The Group Benefits Consultant is responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of clients while providing strategic advice across all aspects of their group benefits programs. The Consultant serves as a trusted advisor to clients, helping them manage costs, improve plan sustainability, enhance the employee experience, and make informed decisions based on financial analysis, market insights, and industry best practices.
The role combines client relationship management, strategic consulting, financial and analytical expertise, renewal negotiation, plan design, business development, and client retention. The Consultant works closely with internal specialists, insurers, vendors, and other partners to deliver coordinated solutions and exceptional client experience.
The Benefits Consultant Will:- Lead and manage the overall relationship for an assigned portfolio of clients, acting as the primary strategic advisor on their group benefits programs.
- Develop a strong understanding of each client's business, workforce, objectives, challenges, and benefits strategy to provide relevant and proactive advice.
- Provide strategic consulting across plan design, funding arrangements, pricing, financial management, claims experience, employee experience, risk management, and cost-containment strategies.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, including key decision-makers and senior stakeholders.
- Manage client expectations and proactively address service concerns, issues, and emerging needs.
- Identify risks within clients' group benefits programs and recommend appropriate plan design, funding, risk management, and cost mitigation strategies.
- Develop and maintain annual client plans that align consulting activities and deliverables with each client's goals and priorities.
- Ensure clients continue to recognize the value of the services and solutions provided by People Corporation.
- Lead the annual renewal process, including analysis of claims experience, insurer projections, pricing assumptions, market trends, and alternative strategies.
- Analyze financial and utilization trends to identify key cost drivers, emerging risks, and opportunities for plan optimization.
- Develop and present renewal recommendations and financial strategies that balance cost management, competitiveness, sustainability, and employee needs.
- Negotiate renewals and financial terms with insurers and other partners to achieve competitive and sustainable outcomes for clients.
- Use benchmarking, market intelligence, and financial analysis to support plan design and strategic recommendations.
- Partner with actuarial and analytical resources on more complex forecasting, claims analysis, funding, and financial modelling requirements.
- Monitor the ongoing financial performance of client plans and proactively identify issues or opportunities rather than waiting until renewal.
- Develop and execute strategies that support strong client satisfaction, retention, and long-term relationships.
- Identify opportunities to expand relationships by introducing additional products, services, and solutions that address clients' evolving needs.
- Collaborate with specialists across People Corporation to bring forward integrated solutions in areas such as wellness, disability management, retirement, actuarial services, HR solutions, technology, and employee communication, where appropriate.
- Assume responsibility for new clients transitioned from the sales team and establish strong relationships through an effective onboarding process.
- Maintain accountability for the revenue and profitability of assigned client relationships and consulting engagements.
- Contribute to the growth of the practice through referrals, networking, prospective client meetings, proposals, and competitive opportunities.
- Participate in prospect presentations and Requests for Proposal where subject-matter expertise or consulting support is required.
- Build and maintain a professional network that supports new business opportunities and strengthens People Corporation's presence in the marketplace.
- Represent People Corporation at industry events, conferences, seminars, and other professional forums.
- Act as a strong ambassador for the People Corporation brand and its full range of capabilities.
- Build strong relationships with colleagues, shared services, practice areas, and subject-matter experts across the organization to deliver integrated client solutions.
- Foster strong relationships with insurers, vendors, and other industry partners to support effective solutions and outcomes for clients.
- Maintain current knowledge of the Canadian group benefits marketplace, including insurer practices, funding arrangements, plan design, benefits taxation, legislative and regulatory developments, emerging benefits trends, and vendor solutions.
- Maintain strong knowledge of People Corporation's products, services, capabilities, and resources and connect clients with appropriate specialists when needs arise.
- Participate in ongoing professional development to maintain and expand technical and consulting expertise.
To be successful as a Benefits Consultant with People Corporation, you will need:- 5+ years of progressive experience in group benefits, preferably in a client-facing consulting, insurer, brokerage, or advisory environment.
- Demonstrated experience providing strategic and innovative solutions to clients with complex benefits needs.
- Post-secondary degree or diploma in Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Business, Finance, Human Resources, or another relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and industry experience.
- Strong knowledge of the Canadian group benefits marketplace, including insured and experience-rated arrangements, administrative services only (ASO) arrangements, and flexible benefits programs.
- Demonstrated experience with group benefits renewals, financial analysis, plan design, insurer negotiations, and client presentations.
- Strong financial, analytical, and quantitative skills with the ability to turn complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Strong strategic and commercial mindset with the ability to understand a client's business priorities and connect them to benefits solutions.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and listening skills.
- Strong relationship-management skills and confidence working with senior client stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple clients, projects, deadlines, and competing priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
- Collaborative team player who builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Comfortable working with technology and using digital tools, analytical platforms, and multiple communication channels to deliver client service.
- Ability to work independently while effectively leveraging broader organizational resources and subject-matter experts.
- Completion of the Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP) or ability to complete licensing requirements within 90 days of joining.
- Group Benefits Associate (GBA), CEBS, or another relevant industry designation is preferred.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and maintaining current knowledge of the employee benefits industry.
- Ability to travel as required for client meetings, industry events, and business development activities.
- A valid driver's licence and access to transportation where required for the role.
All-star candidates will have:- Bilingual, with strong written and verbal communication skills in English and French.
- Progress toward, completion of, or good standing within the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) examination or qualification pathway.
- Experience advising mid-size and large employers or clients with complex benefits arrangements.
- Experience with flexible benefits, ASO arrangements, financial forecasting, claims analytics, or alternative funding strategies.
- Experience contributing to new business opportunities, proposals, finalist presentations, or competitive bids.
The base salary range for this position is $110,000 - $145,000 per annum.
This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). The actual base salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, the Talent Acquisition Specialist will be able to provide additional details of the total compensation for this role.
