Benefits Consultant

ABOUT HUB INTERNATIONAL:

HUB International Limited (“HUB”) is the 5th largest global insurance and employee benefits broker, providing a broad array of property, casualty, risk management, life and health, employee benefits, investment and wealth management products and services. With over 18,000 employees in 500+ offices throughout North America, HUB has grown substantially, in part due to our industry leading success in Mergers and Acquisitions.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU:

At HUB we believe in investing in the future of our employees.  Our entrepreneurial culture fosters an environment of open feedback and improvement that empowers our people to make the best decisions for our customers and organization.  We offer:

• Competitive salaries and benefits offerings
• Medical/dental/vision insurance and voluntary insurance options
• Health Savings Account funding
• 401k matching program
• Company paid Life and Short-Term Disability Plans
• Supplemental Life and Long-Term Disability Options
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous PTO Package - Vacation, Holiday, Sick, and Personal Time Off
• Great work/life balance, because that’s important for all of us!
• Focus on creating a meaningful environment through employee engagement events
• The ability to be a part of a motivated, winning team with the opportunity to learn from colleagues who are amongst the top talent in the industry!
• Growth potential - HUB is constantly growing and so can your career!
• A rewarding career that helps local businesses in the community
• Strong community support and involvement through HUB Gives
   

SUMMARY:

A Benefits Consultant (BC) interfaces with a group of clients (a book of business) to strategize and propose viable solutions to manage the menu of benefit options that the client offers to its employees.  BCs partner with clients and assist them with 1) emerging trends in employee benefits, 2) their annual renewal process, and 3) other possible options that would enhance or meet the goals of the client; the end product of this partnership is intended to add value to the client, enabling the client to be competitive in their own industry.  BCs quickly assess the nature of any given problem, understand thoroughly the expectations of the client, and consistently meet or exceed those expectations.  BCs must contribute to and flourish in a team environment, learn and exemplify the Hub Fundamental 5, and engage in regular professional development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Consulting – understands key business issues for clients and the role Benefits play in their business & articulates long-term benefit goals & develops strategic plan to achieve them.
• Educate, support & becomes a trusted advisor to each client
• Address client problems and issues, understands expectations & consistently meet through viable solutions. Acts proactively when potential issue is uncovered
• Strategically plans and executes plan renewals, staying in regular communication with the clients and updating them on various emerging trends and solutions for their business needs.  Anticipates concerns developing from the renewal process. 
• Understands thoroughly and stays abreast of changes in employee benefits, including plan designs, available riders, legislation, and emerging trends. 
• Attends training opportunities, reads and shares industry knowledge, regularly participates in coursework to either earn or maintain professional designations. 
• Alerts client to potential issues (legislative and coverage information). Provides and explains compliance package annually.
• Shadows other consultants in the field periodically to study other business segments, techniques, and consulting styles. Invites other consultants to shadow his appointments.
• Meets regularly (at least 2x/year) with medical and ancillary carrier reps to get updates on the latest innovations and strategies.  Fosters a good professional relationship with carrier reps by meeting with them and by providing feedback on their quotes.
• Conducts client presentations in a consultative (logical, professional and informative) manner.  Encourages feedback from the client and projects confidence
• Assesses cross selling opportunities with all clients.  Encourages client to be innovative.  Involves Voluntary Consultant and Financial Representative as appropriate.  Asks client for referrals and generates new sales opportunities.
• Discusses strategic partnerships with client, including ADP, Chase, Carrier Wellness offerings, COBRA administration, FSA administration, etc.
• Discusses compensation and value proposition with client.  Discusses compensation adjustment when necessary.
• Strives for 100% client retention
• Provides accurate and timely client deliverables according to Performance Standards.  Reviews all presentation material thoroughly well in advance of meeting and checks to ensure there are no errors and that content is pertinent and practical.  Ensures that follow up issues are handled timely and communicated to client.
• Makes use of and offers to clients HUB Value Added Services, including Benefit Summaries, Mywave (20+), POP plans, Wellness Communications Plans, Hope Health newsletters, etc.
• Builds and maintains strong relationship with client HR and Benefits staff and upper management through regular communication
• Proactively reaches out on a regular basis. 
• Acts as a mentor for the Associate Benefit Consultant, Account Manager, BA/CSS and ISR. Assists in growth and development through constant communication and instruction. Delegates appropriately, set expectations and hold members accountable.
• Holds regular team meetings.  Keeps team informed and communicates thoroughly and clearly with all team members concerning client issues, renewals, and proactive work.  Positively influences the team members; uses the HUB Essential 7 effectively to mediate concerns, offer encouragement and praise, promote engagement, and build good working relationships. 
• Uses Benefit Point to document and assign all client service issues and key steps in the renewal process
• Ensures that the implementation and transition processes for all carrier changes are handled smoothly with minimal disruption.  Communicates and documents major issues and changes.  Stays on top on “next steps”.  Ensures that submission and all applicable documents are processed accurately and timely.
• Proactively checks and verifies all information (new rates, employee enrollments and changes, ID cards, etc.).  Promptly addresses and solves problems generated through the renewal process.
• Is prepared, organized, and methodical.  Has a system for tracking and managing the various issues and projects that are in process.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 3-5+ years’ experience in benefits including a strong knowledge of self-insured plans, ancillary lines, and current legislation
• Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) highly preferred
• Georgia Life and Health license is required or willing to complete ASAP
• Professional Designations (RHU, REBC, CEBS) a plus
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to interact effectively with people of various responsibility and authority (employees, key contacts, executives, etc.).
• Highly organized.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects at once