Sr. Labor Liaison Rep

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is seeking a Union Relations professional to build and sustain strong relationships with major unions that influence group health insurance purchases. The role focuses on serving as a knowledgeable resource, gathering market data, and advising on strategy to help BCBSM penetrate, retain, and upgrade groups.

Responsibilities include coordinating with corporate marketing, responding to leadership requests, and delivering educational programs on healthcare topics

Qualifications

• Two years of college; BA/BS preferred in marketing or business administration.
• Five+ years in the described knowledge areas with union sales emphasis.
• Licenses required within 90 days: Michigan Accident & Health Insurance license and valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective communication with top level union leadership.
• Serve as a resource on group health insurance and guide strategy discussions.
• Gather information on potential groups and assist marketing with strategy and problem resolution.
• Respond to union and corporate requests regarding sale, retention and upgrading of groups.
• Develop and deliver educational programs on healthcare issues for union personnel.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Two years college

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or Business Administration preferred

Tools

PC applications

Job description

This position is accountable to establish and maintain effective lines of communication and build effective working relationships with key union leadership that purchase and/or influence the purchase of group health insurance, which will enhance BCBSM ability to penetrate, retain and upgrade groups within our markets.

• Establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with top level leadership of major unions and their staffs that purchase and/or influence the purchase of group health care insurance.
  
• Establish self as a resource on group health insurance, which will encourage union leaders to seek advice and counsel.
  
• Gather information on potential groups, assess the situation and provide this information to the appropriate corporate marketing representative followed by consultative support on strategy and problem resolution.
  
• Respond to requests for advice and/or information on group health insurance needed by top level leadership of major unions in the collective bargaining or decision‑making process regarding their short and long‑range objectives.
  
• Respond to the requests for information and assistance from corporate management and representatives on the sale, retention and upgrading of groups.
  
• Assess changes and trends with union leaders and keep management advised of potential problems and opportunities.
  
• Coordinate activities and share information with others in similar positions, which will enhance both areas’ ability to meet their accountabilities.
• Provide consulting assistance and staff support to the BCBSM association and to other BCBSM plans on their meeting efforts when major corporations or industry wide council bargaining is involved.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with appropriate BCBSM internal department management, external enrollment management, federal and state mediators, consultants and attorneys, in addition to top level union leadership.
  
• Plan and conduct educational programs on health care issues for union organization personnel.
  
• Develop sales strategy and related sales tools needed to effectively market new health care products and promote current corporate policies.
  
• Initiate use and acceptance of sales strategy and marketing tools by Field Sales representatives, agents and Marketing Training personnel in order to ensure unified marketing efforts.
  

• Perform other related duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of college. Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or Business Administration preferred.
  
• Five (5) or more years related experience in the specific knowledge requirement areas described below.
  
• Sales experience with emphasis on customer relations and collective bargaining preferred.
  

• If an employee is selling/negotiating a price as part of the duties and responsibilities of this job, the following licenses are required within 90 days of the employee's start date or 90 days from license expiration date.

  1. Valid Michigan Accident and Health Insurance License.

  2. Valid and unrestricted driver's license is required.

• Position requires highly developed interpersonal and communication skills with analytical, planning, organizing and problem‑solving skills in a leadership capacity.
  
• Must have demonstrated self‑starter qualities along with tact and resourcefulness in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
  
• Ability to plan and conduct educational programs on healthcare issues.
  
• Knowledge of the industrial relations field, major unions’ organization structure, philosophy, internal operation and the collective bargaining process.
  
• Must be able to write health care specifications for negotiations and contracts and be knowledgeable of BCBSM and the account policies, procedures and products.
  
• Must possess knowledge of BCBSM contracts, benefits and Underwriting requirements.
  
• Knowledge of BCBSM internal organization, professional/facility reimbursement and health care economics.
  
• Skilled in discussion and conference techniques.
  
• Working knowledge of PC applications including keyboarding to use automated on-line systems.
  
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
  
• Other related skills and/or abilities may be required to perform this job.
  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other grounds, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability. Candidates are hired on an "at will" basis. Nothing herein is intended to create a contract.