Strategic Account Executive

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Arkansas; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Club Blue - onsite gym

Green Leaf Grill onsite restaurant

Wellness incentives

Job summary

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is seeking a Strategic Account Executive to serve as the executive liaison to national clients, focusing on growth, retention, and oversight of service and delivery. The role requires a strategic mindset to address healthcare policy, benefit trends, and market dynamics, with leadership across multiple internal teams.

The SAE will negotiate renewals, identify upsell opportunities, and develop multi-year plans while maintaining risk controls and client

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, or related field; five years' relevant experience in lieu of degree.

Responsibilities

• Develop multi-year strategic account plans tailored to national clients.
• Lead high-level client meetings to review performance and opportunities.
• Oversee service delivery and contract renewal with a data-driven approach.
• Guide internal teams to ensure superior client experience and risk mitigation.
• Provide market insights on healthcare policy, trends, and dynamics.

Skills

Executive-level communication

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Negotiation

Client management

Market insights

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Management

Experience in lieu of degree +5 years

Job description

Job Summary The Strategic Account Executive (SAE) serves as the executive liaison to national clients by acting as a strategic relationship leader. Emphasis will be placed on business growth and retention, in addition to providing oversight of service and delivery to clients. The executive will also provide market and industry insight in regard to healthcare policy, benefit trends, and market dynamics in addition to counsel on emerging healthcare trends, cost containment strategies, and employee engagement.

Requirements

EDUCATION Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, or related field. In lieu of degree, five (5) years' relevant experience will be considered.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

State Insurance (Arkansas Life and Disability Insurance) License within three (3) months of hire. Professional designations from AHIP such as Professional - Academy of Healthcare Management (PAHM), Fellow - Academy of Healthcare Management (FAHM), Certified Health Consultant (CHC), or Certified Life Underwriter (CLU).

Strategic Relationship Leader Serve as the executive liaison to national clients, establish and nurture relationships with senior-level decision makers (VP level up to C-suite). Develop multi-year strategic account plans tailored to each client’s evolving needs and industry trends. Lead high-level client meetings to review performance, discuss strategic opportunities, and introduce innovative healthcare initiatives.

Responsibilities

Business Growth and Retention Responsible for contract renewal and upsell/cross selling opportunities. Partner with product team to introduce new offerings and enhance client value. Lead renewal negotiations with consultive and data-driven approach. Oversight of Service and Delivery Ensure superior client experience by guiding internal teams (account manager, clinical and operational) on the execution of service commitments. Advocate for the client internally while ensuring operational compliance and risk mitigation. Monitor delivery metrics, resolve complex service issues, and identify opportunities for process improvement.

• Market and Industry Insight Stay current on healthcare policy, benefit trends, and market dynamics affecting large and jumbo employers. Provide strategic counsel to clients on emerging healthcare trends, cost containment strategies, and employee engagement.
• Strategic Relationship Leader Serves as the executive liaison to national clients, establishes and nurtures relationships with senior level decision makers (VP level up to C-suite). Develops multi-year strategic account plans tailored to each client’s evolving needs and industry trends. Leads high-level client meetings to review performance, discuss strategic opportunities, and introduce innovative healthcare initiatives.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Skills

• Executive-level communication and relationship building
• Strategic thinking and long-term planning
• Financial and business acumen
• Collaborative influence across multiple departments within the organization
• Active Listening
• Annual Planning
• Business Acumen
• Business Influence
• Client Needs Assessments
• Coaching Others
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• English Communications
• Financial Acumen
• Insurance Management
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Microsoft Office Development
• Negotiation Planning
• Oral Communications
• Presentation Delivery
• Professional Judgement
• Relationship Based Sales
• Researching
• Sales Growth
• Service Oriented
• Strategic Business Focus
• Strategic Counseling
• Written Communication

Certifications

Arkansas Insurance License Life & Health - Arkansas Insurance Department, Professional, Academy for Healthcare Management (PAHM) - American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)

Security Requirements

This position is identified as level three (3). This position must ensure the security and confidentiality of records and information to prevent substantial harm, embarrassment, inconvenience, or unfairness to any individual on whom information is maintained. The integrity of information must be maintained as outlined in the company Administrative Manual.

Segregation of Duties

Segregation of duties will be used to ensure that errors or irregularities are prevented or detected on a timely basis by employees in the normal course of business. This position must adhere to the segregation of duties guidelines in the Administrative Manual.

Employment Type Regular ADA Requirements 1.1 General Office Worker, Sedentary, Campus Travel

Someone who normally works in an office setting or remotely and routinely travels for work within walking distance of location of primary work assignment.

Arkansas Blue Cross is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in Central Arkansas.

Culture & Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Club Blue, a free, onsite gym to encourage exercise
• Green Leaf Grill and Green Leaf Grill Express, onsite restaurants in Little Rock that promote healthy eating
• Incentives for wellness education and exercise

We Love our Employees At Arkansas Blue Cross, we care about the health, wellness, and education of our employees.

We Love our Culture The average tenure is 10 years with hundreds of employees having been here 15 years or longer. Our inclusive culture brings employees together to connect while celebrating our differences.

We Love our Community Our employees often volunteer within their communities, at charity events, walks and runs, schools and nonprofits. When disasters strike, our employees help wherever they are needed. It’s just another way we show that Blue cares.