Client Relationship Executive - Southern California - Sun Life Financial

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

At Sun Life, we look for optimistic people who want to make life brighter for our Clients. We understand the value of diverse cultures, perspectives, and identities, and want you to bring your full and authentic self to work. Every day, you’ll be empowered and challenged by working with dynamic colleagues to find new and innovative ways to make Sun Life the best benefits company in America. 

The opportunity: 

 The Client Relationship Executive (CRE) is responsible for the overall relationship and financial management of a portfolio of group benefit clients for the employer segment 100-1,999 enrolled employees. This position is a key account management and revenue generating resource for policyholders, brokers and the SLF organization. This position is focused on internal and external partnerships and strategies that will result in long term growth and persistency.

The Client Relationship Executive represents the entire range of employer and employee-paid SLF products and services to the marketplace. The CRE will proactively seek opportunities to increase revenue; both organically and through cross-sell opportunities. The CRE is a Trusted Advisor to the broker/policyholder and educates and trains their customers while maintaining the perspective of the customer and Sun Life. The CRE will respond to the customer’s needs through strong internal collaboration and partnerships.

How you will contribute: 

• Establishes and maintains excellent working relationships with brokers and plan sponsors for their life, dental, disability and other voluntary or group benefit plans and program by providing end to end business solutions, education and service
• Collaborates with SLF personnel, including sales, support, service, and management resources, in order to meet customer’s expectations. Proactively provide value-added solutions while meeting growth and persistency objectives and managing customer’s expectations
• Meets assigned targets for growth (including cross-sell) and persistency. Establish and take ownership of a business plan to focus on block management, growth and development
• Proactively assesses, clarifies, and validates customer needs on an ongoing basis. Uses customer needs to propose innovative solutions to address unique needs
• Develops and maintains excellent working relationships with internal service departments to oversee resolution of issues, identification of root cause and participation in creation of solutions
• Participates in Finalist presentations, representing the Sun Life account management and service value story in a consistent and confident manner 
• Partners and collaborates with territory EBR to ensure a mutual understanding of territory goals and objectives.  Consistently communicates with EBR partner on execution plan to meet the territory goals and objectives
• Partner with Implementation Consultant to ensure a seamless implementation in which all questions and concerns can be addressed proactively on the front end

Leadership, Communication & Relationship Management

• Displays integrity through transparency, honest dealings, predictable reactions and well-controlled emotions. Demonstrate the ability to be fair and consistent in all professional dealings. Regularly acknowledge each team member’s contributions and successes to the team.
• Takes ownership of action and thought. Understands value in partnership and displays a strong understanding of the culture of Sun Life, of the market, their customers and brokers
• Relationship management skills; demonstrated ability to build and foster productive and healthy relationships with sales and home office partners
• Addresses conflict by working with others to resolve differences in a professional and productive manner
• Partner closely with field sales partners, client advocate partners and home office staff.  Foster strong relationships based on trust, open and honest dialogue
• Maintain and represent the integrity of our organization while balancing the needs of the client
• Ability to independently organize and prioritize daily/weekly working structure to meet business activity goals and customer needs

• Ability to communicate to customers how to most effectively work with Sun Life to foster more BA self service capabilities.
• Business planning; establish a proactive contact strategy
• Effectively develop and deliver a written and elevator pitch: Company, Product and Self  
• Positioning statements for ensuring future growth opportunities

What you will bring with you: 

• Strong presentation, interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills
• Effective listening skills; note taking, recording data; active listening skills
• Proven consultation and client management relationship skills
• Demonstrates resilience by reacting positively to changes and maintains poise, focus and flexibility when encountering difficulties or obstacles
• Customer focused; able to develop and drive a client relationship management strategy independently; demonstrates drive for results
• Adept at project management and multi-tasking
• Superior Collaboration Skills
• Results oriented/goal driven
• Self-starter; able to work successfully both independently and interdependently within a team environment and within a mobile environment
• Strong analytical, mathematical and problem solving skills;
• Solid understanding of product pricing, profitability and risk/underwriting rules/guidelines; renewal positioning
• Ability to travel  - estimated at 20%

Education

• 4-5 years industry experience; Employee Benefit industry and/or knowledge of Group Benefit design
• College degree preferred
• Must hold current insurance license or have ability to obtain immediately
• Basic understanding of competitor products

Do you see yourself in this role even if you haven’t checked all the boxes above? We welcome all talented candidates and are committed to a culture that represents diversity in all forms. If you think you might thrive in this setting, we would love to hear from you. 

Not ready to apply yet but want to stay in touch? Join our talent community to stay connected until the time is right for you! 

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life 

• Excellent benefits and wellness programs to support the three pillars of your well-being – mental, physical and financial – including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, a partially-paid sabbatical program, medical plans, company paid life and AD&D insurance as well as disability programs and more 
• Retirement and Stock Purchase programs to help build and enhance your future financial security including a 401(k) plan with an employer-paid match as well as an employer-funded retirement account  
• A flexible work environment with a friendly, caring, collaborative and inclusive culture  
• Great Place to Work® Certified in Canada and the U.S.  
• Named as a “Top 10” employer by the Boston Globe's “Top Places to Work” two years running 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 

Salary Range: $78,100 - $117,200

At our company, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. The salary range for this role is competitive nationwide, and we strive to ensure that compensation is fair and equitable. Your actual base salary will be determined based on your unique skills, qualifications, experience, education, and geographic location. In addition to your base salary, this position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive award based on your individual performance as well as the overall performance of the business. We are dedicated to creating a work environment where everyone is rewarded for their contributions.

We consider various factors in determining actual pay including your skills, qualifications, and experience.  In addition to salary, this position is eligible for incentive awards based on individual and business performance as well as a broad range of competitive benefits. 

Sun Life Financial is a leading provider of group insurance benefits in the U.S., helping people protect what they love about their lives. More than just a name, Sun Life symbolizes our brand promise of making life brighter -for our customers, partners, and communities. Join our talented, diverse workforce and launch a rewarding career. Visit us at www.sunlife.com/us to learn more. 

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.  

Our Affirmative Action Program affirms our commitment to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitation of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please email thebrightside@sunlife.com to request an accommodation.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.