Benefits Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Benefits Specialist position is a hands-on executive that works closely with the Commercial Risk Officer and other benefit leaders to design, plan, implement and analyze the group and individual benefit programs. This internal role is focused on ensuring the ARcare supplemental benefit programs enhance the organization's ability to recruit, retain, and motivate employees. The external role is focused on sales and service of group and individual benefits to retail clients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Prospect and sell individual and group benefits to retail employers while servicing existing accounts
• Work closely with fellow sales staff on onboarding new group accounts including financial products such as 401k plans
• Provide client support to retail group accounts through enrollment, education, technical assistance and any other functions of value
• Design and assist in implementation of a supplemental insurance program that delivers comprehensive benefits to maximize coverage while effectively managing costs to ensure a highly competitive benefit offering
• Analyze benefit programs by evaluating the usage, services, coverage, cost, programs, contracts, and effectiveness of current plans.
• Maintain relationships with outside vendors including brokers, carriers, and others to support the organization’s growth and changes related to benefit administration.
• Assist with planning, coordinating and educating employees of annual supplemental benefits during open enrollment period.
• Design, lead and present supplemental benefits to all new ARcare hires during orientation
• Consult & enroll new ARcare employees in supplemental benefits
• Make recommendations and implement needed improvements that align with the company’s goals and strategies
• Assist with negotiating annual contracts and renewals, investigating new benefit programs, and improving existing programs and processes.
• Assist with series of workshops focusing on the benefits of effective benefit management and hyper-coordination of high-risk plan members.
• Assist with the design and implementation of a series of educational videos that brings awareness to employees/plan members of the benefit associated with maintaining system integrity.
• Ability to work with senior-level management and have a top-level executive presence
• Serve as resource to ARcare employees who need assistance with insurance related issues
• Performs other duties as assigned

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred; translatable experience may be accepted.

Experience: Minimum of five years' experience within the insurance industry.

Computer Skills: Microsoft Word and Excel; and customized software. Ability to learn and adapt to changing technologies as the organization changes.

Certificates & Licenses: Maintain insurance license (Life/Health) in the state of Arkansas. Obtain and maintain Self-Funded certification within 12 months of employment.

Other Requirements: Ability to relate with consideration and effectiveness to the staff of ARcare, prospective employees, and external agencies and persons with whom this department interacts. Ability to facilitate training in a classroom setting as well as one on one training. Willing to attend continuing education related to this position. Knowledge of payroll/payroll tax related requirements.