Sr. Principal Lead Health & Benefits Consultant

Mercer; Norwalk (CT); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercer is expanding its Health & Benefits practice and seeking a Sr. Principal Lead Health & Benefits Consultant to drive growth while advising large employer clients on medical, dental, life, and disability programs.

The role is hybrid with a requirement to be in the office at least three days per week and can be based in several Northeast offices. You will lead engagements, design innovative benefit strategies, and build client relationships to shape Mercer’s H&B offerings.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required.
• Minimum of 12+ years’ experience designing, recommending, and implementing health & benefits solutions for large employers.
• Recognized expertise and strong reputation in health & benefits field.
• Proven client-facing experience in a consulting environment.
• Valid Life & Health license.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, strategic client engagements, overseeing service delivery, financial evaluations, plan design, renewals, placements, benchmarking, and targeted studies.
• Develop innovative benefits design and renewal strategies addressing complex client challenges.
• Create tools, methodologies, and scalable solutions to address client needs and support growth of Mercer’s H&B practice.
• Define scope of services for engagements and align roles across client teams.
• Communicate Mercer’s strategic perspective on industry trends to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Own revenue and profitability for assigned accounts and projects; pursue growth opportunities.
• Track project success against scope, budget, schedule, and client satisfaction metrics.
• Generate new business by expanding existing client relationships and pursuing targeted opportunities.
• Shape strategic direction and create demand for new products and services in H&B.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Client relationship management

Business development

Analytical skills

Presentation to clients

Education

BA/BS degree

Job description

Mercer is expanding — join us as a strategic Sr. Principal Lead Health & Benefits Consultant to help lead growth and drive the Mercer H&B practice into the future. This role is part of our Health & Benefits team and can be based in one of our Northeast offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, or Philadelphia. This is a hybrid position with a requirement to work in the office at least three days per week.

As a Sr. Principal Lead Health & Benefits Consultant, you will be a strategic partner to large-market employer clients (2,000+ lives), advising on medical, dental, life, and disability programs. You will act as the subject‑matter expert, negotiate with carriers and vendors to secure health and welfare coverage, and serve as the primary consultant and relationship leader for your clients. A core part of this role is driving business growth — identifying opportunities, expanding client relationships, and shaping Mercer’s H&B offerings for the future.

Key responsibilities

• Lead complex, strategic client engagements, overseeing service delivery, financial evaluations, plan design, renewals, placements, benchmarking, and targeted studies.
• Develop innovative benefits design and renewal strategies that solve complex client challenges and differentiate Mercer in the market.
• Create tools, methodologies, and scalable solutions to address client needs and support the practice’s growth.
• Define the full scope of services for engagements and set clear roles and responsibilities across client teams.
• Communicate Mercer’s strategic perspective on industry trends and emerging solutions to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Own revenue and profitability for assigned accounts and projects; proactively identify and pursue growth opportunities.
• Track project success against scope, budget, schedule, and client satisfaction metrics.
• Generate new business by expanding existing client relationships and leading targeted prospecting and pursuit efforts.
• Shape strategic direction and create demand for new products and services that advance Mercer’s H&B practice.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required.
• Minimum of 12+ years’ experience designing, recommending, and implementing creative, effective health & benefits solutions for large employers.
• Recognized expertise and strong reputation in the health & benefits field.
• Proven client-facing experience in a consulting environment.
• Valid Life & Health license.

What will make you stand out

• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and acquiring new business within health & benefits.
• Strong, innovative sales and marketing skills with the ability to position Mercer’s capabilities and win in the marketplace.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, with experience using data to shape strategy and demonstrate impact.
• Clear strategic thinking, superior communication, and active listening skills.
• Proven leadership and project management experience delivering large, complex engagements and leading cross‑functional teams.

Why join Mercer

• Play a central role in growing a leading H&B practice and shaping its future direction.
• Access meaningful professional development, challenging work, and supportive leaders committed to your growth.
• Join an inclusive culture where collaboration and new ideas are encouraged and rewarded.
• Benefit from Mercer’s global scale and the career mobility, benefits, and resources that support personal and professional well‑being.

The applicable base salary range for this role is $150,000 to $225,500.

The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. Decisions will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance‑based incentives.

#MERHBUS

Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Marsh is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, veteran status (including protected veterans), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting [e-mail].

Marsh is committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All Marsh colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one "anchor day" per week on which their full team will be together in person.

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