Job Description

Job Summary:

The Pod Leader is responsible for leading a Group Benefits Pod to achieve growth, profitability, client retention, and service excellence. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across a cross-functional team, ensuring resources are effectively aligned to meet client needs and business objectives.

The Pod Leader drives business performance through client relationship management, talent development, financial oversight, and execution of growth strategies while serving as a key contributor to the overall success of the Business Unit. The role requires a high degree of independent judgment, decision-making, and leadership influence.

A Day in The Life:
• Lead and oversee the performance of a Group Benefits Pod, ensuring achievement of growth, profitability, client retention, service, and operational objectives.
• Develop and execute annual Pod business plans aligned with Business Unit goals and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with sales, service, and operational leaders to drive new business, strengthen retention, and expand client relationships through strategic consulting and cross-selling.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key clients, carrier partners, and stakeholders while serving as an executive-level resource for strategic accounts.
• Lead client stewardship and strategic planning meetings to deliver exceptional client experiences and outcomes.
• Monitor financial performance, including revenue, expenses, profitability, resource utilization, and key business metrics; implement action plans to achieve short- and long-term objectives.
• Coach, develop, and mentor Team Leaders and Pod colleagues to support engagement, performance, career growth, succession planning, talent development, and retention.
• Establish priorities, allocate resources, and ensure consistent execution of workflows, quality standards, and operational processes.
• Stay informed on industry trends, market developments, and emerging solutions to enhance client outcomes and business performance.
• Contribute to Business Unit and enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.
• All other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need:
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Business Management, or a related field required.
• Significant progressive leadership experience within the employee benefits or insurance brokerage industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading client service, consulting, sales, or operational teams.
• Strong understanding of employee benefits products, carrier relationships, market trends, and client strategies.
• Proven success in developing and executing business growth and retention strategies.
• Experience managing financial performance, budget accountability, and profitability objectives.
• Life & Health License required.
• CEBS or other relevant industry designation preferred.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship management abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, agency management systems, analytics tools, and related business technologies.

Who You Are:
• Strategic and business-minded leader.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused.
• Decisive, confident, and comfortable making complex business decisions.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to exceptional service and experience.
• Financially astute and results-driven.
• Strong coach and talent developer.
• Effective communicator and influencer.
• Analytical and data-informed.
• Adaptable and resilient in a changing environment.
• Innovative and forward-thinking.
• Highly accountable with strong personal integrity.
• Motivated by building high-performing teams and achieving business outcomes.

Travel Expectations:
Moderate Travel (10-35%)
• Regular local and occasional overnight travel (up to 35%) may be required, including by car or air, depending on business needs.
• Travel may include visits to regional offices, client meetings, or industry events.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Provides leadership and performance management for Team Leaders and other Pod colleagues. Responsibilities include workforce planning, hiring, coaching, development, performance management, succession planning, work assignment, employee engagement, and employee relations activities. Exercises independent judgment in making personnel, operational, and business decisions that support Pod and organizational objectives.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

This role involves typical duties performed in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please us at [redacted] to discuss your specific need.
• Physical Requirements: Primarily sedentary work involving sitting, typing, and handling office equipment. Occasional walking, standing, and lifting up to 10 pounds may be required.
• Manual Dexterity & Vision: Requires sufficient manual dexterity and visual acuity for computer use, data analysis, and document preparation.
• Work Environment: Standard indoor office setting with moderate noise levels and climate control.

Work Schedule & Hours:

Exempt

Full-time hours: Core business hours of Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and/or occasional weekend hours totaling 40 or more hours per week; no overtime payable. (FLSA Status: Exempt)

Note: Job responsibilities and travel expectations at this level will often require the performance of job duties beyond the normal workweek schedule.