Account Executive, Benefits

Account Executive, Benefits

Virtus Insurance, a nine-time Best Places to Work in Insurance award-winner, is redefining what a modern brokerage looks like. We are fast, specialized, and relentlessly client-centric, operating across Benefits, Real Estate, Hospitality, Private Capital, Construction, Retail & Distribution, Food & Beverage and Small Business / Personal Lines. Our culture rewards ownership, excellence, and fearless pursuit.

We are looking for an experienced, technically strong Account Executive, Benefits who thrives in a high-performance environment and is passionate about delivering a world-class client experience.

The Account Executive, Benefits is a senior client service and strategy role responsible for managing a defined book of mid-market and upper-middle-market Benefits clients. This individual ensures flawless delivery of our Benefits service model, executes renewal and marketing strategies, provides guidance on compliance and plan design, and collaborates closely with Producers and Practice Leadership to improve client outcomes.

This role requires strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build trusted advisor-level relationships with HR and Finance leaders.

Who Thrives at Virtus:

• Embody the Virtus Core Values: Better Tomorrow, Fearless Pursuit, One Virtus.
• Excel in a fast paced, client obsessed environment.
• Have strong technical expertise across medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and ancillary benefits.
• Are a disciplined operator who values process, accuracy, and accountability.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with clients, carriers, and internal teams.
• Are proactive, responsive, and solutions oriented.
• Thrive as part of a collaborative, high performing Benefits team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for a defined book of Employee Benefits clients.
• Lead client communication on renewals, service deliverables, compliance requirements, and ongoing support items.
• Maintain deep understanding of each client's workforce, culture, challenges, and benefits strategy.
• Conduct renewal meetings, mid year reviews, and strategic planning sessions with HR and Finance stakeholders.
• Deliver a consistent, high quality client experience that aligns with Virtus' standards of excellence.
• Resolve complex service issues, carrier challenges, claims escalations, and administrative problems.
• Develop and execute annual benefits strategies for clients, including plan design optimization and cost containment recommendations.
• Analyze renewal underwriting, carrier pricing, and plan performance.
• Manage carrier marketing efforts: RFPs, analysis of proposals, network comparisons, and disruption analyses.
• Provide guidance on:
• Fully insured vs. self-funded structures
• Stop loss market strategy and contract provisions
• Pharmacy benefit management strategy
• Ancillary and voluntary benefit plan options
• Funding arrangements and contribution modeling
• Ensure plan structures align with each client's goals and cost management priorities.
• Translate complex benefits concepts into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Ensure clients remain compliant with all applicable regulations including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and state-specific mandates.
• Prepare or support required documentation: SBCs, annual notices, 5500 preparation coordination, eligibility/ERISA items.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation within CRM and agency management systems.
• Support open enrollment execution, including OE project plans, communications, and presentations.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure timely delivery of all service calendar items.
• Own the full renewal process: data collection, analysis, modeling, market strategy, and client delivery.
• Review carrier underwriting, trends, utilization, and cost drivers to build compelling negotiation strategies.
• Present clients with financial modeling and funding alternatives.
• Ensure renewal deliverables meet Virtus' quality, accuracy, and documentation standards.
• Support growth and retention goals within assigned accounts.
• Work closely with Producers on new business opportunities, finalist presentations, and strategic planning.
• Support onboarding new clients through implementation, carrier transitions, and administrative setup.
• Collaborate with analysts, account managers, and managers to drive process improvements and strengthen overall team performance.
• Participate in internal meetings to share insights, identify risks, and enhance operational excellence.

Qualifications:

• 5–7+ years of experience in Employee Benefits account management or consulting.
• Strong technical understanding of medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, disability, and voluntary benefits.
• Experience with fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded medical plans.
• Comfort working directly with HR, Benefits, and Finance leaders.
• Strong negotiation and carrier-relationship management skills.
• High proficiency with benefits systems, HRIS/ben admin platforms, and Microsoft 365.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, RHU or similar designations preferred.
• Active Life & Health license required.

What Will Make You Stand Out:

• Deep expertise in self-funded strategies, stop-loss negotiations, and claims analysis.
• Experience supporting mid-market and larger groups (100–1,000 lives).
• Strong analytical ability and financial modeling skills.
• Demonstrated ability to improve process efficiency and client outcomes.
• Proven ability to deliver an exceptional client experience in a fast-moving environment.

Physical Requirements: The employee must be able to sit, use hands to handle or feel, talk or hear frequently; and occasionally stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. Must have close and distance vision.

Travel: Approximately 10%-20% dependent on client needs.

Why Join Virtus? Virtus offers the freedom and trust to build a world-class practice within a supportive, high-performance environment. We invest in our people through:

• Market-leading compensation and bonus programs
• 401(k)
• Health, dental, and vision
• Unlimited PTO
• Continuous professional development
• An entrepreneurial culture where great ideas become reality

Push Forward – We've got your back!