Lead Associate, Voluntary Benefits Consulting

The Voluntary Benefits Practice represents another solution set as we seek to serve the range of client needs. Voluntary benefits are one of the largest growth segments in the benefits arena, and are to be positioned as an integral part of our clients’ Total Rewards strategies. WTW views voluntary benefits as an expansion opportunity for our current client base as well as a differentiation strategy through an integrated approach for new business development efforts. As such, we expect the Voluntary Benefit (VB) initiative will accelerate our growth within Health & Benefits for current and new client organizations.

As a VB Lead Associate, you will be responsible for supporting VB sales and placement and will collaborate with others to ensure a successful client experience throughout the client project lifecycle. You will contribute to a wide variety of complex projects involving the design, financing, delivery, and communication of the full spectrum of voluntary plans including supplemental medical, permanent life, legal, identity theft protection, group auto & homeowners, pet, discount programs, employee payroll deduct purchasing and others. You will interface with vendors and key clients internally and externally, create client deliverables, and ensure quality standards are met. You will assist with leading continuous process improvement initiatives and will collaborate with large teams internally and externally.

Note: Employment-based non-immigrant visa sponsorship and/or assistance is not offered for this specific job opportunity.

Performance Objectives:

Clients

• Support/manage multiple sales tracking processes using Dynamics and internal Smartsheet reports
  • Manage databases of WTW partner offices and key personnel and regional carrier reps
  • Support management of VB sales pipeline, pre-sales intake form
  • Update standard reports at designated frequency
• Support the strategic assessment and sales preparation for existing Mid-Market clients and prospects, including but not limited to the following:
  • Support/Drive client calls (e.g. client discovery, underwriting, finance)
  • Assist with client contract preparation and tracking (SOW/PDD)
  • Prepare client profile intake form and financial projections (Proforma)
  • Proactively provide product and sales recommendations to VB sales team
  • Develop client ready reports and presentations
• Project management, scheduling and coordination for Mid-Market producer office visits (as applicable)
• Assemble and analyze vendor proposals into side-by-side comparisons of design and pricing components for client facing colleagues
• Have functional and applicable knowledge on product, plan selection, vendor engagement, and integration capabilities
• Proficiency in key sales tools and ability to lead initiatives such as:
  • Conducting demographic analysis using client census data
  • Evaluating client plan designs and rates against benchmark
  • Assisting Placement with the VB Vendor RFP process
  • Validating commissions and fees received
  • Facilitating client contracting through Adobe Sign

Excellence

• Conduct benchmarking studies and other research for clients; provide value added analyses and summaries
• Analyze and compare vendor products, services and contracts
• Assist in resolving project issues and escalations
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues and clients regarding all aspects of internal and client project execution
• Provide technical and editorial review of work prepared by other colleagues
• Provide process expertise in multiple areas of enrollment
• Prioritize and execute key tasks
• Assist with developing and improving tools and processes

Financial

• Review / manage commission information
• Reconcile commissions and revenue to plan
• Drive documentation and audit process
• Meet billable hours expectations
• Support client retention and growth efforts

People

• Build strong relationships with internal and external resources
• Demonstrate natural ease and effectiveness when dealing with clients/colleagues at all levels
• Mentor and develop more junior level colleagues
• Share feedback with others timely and effectively that will enhance client, vendor and/or employee experiences

The Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience, ideally gained in a group benefit consulting/brokerage firm or insurance carrier
• Proven experience successfully managing projects and producing quality deliverables on time and within budget
• Flexibility and proven ability to diagnose and resolve issues; strong client service orientation
• Ability to ask the right questions and seek help where appropriate
• Ability to respond to all communications effectively and in a timely manner
• Ability to work both independently and on client teams and enjoy a fast-paced environment
• Self-starter; interest in continually challenging oneself and willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone
• Ability to think beyond the task at hand and understand how one’s work fits into the broader landscape
• Strong analytical and integrative skills including ability to draw conclusions and identify trends from data in a logical, systematic way
• Hold a valid insurance license or be willing to obtain within your first 90 days
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field required
• Ability to travel – approximately 10%
• This role will be working remotely within the United States.

This position will remain posted for a minimum of three business days from the date posted or until sufficient/appropriate candidate slate has been identified.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range and benefits information for this position are being included in accordance with requirements of various state/local pay transparency legislation. Please note that salaries may vary for different individuals in the same role based on several factors, including but not limited to location of the role, individual competencies, education/professional certifications, qualifications/experience, performance in the role and potential for revenue generation (Producer roles only).

Compensation

The base salary compensation range being offered for this role is $80,000 - $90,000 USD per year.

This role is also eligible for an annual short-term incentive bonus.

Company Benefits

WTW provides a competitive benefit package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Accident, Group Critical Illness, Life Insurance, AD&D, Group Legal, Identify Theft Protection, Wellbeing Program and Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program)
• Leave Benefits: Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (includes state/local paid leave where required), Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, ADA, Jury Duty, Military Leave, and Parental and Adoption Leave), Paid Time Off
• Retirement Benefits: Qualified contributory pension plan (if eligible) and 401(k) plan with annual nonelective company contribution. Non-qualified retirement plans available to senior level colleagues who satisfy the plans’ eligibility requirements.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

EOE, including disability/vets