Strategic Account Executive

Strategic Account Executive

The Strategic Account Executive position serves as the strategic leader or member of the client management team for the most complex benefit accounts and is responsible for client satisfaction, strategic planning, and quality assurance. Strategic Account Executives are also responsible for supporting our sales Agent(s) in producing new business and renewing existing business. Strategic Account Executives serve as an advocate to our clients and their employees through positive relationships with the various carriers and continuous education.

Essential Tasks:

• Manages a complex book of business and accounts comprised of clients with mostly of self-funded methods, advanced contract features, and structures that require a higher level of expertise
• Provides strong insurance technical expertise to clients and members of the internal account management and sales teams
• Works at a strategic level to develop and retain consultative, partnership relationships with customers/prospects
• Creates and executes proactive and ongoing contact initiatives
• Develops, executes, and monitors comprehensive customer service plans that reflect the customer's business and risk management goals
• Delegates administrative client tasks to account team members
• Serves as the main point of contact for "C Suite" clients, which includes all escalated issues
• Serves as primary internal contact to coordinate all deliverables for clients
• Works with Internal Partners, Clients, and Carriers to ensure accurate and timely responses to all outstanding issues
• Oversees data preparation for all Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and manage the marketing/negotiation process for clients
• Assists in the preparation of renewal and new business proposals
• Prepares standard and custom materials needed for client meetings, including but not limited to agendas, reports, calendars, and other handouts
• Educates and advises as a technical expert for clients on all employee benefit topics ranging from specific insurance products to compliance topics and data analysis
• Ensures client accounts are compliant, including educating and advising clients as well as executing compliance requirements and deadlines
• Identifies and educates clients on product opportunities for new business and promotes cross-selling
• Attends and presents at local enrollments/client meetings as necessary (occasional travel may be required)
• Maintains various actuarial and data analytical reports for clients
• Consults regularly with clients to review claims experience and trends to discuss strategies
• Documents items in the agency management system
• Maintains current, sound documentation of all pertinent business-related activities and communications regarding clients' accounts and ensures protection and security of sensitive client data
• Acts as a mentor for employees that are new to the employee benefits industry and assists with training/continuing education of less senior employees
• Other miscellaneous projects that support the overall department and team
• Attends and completes any training sessions or assignments as required
• Performs other related tasks as needed

Core Competencies:

• Ability to Analyze and Solve Problems: Skill in recognizing challenges, exploring options, and implementing effective solutions in a timely manner
• Attention to Detail: A strong focus on completing tasks and projects accurately and thoroughly
• Communication Skills: Capable of expressing ideas clearly in both verbal and written forms and engaging with various audiences
• Timely Task Completion: Ability to finish tasks and projects efficiently, managing resources and priorities effectively
• Team Collaboration: Willingness to work together with others, promoting teamwork and supporting shared goals
• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and addressing the needs of clients and stakeholders to ensure their satisfaction
• Dependability: Acknowledgment of the importance of being present and punctual
• Creative Thinking: Openness to suggesting new ideas and methods to improve processes and outcome
• Organizational Skills: Capability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Adaptability: Willingness to adjust to changing situations and priorities, showing resilience in a dynamic work environment

Experience and Education:

• 10+ years of extensive experience within the insurance industry
• Experience with self-funded financial arrangements and general Administrative Services Only (ASO) experience required
• Experience with a full range of group employee benefit products, including applicable carrier networks, carrier administrative guidelines, and compliance requirements required
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
• Licensing and Credentials: Active Life & Health License required. Industry-related designations preferred

Systems:

• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Applied Epic experience preferred, but knowledge of similar Account Management System (AMS) is acceptable

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Repeated use of sight to read documents and computer screens
• Repeated use of hearing and speech to communicate on telephone and in person
• Repetitive hand movements, such as keyboarding, writing, 10-key
• Walking, bending, sitting, reaching and stretching in all directions

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies: To protect the interests of all parties, Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc., and our partners, will not accept unsolicited potential placements from any source other than directly from the candidate or a vendor partner under MSA with Higginbotham. Please do not contact or send unsolicited potential placements to our team members.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.