Senior Associate Consultant, Employee Benefits

Conner Strong & Buckelew; Camden (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

PTO

Job summary

Conner Strong & Buckelew in Camden, NJ, seeks a Senior Associate Consultant in Employee Benefits to assist a service team with a portfolio of accounts. You will analyze plan performance, evaluate costs, support renewals, and contribute to client communications and strategy development.

The role requires at least 6 years of middle‑market or large‑group EB experience, knowledge of self‑insured and fully insured plans, and a US life/health license.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of middle‑market and/or large‑group Employee Benefits service experience.
• Experience in analysis and design of Health & Welfare plans and strong technical knowledge for strategy development and marketplace negotiations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of self‑insured and fully insured plans.
• Experience with private and public sector clients.
• Experience in plan cost analysis, claim analysis, reconciliation, and financial evaluation.
• In‑depth knowledge of compliance and benefit‑plan regulatory issues.
• Ability to develop and manage key relationships at all levels within the EB/Conner Strong organization and with external clients and carriers.
• Excellent organizational, communication, decision‑making, interpersonal, collaborative, and consultative skills; proven ability to multitask under pressure.
• Ability to negotiate, influence, and meet deadlines with minimal support from the supervisor.
• Strong business acumen and proven leadership with the ability to develop and manage key internal and external relationships.

Responsibilities

• Assist the EB Consultant as a key member of the service team, ensuring client satisfaction and retention standards are met while servicing a portfolio with an expected revenue of $1.5M‑$3M.
• Analyze and negotiate rate renewals and year‑end financials on behalf of clients, preparing for renewal negotiations through detailed analysis of client objectives, claims experience, benchmarking, and market trends.
• Participate in client strategy processes to develop bid specifications, select vendors, manage RFPs, analyze and present proposals, coordinate site visits, and develop employee communications.
• Analyze employee benefit programs, contribution policies, eligibility requirements and client objectives, operating within budgetary constraints and mandatory servicing requirements.
• Help develop recommendations for alternate vendor relationships, plan designs, and contribution strategies aligned with the customer’s budget, recruitment, and employee retention goals.
• Stay current on industry trends, new products, legislation, regulatory requirements, coverage, compliance, and technology; communicate changes and address issues proactively.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue within the portfolio.
• Prepare and present reports; update Benefit Point as needed.
• Mentor Client Service Associates and serve as a backup to Associate Consultants and Employee Benefit colleagues on other service teams.
• Communicate with the Employee Benefit Consultant and/or sales team on any issues or concerns affecting accounts.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Client relationship management

Negotiation

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Senior Associate Consultant, Employee Benefits

Department: Employee Benefits

Job Summary

Working with an Employee Benefit Consultant, the Senior Associate Consultant will be responsible for assisting in servicing a portfolio of accounts. The role supports the service team, understands client business goals and how benefit programs align with those goals, and focuses heavily on analysis of plans, financial evaluation, product lines, and trend and cost analysis of claim history.

• Assist the EB Consultant as a key member of the service team, ensuring client satisfaction and retention standards are met while servicing a portfolio with an expected revenue of $1.5M‑$3M.
• Analyze and negotiate rate renewals and year‑end financials on behalf of clients, preparing for renewal negotiations through detailed analysis of client objectives, claims experience, benchmarking, and market trends.
• Participate in client strategy processes to develop bid specifications, select vendors, manage RFPs, analyze and present proposals, coordinate site visits, and develop employee communications.
• Analyze employee benefit programs, contribution policies, eligibility requirements and client objectives, operating within budgetary constraints and mandatory servicing requirements.
• Help develop recommendations for alternate vendor relationships, plan designs, and contribution strategies aligned with the customer’s budget, recruitment, and employee retention goals.
• Stay current on industry trends, new products, legislation, regulatory requirements, coverage, compliance, and technology; communicate changes and address issues proactively.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue within the portfolio.
• Prepare and present reports; update Benefit Point as needed.
• Mentor Client Service Associates and serve as a backup to Associate Consultants and Employee Benefit colleagues on other service teams.
• Communicate with the Employee Benefit Consultant and/or sales team on any issues or concerns affecting accounts.

Other Functions

• Attend meetings weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly at both Conner Strong and client facilities.
• Serve as an on‑call contact outside regular working hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of middle‑market and/or large‑group Employee Benefits service experience from a leading brokerage or consulting firm.
• Experience in analysis and design of Health & Welfare plans and strong technical knowledge for strategy development and marketplace negotiations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of self‑insured and fully insulated plans.
• Experience with private and public sector clients.
• Experience in plan cost analysis, claim analysis, reconciliation, and financial evaluation.
• In‑depth knowledge of compliance and benefit‑plan regulatory issues.
• Ability to develop and manage key relationships at all levels within the EB/Conner Strong organization and with external clients and carriers.
• Excellent organizational, communication, decision‑making, interpersonal, collaborative, and consultative skills; proven ability to multitask under pressure.
• Ability to negotiate, influence, and meet deadlines with minimal support from the supervisor.
• Strong business acumen and proven leadership with the ability to develop and manage key internal and external relationships.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience required.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis without company sponsorship.

Specialized Knowledge or Licenses

Valid state Life and Health Insurance License required; a CEBS, RHU, or CLU designation is strongly preferred.

Working Conditions

Office environment with moderate noise level; must be able to work flexible hours and travel to other Conner Strong buildings and client work sites regularly.

Salary Range: $70,000–$120,000. Base pay will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, and education.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits including family medical and dental insurance, 401(K) plan, and PTO.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Conner Strong & Buckelew is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability, marital or domestic partnership, civil union status, pregnancy, family medical history, genetic information, military service or any other status protected by law.