Agency Services Representative

Sammons Financial Group Inc.; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

ESOP

401(k)

Fridays off

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Sammons Financial Group in the United States seeks a customer service professional to respond to inbound calls from agents, partners, and customers, delivering accurate information with a professional, friendly approach. The role requires learning multiple company lines, navigating legacy systems, and meeting quality standards while providing timely, courteous support.

You will engage with cross‑department teams, stay updated on product changes, and contribute to service improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Previous customer service/call center experience preferred.
• Ability to learn and maintain knowledge of multiple companies and lines of business.
• Ability to provide accurate information.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Experience navigating legacy systems and information screens.
• Organizational skills and ability to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Respond to inbound calls and provide support to agents and customers.
• Provide accurate information on account status, setup changes, beneficiary designation, commissions, and tax documents.
• Submit requests via workflow system and adhere to SLA/quality standards.
• Record interactions and maintain clear account histories.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to resolve issues and improve processes.
• Navigate systems and MS Word/Excel/Outlook to complete tasks.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Organization

Independent work

Teamwork

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

What You Can Expect In This Role

Communicate verbally with agents, distribution partners, third parties and internal support departments in matters relating to agent and customer needs. Approach all interactions with the customer at the forefront, using the corporate shared values as the guide for all interactions.

What You'll Do In This Role

• Responsible for responding to inbound calls by providing support to North American, Midland National, and Sammons Institutional Group agents, internal/external business partners and third parties in verbal and written communication using a professional and friendly approach. Calls must be handled according to company policy and procedure, Service Level and Quality Standard Agreements.
• Provide accurate information on calls regarding, but not limited to: contract status, set-up and changes, address changes, EFT set-up, annualization set-up/changes, beneficiary designation/changes, agent training, policy status, commissions schedules, commission rates, deferred compensation/agent retirement, agent of record status, completing forms, and provide standard established turnaround times; as applicable.
• Submit accurate and timely requests via workflow system to ensure work item is handled in accordance with varying departmental procedures. Have working knowledge of each department’s job function and all designated service level agreements to manage end user expectations
• Accountable for providing follow through to ensure problem or complaint resolution and notify individuals of action taken. Perceive, distinguish, and empathize with emotions of internal/external customers. Record calls (including electronic “tagging”), process requests, and update account history with results of inquiry to include proper documentation.
• Acquire and maintain working knowledge of North American, Midland National, and Sammons Institutional Group products. This includes staying familiar with the most up-to-date changes to procedures as well as completing any required training courses.
• Display a working knowledge of commissionable premium and target on products.
• Display a working knowledge of state appointment guidelines.
• Correctly identify appropriate regulations to ensure proper handling of requests. Verify and provide explanation for tax documents.
• Consult and coordinate with all other applicable departments including New Business, Customer Contact, Sales & Marketing, Customer Correspondence and the Annuity/Life Division.
• Meet departmental expectations for phone and written quality, average handle time, held and consulted calls, and eligibility.
• Navigate and provide direction to internal and external business partners to access policy information via external websites. Troubleshoot website issues and provide expert resource for agent related information.
• Identify, communicate and proactively work to solve problems or issues before a service breakdown or complaint occurs.
• Maintain multiple job functions such as incoming calls, e-mails, noting files, faxing, while being flexible between high and low call volumes while displaying exemplary customer service skills.
• Efficiently navigate multiple systems as well as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Provide trends and feedback to department leadership to be shared with division and senior leadership, as received through communications with external business partners. Openly discuss concerns within the area and/or team and provide ideas for improvement. Look for ways to improve a process and/or procedure and openly discuss your thoughts.
• Promote teamwork by supporting team members and sharing knowledge; provide feedback and coaching ideas for peer mentoring and personal development.
• Participate and apply continued training on additional job functions for department advancement. Participate in developmental workforce courses and apply learning.
• Assist management with determining and implementing efficient workflow methods.
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Accountability, Connection, Openness, Respect and Integrity).
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree Preferred
• Previous customer service/call center experience Preferred
• Must have the ability to learn and maintain a working knowledge of multiple companies and multiple lines of business
• Ability to consistently provide accurate information
• Quickly and accurately interpret the needs of the customer to ensure proper resolution
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with internal and external business partners
• Must have knowledge of and ability to maneuver through multiple legacy systems and information screens
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to resolve complex situations, including identifying necessary resources
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have strong organizational skills
• Ability to work efficiently and independently or in a team environment
• Able to adapt to frequent change

Other Requirements

• Criminal background check required.

Salary Range Information

USD $35,085.00 - USD $65,785.00 /Yr. Range includes data points from multiple labor markets. Specific range is dependent on the labor market where the incumbent will be hired to perform the position. Starting salary is dependent on candidate qualifications and experience. For a narrower salary range specific to your labor market, please inquire.

What you can expect when you join Sammons Financial Group

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA & FSA options, and term life insurance.
• Competitive compensation with a performance-based incentive program tied to clear goals and individual and/or company success.
• Invest in your future with our 100% company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), plus automatic enrollment in our 401(k).
• Work–life balance that means something. Friday afternoons off year-round, generous paid time off, and paid holidays.
• Commit to your growth with paid development time, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities across industry, individual, and leadership programs.
• Make an impact beyond the workplace through volunteer time off, and our company nonprofit matching gift program, supporting the causes that matter most to you.
• An ownership culture that inspires; join a connected, values-driven workplace where employees take accountability, support one another, and are empowered to do your best work—together shaping our future shared success.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we’re not considering candidates that need any type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, J-1, etc.)

Additional Information

Sammons Financial Group Is An Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

ADA Sammons Financial Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application or hiring process, including navigating our website or applying for a position, please contact [e-mail] or call 800-728-2987.

E-Verify Sammons Financial Group participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Policy for External Search Firms and Agencies Sammons Financial Group maintains an internal Talent Acquisition function and does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from search firms, staffing agencies, or other third-party recruiting vendors. Please review our Recruitment Agency Policy for additional information here.