Account Executive - Employee Benefits

USI Insurance Services; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

USI Insurance Services in Wilmington, NC is seeking an EB Account Executive to manage a highly complex employee benefits book of business and act as the primary service contact for clients.

You will build trusted relationships, guide strategic decisions, lead renewals, and collaborate with carriers and internal teams to deliver high-quality, compliant benefit programs and ongoing account growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Active Life and Disability insurance license or ability to obtain within 4 months of employment.
• Strong, practical communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a highly complex book of business with multiple funding arrangements and custom designs.
• Serve as the primary liaison between clients and carriers for proactive service.
• Lead client renewals with analysis of utilization and carrier terms.
• Develop proactive strategies to address benefit challenges and growth.
• Coordinate with internal teams to deliver client-facing reports and analyses.
• Present at client meetings and provide training content as needed.
• Stay current on regulatory changes and industry trends.

Skills

Relationship management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Negotiation

Presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role:

The EB Account Executive manages highly complex employee benefits clients and serves as the primary service contact. In this role, you'll focus on building trusted relationships, guiding clients through strategic decision-making, and ensuring a thoughtful, high-quality experience that supports long‑term satisfaction and account growth.

What You'll Do

• Manage a highly complex book of business with multiple funding arrangements, advanced contract structures, and customized plan designs requiring advanced experience and technical expertise.
• Serve as the primary liaison between clients and insurance carriers, providing proactive, personalized service to retain and grow complex, high‑touch client relationships.
• Provide advanced insurance and compliance expertise to clients and members of the Account Management and Sales Executive teams, including guidance on ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, Form 5500 reporting, and Health Care Reform.
• Lead client renewals, including analysis of utilization results and negotiation with carriers on terms, conditions, and pricing.
• Anticipate client needs and develop proactive strategies to address business and benefit challenges.
• Represent client interests in internal account strategy discussions and coordinate engagement with technical resources as appropriate.
• Champion client cross‑selling initiatives and contribute to expansion and development of client accounts.
• Prepare and oversee client-facing deliverables, including meeting agendas, reports, calendars, and custom analyses.
• Run and participate in client meetings, including on‑site and virtual meetings, as required.
• Participate in peer review of standard and complex deliverables to ensure quality and consistency.
• Develop employee communications for renewals, enrollment, and benefit changes and provide oversight and resolution support for client issues such as contract interpretation and billing.
• Develop and deliver training content for the Account Management team.
• Stay current on industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging employee benefits trends.

What We're Looking For

• 6+ years of experience in the employee benefits industry or a related marketplace.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Prior client service experience preferred.
• Strong, practical understanding of employee benefit plan design, funding arrangements, and compliance requirements.
• Active Life and Disability insurance license or ability to obtain within 4 months of employment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and internet‑based applications.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to thoughtfully review complex information, exercise advanced professional judgment, and develop strategic client‑focused solutions.
• Ability to prioritize multiple demands and manage deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• High attention to detail with the ability to self‑review work for accuracy.
• Willingness to travel within the regional footprint and occasionally nationwide.

Why USI?

With approximately $3 billion in revenue and over 10,500 associates across approximately 200 offices nationwide, USI is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world. At USI, we have created one of the most dynamic personal and professional development cultures in the industry. We invest heavily in our associates, and we take pride in celebrating their growth and success through our one‑of‑a‑kind employee reward and recognition programs.

Unrivaled Resources and Support

What truly distinguishes USI as a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm is the USI ONE Advantage®, a game‑changing value proposition that delivers to clients a robust set of risk management and benefit solutions with bottom‑line financial impact. USI ONE® represents Omni, Network, Enterprise—the three key elements that set USI apart from the competition. Through USI ONE, we develop strategic, timely, and effective risk management and benefit programs in terms that are easy to understand, and we demonstrate how the solutions can have a positive economic impact.

Industry‑Leading Programs, Rewards, and Recognition

In addition to competitive pay, incentives, and benefits, USI recognizes associates through our Summit Awards program, rewarding excellence in those who build our brand each day. USI offers employee programs that recognize outstanding achievement and help our associates lead healthy, productive lives. We turn care into action with our award‑winning wellness program, college scholarships for associates' children, and financial help in times of need.

Deep Community Engagement

We are committed to giving back to our local communities and supporting a culture of environmental sustainability. From sharing our time, talent, and resources to support local non‑profit organizations, animal shelters, and environmental beautification and restoration projects – to partnering with eco‑conscious vendors and taking steps to reduce our own environmental footprint – we’re working together as ONE to build a better future.

Committed to a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

Our award‑winning I'm With U diversity and inclusion program educates our associates to help them better understand and serve our clients, prospects, fellow team members, and local communities through curated education and training resources, employee support programs, and community outreach initiatives to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture.

Nationally Recognized as a Top Insurance Employer

• Recognized as one of Insurance Business America’s Top Insurance Employers eight consecutive years (2018-2025).
• Named to Business Insurance’s annual list of the Best Places to Work in Insurance six years in a row (2020-2025).
• Named to Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance list for the last two years (2024-2025).
• Certified as a Great Place To Work two years in a row (2024-2025).

Visit our Awards and Accolades page for a complete list of our latest industry awards and recognitions!

USI is committed to providing a full‑suite of competitive benefits for our growing population and its diverse needs. We offer a wide range of health, welfare and financial benefits including medical, wellness, dental and vision, 401(k), flexible spending and health savings accounts, short and long‑term disability, life insurance and other unique employer-sponsored and voluntary programs. USI also offers a generous paid time off policy, paid family leave benefit as well as paid holiday time .