Willis Towers Watson

As a Lead Health and Benefits Associate you will contribute to a wide variety of complex projects involving the design, financing and ongoing management of the full spectrum of health and benefit programs. You will serve as the lead project manager on select projects, interface with vendors and key clients internally and externally, create client deliverables, and ensure quality standards are met. You will have the opportunity to significantly grow your health and benefits business acumen as well as your financial, project management and client relationship skills by working on cutting edge projects alongside leaders in the industry.

Note that visa employment-based non-immigrant visa sponsorship and/or assistance is not offered for this specific job opportunity.

The Role

• Materially contribute to core health and benefits projects involving the design and management of group medical, dental, life, disability and time off benefits for large, complex clients, including:
• Benefit plan analysis, design, cost savings and funding strategies
• Vendor procurement, negotiation and optimization
• Incorporation of specialized health management, absence and disability management, pharmacy, data analytics and compliance strategies
• Partner with Consultants to deliver superior project management on select clients
• Perform financial analyses including developing pricing and employee contributions strategies, modelling plan design alternatives and calculating reserves
• Conduct benchmarking studies and other research; provide value added analyses and summaries
• Analyze and compare vendor products, services and contracts
• Design, distribute and evaluate responses to surveys and RFPs
• Build relationships internally and collaborate effectively on cross-functional teams
• Review analytical work, mentor and develop junior level staff
• Contribute to the development of new intellectual capital

The Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience dealing with the financials of health and welfare plans, ideally gained in a benefit consulting/brokerage firm or health underwriting / actuarial function of an insurance company
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and produce quality deliverables on time and within budget
• Flexibility and proven ability to identify and resolve issues
• Strong client service orientation and ability to respond to all communications effectively and in a timely manner
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Self-starter attitude and ability to work individually and as part of a team
• Strong analytical, creative and integrative skills
• Desire to mentor/develop more junior staff
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly in Excel and PowerPoint
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with significant quantitative coursework
• State Life and Health license required within 90 days of joining
• Pursuit of CEBS designation, or health and welfare actuarial / underwriting training desired

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits information for this position is being included in accordance with requirements of the California Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Please note that the salary range listed relate specifically to roles located in California and that salary ranges for similar positions located in other WTW locations may vary. In addition, salaries may vary for different individuals in the same role based on several factors, including but not limited to individual competencies, education/professional certifications, experience and performance in the role. 

Compensation 

The salary compensation range being offered for this role is $80,000-$100,000 USD. This role is also eligible for an annual short-term incentive bonus. 

Company Benefits 

WTW provides a competitive benefit package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Accident, Group Critical Illness, Life Insurance, AD&D, Group Legal, Identify Theft Protection, Wellbeing Program and Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program)

Leave Benefits: Paid holidays, annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state /local paid leave where required), Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Other leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, ADA, Jury Duty, Military Leave, and Parental and Adoption leave) Paid Time Off

Retirement Benefits: Contributory pension plan and Savings Plan (401k). Certain senior level roles may also be eligible for non-qualified Deferred Compensation and Deferred Savings Plans.