At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we’re committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsibilities

The Account Executive will be responsible for leading and growing a portfolio of high-value and/or complex clients. This role involves strategic client management, business development, and delivering tailored benefits solutions. The Account Executive works with producers, consultants and clients to ensure the timely and successful delivery of our employee benefit and/or Human Resource solutions. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in employee benefits, exceptional leadership skills, and a visionary approach to client management.

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with high-value clients, serving as their primary point of contact for all employee benefits related matters.

Conduct thorough assessments of clients’ benefits needs and provide customized solutions that align with their goals and budget.

Collaborate with clients to design and implement complex and innovative employee benefits plans, including fully-insured and self-insured health, dental, vision, life insurance, and other ancillary benefits or insurance programs.

Lead the renewal process for existing clients, negotiating with carriers to secure the best rates and coverage options. Oversee team members supporting this process.

Develop and execute strategic plans to expand the client portfolio, enhance service offerings, and drive business growth.

Advise clients on sel f-insurance options, including plan design, risk assessment, and cost management strategies.

Review healthcare claims data to identify cost drivers and provide data-driven insights to optimize benefits plans and manage costs effectively.

Support client team with renewal management, product applications and contract paperwork as needed.

Ensure that carriers and vendor partners are performing services expected and in the best interest of the client.

Track key account metrics and provide timely reporting updates.

Interface with carriers/vendors to ensure accurate and timely responses to client inquiries.

Lead regular meetings with clients and vendors.

Possess an understanding of all benefit programs offered and underwriting guidelines of the various employee benefit carriers.

Ensure that all benefit plans comply with relevant regulations and maintain accurate documentation for all client interactions and transactions.

As applicable, understand HR concepts and trends to be able to share with client.

Create and deliver open enrollment or other presentations for clients.

Provide ongoing education and support to clients, helping them understand their benefits options and make informed decisions.

Provide customer service with problem solving and troubleshooting for clients and employees/members as requested. Handle member claims issues as needed.

Participate in client calls and meetings.

Support the team on various projects and participate as contributing member of team in client initiatives.

Mentor and support junior team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Participate in sales initiatives and cross selling programs and marketing events.

Stay up to date with industry trends, market developments, program changes or laws and regulations that affect benefit programs to provide clients with most current and relevant information.

Foster an environment that upholds the OneGroup Way.

Ancillary Duties:

As an integral member of Retail Banking, this position is responsible to provide assistance wherever necessary to help the Branches and the Bank in achieving their annual goals. May be called upon to travel to other branches in the area to provide support as needed and to ensure proper staffing levels.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Requirements:

Four-year College Degree in Business, Finance, or a related field preferred.

NY Life and Health License preferred, if role is focused on Benefits

SHRM-CP preferred, if role is focused on HR Consulting

Skills & Experience:

10+ years’ experience in Employee Benefits, Insurance Brokerage, or HR, or equivalent experience preferred

Deep knowledge of employee benefits products and services

Healthcare actuarial and/or underwriting experience preferred

Professional certifications (ex. CEBS, GBA) are a plus

Strong leadership experience and a strategic mindset

Demonstrated success in business development and client acquisition preferred

Account Management experience preferred

Excellent written and communication skills

Proven ability to manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously

Skills in related technology, Microsoft office, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Committed to providing excellent customer service

Work independently and be resourceful in supporting projects and tasks

Excellent organizational skills

Ability to work effectively and efficiently with team members

Excellent presentation skills

Travel:

May require overnight travel for client meetings and will require travel locally to client locations.

Other Job Information

Compensation: Commensurate with experience plus potential for annual merit increase. In addition to your competitive salary, you will be rewarded benefits including: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!

Other:

This role may require completion of an assessment. Candidates whose results do not fall within the range(s) established for the position will not be moved ahead to the next phase in the hiring process, and will receive notification accordingly.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk or sit. Use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, and speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to focus.

The Company is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

The Company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. If you have a physical or mental impairment and would like to request an accommodation with respect to the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.

Minimum

USD $80,000.00/Yr. Maximum

USD $139,633.00/Yr.