Strategic Account Executive

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Little Rock is seeking a Strategic Account Executive to serve as the executive liaison to national clients. You will lead strategic account plans, oversee service delivery, and drive business growth and retention while advising on healthcare policy, benefit trends, and market dynamics.

The role requires 10+ years in consulting or sales in national accounts, a Bachelor's degree or five years experience, state insurance license within 3 months, and AHIP

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, or related field; five years' relevant experience allowed in lieu of degree.
• State Insurance License (Arkansas Life and Disability) within three months of hire; AHIP designations encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Serve as executive liaison to national clients and establish relationships with senior decision makers.
• Develop multi-year strategic account plans aligned with client needs and market trends.
• Lead high-level client meetings to review performance and discuss opportunities.
• Oversee contract renewals and identify upsell/cross-sell opportunities.
• Partner with product teams to introduce new offerings and enhance client value.
• Lead renewal negotiations with data-driven approach.
• Guide internal teams to deliver superior client experience and mitigate risk.
• Monitor delivery metrics and drive process improvements.

Skills

Executive-level communication

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Relationship building

Negotiation

Client needs assessments

Coaching

Decision making

Oral communications

Written communication

Presentation delivery

Sales growth

Strategic counseling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

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
• 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 Deliver

• 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

Experience

Minimum 10 years' experience in consulting, sales or account management in the national account market.

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

Skills

• 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

Responsibilities

• Business Growth and Retention
• Responsible for contract renewal and upsell/cross selling opportunities
• Partners with product team to introduce new offerings and enhance client value
• Leads renewal negotiations with consultive and data-driven approach
• Market and Industry Insight Stays current on healthcare policy, benefit trends, and market dynamics affecting large and jumbo employers Provides strategic counsel to clients on emerging healthcare trends, cost containment strategies, and employee engagement
• Oversight of Service and Delivery Ensures superior client experience by guiding internal teams (account manager, clinical and operational) on the execution of service commitments Advocates for the client internally while ensuring operational compliance and risk mitigation Monitors delivery metrics, resolves complex service issues, and identifies opportunities for process improvement
• Performs other job duties as assigned.
• 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

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.