Account Specialist, Employee Benefits

OVERVIEW

Forum (an Alera Group company) is seeking a qualified, motivated, and detail oriented Account Specialist to join their Employee Benefit's team.

Forum was founded in Greenville, SC in 1999 as Palmetto Benefit Management, an independently owned insurance agency specializing in employee benefit planning and administration. In January of 2017, Forum joined 23 other entrepreneurial insurance and financial services companies across the United States to form Alera Group, an employee benefits, property/casualty, risk management and wealth management firm with approximately $1.3 Billion in annual revenue. Alera Group has grown to over 5,000 employees in over 220 local offices and is now one of top 10 independent brokerage firm in the US.

As a local office partner for Alera Group, we bring national resources such as Legal & Compliance, Actuarial & Reinsurance, Captives, Data Analytics & Benchmarking, HR Administration & Technology, and Wellness & Total Health Management to our local clients. In January 2024, Forum rebranded to Alera Group to capitalize on our commitment to Collaboration.

The Account Specialist role supports the Account Management team by managing a broad range of technical and administrative responsibilities associated with the client life cycle. Specific duties include assisting with group enrollment and implementation, renewal processes, presentation and proposal preparation, and systems maintenance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Update and maintain agency management & compliance systems consistent with client information and associated workflow

• Preparation of client communication materials including the Benefit Booklet, PowerPoint presentations and any other communication materials

• Request, review, coordinate updates and track client plan documents such as booklets, contracts, Form 5500's, etc.

• Provide general administrative support as requested by Account management team

• Maintain a current working knowledge of industry legislative and compliance for clients, including but not limited to COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA, etc.

• Foster and maintain business relationships with carrier-vendor partners, clients and stakeholders

• Participate in the training and development of all Alera Group team members

• Other duties as required by clients, business needs or assigned by Account Management team

• Manage multiple clients including simultaneous renewals and implementations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent communication and writing skills required

• Abstract reasoning and analytical abilities

• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment in stressful situations

• Skilled at balancing tight timelines and competing priorities while maintaining a customer-focused positive attitude

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite - specifically Word, Excel & PowerPoint

• Ability to manage confidential information (HIPAA)

• Team player with enthusiastic attitude to service clients

• High level of personal initiative, integrity and professional ethics

• Ability to work respectfully with diverse populations both internally and externally

• High School Diploma require

• College degree or course work preferred

• Minimum of 2 years customer service experience. Insurance industry knowledge preferred.

• Applicable State Life and Disability License (or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire)

• Commitment to ongoing professional continuing education

• Benefit Administration System / Payroll System knowledge and/or experience

• Ability to perform Audits for groups

• Compliance knowledge

BENEFITS

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

If you're a California resident, please read the California Consumer Privacy Act before applying.

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