Client Relationship Manager, Employee Benefits - IAS West

Baldwin Group Colleague; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Baldwin Group in Irvine, CA is seeking a Client Relationship Manager (CRM), Employee Benefits. You will be the primary liaison between clients and carriers, managing benefit programs, renewals, and service inquiries. You will provide guidance on coverage, ensure compliance, and support a Peace of Mind client experience.

You will collaborate with the Client Success Specialist, advisors, and carriers to ensure timely, accurate service delivery and drive client satisfaction and retention.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits programs and brokerage operations.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Commitment to exceptional client service.
• Attention to detail in materials review.
• Experience with agency management systems and MS Office; familiarity with Zywave.
• Ability to build client relationships through proactive communication.
• Cross-functional collaboration with internal teams.
• Strong presentation skills, both verbal and written.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong client relationships as the primary contact.
• Assess client needs and tailor benefit solutions, including evaluating existing programs.
• Lead renewal processes with benchmarking, claims experience, contribution modeling, and plan design options.
• Manage the client service calendar, onboarding, renewals, open enrollment prep, compliance updates, and plan docs.
• Ensure benefit programs comply with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA and related filings.
• Liaise with carriers to negotiate contracts and resolve issues.
• Oversee new client onboarding aligned with the Peace of Mind process.
• Collaborate with Client Success Specialists and internal teams on data needs and workflows.
• Develop employee communications and enrollment materials.
• Maintain accuracy and timeliness in all interactions.
• Identify and escalate opportunities to improve processes and tools.

Skills

Client relationships

Analytical skills

Project management

Customer service

Attention to detail

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Brokerage Builder

Microsoft Office

Zywave

Digital workflow tools

Job description

The Baldwin Group is an award-winning entrepreneur‑led and inspired insurance brokerage firm delivering expertly crafted Commercial Insurance and Risk Management, Private Insurance and Risk Management, Employee Benefits and Benefit Administration, Asset and Income Protection, and Risk Mitigation strategies to clients wherever their passions and businesses take them throughout the U.S. and abroad.

The Baldwin Group has award‑winning industry expertise, colleagues, competencies, insurers, and most importantly, a highly differentiated culture that our clients consider an invaluable expansion of their business. The Baldwin Group (NASDAQ: BWIN), takes a holistic and tailored approach to insurance and risk management.

The Client Relationship Manager (CRM), Employee Benefits, is the primary liaison between insurance carriers and clients, managing employee benefit programs, renewals, and day‑to‑day service inquiries. They ensure plan compliance, analyze benefit trends, and provide advice and guidance on coverage, with the goal of driving client relationships, satisfaction, and retention. The CRM applies practical benefits knowledge to ensure timely, accurate deliverables and supports the delivery of a consistent "Peace of Mind" client experience. This role collaborates closely with the Client Success Specialist, Advisor, carriers, and internal Baldwin support colleagues to ensure excellent service delivery.

Position Summary

The Client Relationship Manager (CRM), Employee Benefits, is the primary liaison between insurance carriers and clients, managing employee benefit programs, renewals, and day‑to‑day service inquiries. They ensure plan compliance, analyze benefit trends, and provide advice and guidance on coverage, with the goal of driving client relationships, satisfaction, and retention. The CRM applies practical benefits knowledge to ensure timely, accurate deliverables and supports the delivery of a consistent "Peace of Mind" client experience. This role collaborates closely with the Client Success Specialist, Advisor, carriers, and internal Baldwin support colleagues to ensure excellent service delivery.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong client relationships as the primary point of contact, proactively communicating expectations, updates, and strategic recommendations.
• Assess client needs and develop tailored benefit solutions, including evaluating existing programs and identifying opportunities for additional coverage.
• Lead the renewal process by preparing, analyzing, and effectively presenting benefit options, benchmarking, claim experience, contribution modeling, and plan design alternatives.
• Manage the client service calendar, including onboarding, renewals, open enrollment preparation, compliance updates, and delivery of required plan documentation.
• Ensure benefit programs comply with federal and state regulations (ERISA, HIPAA, ACA) and oversee related compliance activities such as 5500 filings and plan documents.
• Liaise with carriers and vendors to negotiate contracts, resolve issues, solicit proposals, and manage policy activity to ensure timely, accurate service delivery.
• Oversee new client onboarding in alignment with the Peace of Mind process, including timely C‑suite engagement.
• Partner with Client Success Specialists and internal teams to clarify data needs, monitor task progress, and maintain consistent, high‑quality workflows.
• Develop employee facing communication materials, including Benefit Guides, and coordinate or conduct enrollment meetings.
• Maintain high standards of accuracy, timeliness, and completeness in all interactions.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, tools, and workflows, escalating issues to leadership as needed.

Required Knowledge & Experience

• Strong industry knowledge of benefit programs, preferably in a brokerage firm.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• A commitment to providing exceptional client service.
• Ability to evaluate complex information, identify issues within defined parameters, and recommend next steps.
• Strong attention to detail when reviewing materials for completeness and accuracy.
• Proficiency with Agency Management Systems (e.g., Brokerage Builder), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) Products, Zywave and digital workflow tools.
• Able to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and follow structured processes to support client commitments.
• Build strong relationships with clients through responsive, reliable communication and a proactive service‑oriented approach.
• Demonstrates firm's core values with aligned corporate culture. Including reliability, integrity, and follow‑through; communicates clearly about status and next steps.
• Works effectively within cross‑functional teams, contributing to shared objectives and escalating issues constructively.
• Strong presentation skills, both verbal and written communications.

Qualifications

Bachelor's