Employee Benefits Department Manager

Martin & Zerfoss, Inc.; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days PTO

10 paid holidays

Comprehensive benefits package

Continuing education

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Martin & Zerfoss, Inc. is seeking an Employee Benefits Department Manager in Nashville, TN. This hybrid, manager-level role oversees a small team, maintains key client relationships, and ensures high-quality benefits administration.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in employee benefits account management, a Tennessee Life & Health License, and supervisory experience. Applied Epic experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Tennessee Life & Health License required.
• 3–5 years of employee benefits account management experience.
• At least 1 year of supervisory/people management experience.
• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field desirable though not required.
• Experience using Applied Epic insurance management platform.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a small benefits team of 2–4 people.
• Manage benefits client accounts with focus on exceptional service.
• Provide day-to-day oversight of workflows and guidance on procedures.
• Facilitate renewals, open enrollment, and plan marketing processes.
• Act as benefits advocate for employees, addressing questions and claims.

Skills

People management

Team leadership

Organization

Time management

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Applied Epic

Job description

Martin & Zerfoss, Inc. is an independent insurance agency in Nashville, TN. We specialize in all areas of Personal, Commercial, Bonds, Affluent Lines, Professional Liability Insurance, and Benefits & HR Consulting. From our small beginnings in 1978 to the great staff of professionals with us today, we have always believed in the value of relationship. We are excited to have another talented individual join our team.

About the Role

Martin & Zerfoss, Inc. is seeking an Employee Benefits Department Manager for a full-time, manager-level role in Nashville, TN. This position will oversee a small team of 2-4 people while maintaining responsibility for key client relationships and benefits account management. The position has a hybrid work arrangement, with 3 days in-office and 2 days WFH after the initial in-person training period. In this role, the Employee Benefits Department Manager will:

• Manage Benefits client accounts with the focus on providing exceptional customer service.
• Lead, coach, and support a small team of Benefits professionals, helping prioritize workload, resolve escalated client issues, and ensure consistent service delivery.
• Provide day-to-day oversight of team workflows, including delegation, follow-up, quality review, and guidance on agency and department procedures.
• Serve as a resource and escalation point for complex client service matters, carrier/vendor issues, renewals, open enrollment strategy, and benefits administration questions.
• Stay up to date with current trends in employee benefits and continuously evaluate and adjust benefits packages to ensure they meet client needs and remain competitive in the market.
• Facilitate benefit plan renewals and marketing processes and add new lines of coverage to enhance clients’ total compensation offerings.
• Plan and facilitate open enrollment and post enrollment meetings with various clients.
• Manage the submission of all appropriate documents to carriers and ensure the seamless implementation of benefits packages.
• Act as a dedicated benefits advocate for employees to help with benefit questions and claims resolution.
• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues, carriers, and vendors.
• Utilize Applied Epic to manage and track all work.
• Follow agency and department workflows and procedures to complete daily tasks.
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations.
• Embody our Agency Core Values in all work: Integrity/Honesty, Proactive Problem Solver, Empathy, Strong Work Ethic, Team Player.

About you

• Tennessee Life & Health License
• 3-5 years of experience in employee benefits account management, with a strong understanding of benefits administration, renewals, open enrollment, carrier relationships, and client service best practices
• At least one year of supervisory, team lead, or people management experience, including coaching team members, assigning work, and supporting performance and development
• Bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field is desirable though not required
• Experience using an insurance management platform; Applied Epic highly preferred
• Able to reliably commute to our West Nashville office at least 3 days per week after the initial training period
• Exemplary organization, time management and prioritization skills with a focus on timeliness and completeness when interacting with clients, colleagues, insurance carriers and individual employees
• High degree of professionalism along with excellent business writing and communication skills
• Team player that contributes to a positive work culture
• Comfortable balancing hands-on account management responsibilities with team leadership, workflow oversight, and service quality expectations

Salary range between $100,000 - $130,000/year + bonus, commensurate with experience

20 days of PTO to start

10 paid holidays

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability, 401k and a variety of other benefits

Continuing education

Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over

sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.