Client Manager, Employee Benefits

The MJ Companies; Carmel (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The MJ Companies, based in Carmel, Indiana, is seeking a Benefits Specialist to manage client onboarding, project planning, and daily interactions with vendors and clients. The role demands expertise in benefits programs, project management, and excellent communication skills.

The successful candidate will ensure compliance with regulations, facilitate open enrollment, and provide customer service in resolving billing and eligibility issues. Ideal applicants should have a Life & Health License and at least five years of customer service experience in the insurance industry.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in customer service or marketing with a focus on insurance and benefits.
• Proficient in project management, prioritization, and problem-solving.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Guide clients through their benefits program needs.
• Manage new client onboarding and benefit administration.
• Facilitate open enrollment sessions and handle communications.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Skills

Client-facing customer service

Project management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Life & Health License

Tools

Microsoft Office

Agency Management System

Job description

This role will guide clients through their benefits program needs, offering both short- and long-term solutions. Key responsibilities include project planning, project management, implementation, and the daily management of employee benefits vendors. This role provides day-to-day customer service to clients, including helping to resolve issues related to billing, claims and eligibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Client Onboarding and Implementation

• Manage new client onboarding and benefit administration configurations.
• Work with Client Executive to execute implementation processes, including meetings, documentation, and coordination with carriers and vendors.
• Set up new groups, renewals, and terminations, ensuring seamless client transitions and accurate record maintenance.
• Participate in client meetings as needed.

Client and Vendor Relations

• Serve as day-to-day point of contact for clients and vendors, handling queries, meetings, and communications, including escalated claims and eligibility issues.
• Maintain client advocacy lists and manage billing and enrollment audits to ensure service quality.
• Save and organize crucial correspondence and meeting notes to ensure consistency and accessibility of information.

Compliance and Reporting

• Assist in preparing and reviewing documents like NQTL Analysis Forms and COBRA updates to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate annual compliance tasks for clients in collaboration with internal Compliance Team.

Marketing and Renewals

• Lead and project manage the renewal and marketing process, including preparing and distributing RFP packets, analyzing and reviewing proposals; providing recommendations to the Sales/Consulting team.
• Engage in pre-marketing strategies, gather analytics from marketing and ensure client needs are met effectively.
• Review and maintain executed client contracts, plan documents, SBCs, SPDs, Business Associate Agreements and amendments for accuracy; provide final approval to carrier/TPA, and coordinate delivery to client.
• Verify receipt of final client contract from carrier/TPA/vendor; review final contract to ensure reflection of negotiated terms and accuracy of data.

Open Enrollment and Communications

• Facilitate open enrollment sessions, using tools like Knovio for presentations and handling communication tasks to ensure smooth operations.
• Review and assist in updating benefit guides to ensure they are comprehensive and reflective of current offerings.

Operational Support

• Manage carrier communications, including termination letters and documentation related to sold proposals and renewals.
• Update essential operational documents like the EB Playbook and Benefits Inventory to keep internal teams informed and aligned with client needs.
• Ensure internal systems are up-to-date and accurate; maintain client benefit plan information in Agency Management System and Document Management System.
• Attend team and department meetings as needed.

EDUCATION

• Life & Health License (required upon hire).

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Preferred minimum of 5 years of experience with client-facing customer service and/or marketing with an in-depth knowledge of the insurance brokerage business; preferably with self-funded benefit plans, medical stop-loss and ancillary coverages.
• Demonstrated skills: project management, prioritization, problem-solving, sense of urgency, detail-oriented, excellent organizational and time management, follow-through and ability to work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; professional presentation skills.

TECHNICAL FUNCTIONS

• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Familiar with the use of an Agency Management System and Document Management System (BenefitPointexperience a plus).
• Strong project management and client service skills.