Job Overview The Benefits Associate serves as a key member of the Employee Benefits team by supporting the planning, marketing, implementation, and ongoing administration of employee benefit programs. Working closely with Employee Benefits Consultants, the Benefits Associate manages the renewal process, prepares client analyses and proposals, coordinates carrier and vendor relationships, maintains benefits administration systems, and assists with client implementations. This position plays an integral role in delivering exceptional client service through strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective project management while helping ensure the successful administration of employee benefit programs. Benefits Paid Time Off (PTO) Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Life Insurance Disability Insurance Mon-Fri Schedule Career Growth Opportunities BCBS Health Insurance Hands on Training Paid Holidays Employer Paid Short Term Disability Cancer Insurance FSA/HSA/Dependent Child Care Spending Acct. Employee Assistance Program Critical Illness Insurance Bereavement Leave Requirements Three to five years of experience in employee benefits, insurance, finance, or a related business field, or 60 hours of college coursework. An associate's or bachelor's degree is preferred. Kansas Accident & Health insurance license, or the ability to obtain one within an established timeframe. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office. Experience with Employee Navigator, Applied Epic, or similar benefits administration and agency management systems preferred. Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and provide exceptional client service. Responsibilities Actively manages the renewal process along with the Benefits Consultant Helps manage renewal negotiations with the insurance/stop loss carriers, working with Benefits Consultant on claims analyses Manages RFP process for medical, Rx, dental, vision, life, DI, and voluntary benefits Builds relationships with carriers and vendors Prepares spreadsheets to display and communicate renewal plan information Creates the formal renewal proposal to include renewal analysis, contribution modeling, benchmarking, and recommendations Creates and updates Benefits Booklets for clients Builds and maintains client and plans in Employee Navigator. Processes carrier changes for existing clients by ensuring paperwork/employer applications are completed, signed, submitted, and received, and providing enrollment census to the carrier Updates/documents renewal plan information in Applied Epic (CRM), including renewing and adding policies For self-funded clients, creates monthly or quarterly claims analysis report Actively participates in training programs to enhance benefit industry knowledge Assists team with overflow projects like conducting billing audits, helping with client billing issues, etc. Attend client meetings as invited by Benefits Consultant and as needed present the renewal proposal to the client Support Benefits Consultants in demonstrating detailed Employee Navigator benefits admin functionality as invited Manage the onboarding process for new clients including Employee Navigator About Us Conrade Insurance Group is a family-owned business founded in Newton, Kansas in 2006. With over 50 employees across our Newton and Wichita offices, we're proud to serve a wide range of industries, including healthcare, public entities/education, construction, and manufacturing. In fact, we insure more hospitals and school districts than any other agency in the state! We're passionate about our community and actively involved in making a positive impact. As independent insurance agents, we work with a variety of insurance companies to find the tailored coverage solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients, whether they're businesses or individuals.