid options
7. Unlock your potential with opportunities for advancement

Let’s work together! If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply online.

OTIP and its group of companies strive to create an accessible and inclusive work environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Upon individual request, we will endeavor to remove any barrier to the recruitment and selection processes and provide accommodations for persons with disabilities.

As a business, we protect what matters most to our members. As an employer, we value what matters most in our workplace. Together, this includes fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all. We are committed to learning and evolving so we can continue to celebrate what makes us special. You are who you are, and our differences are what make us unique.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.