Risk Advisor, Employee Benefits at Smith… · Vestal

Work Arrangement: This full-time sales role is designed to maximize time in the market building relationships, prospecting, meeting with clients, and developing new business. In office presence is expected to support collaboration, training, team engagement, and internal relationship-building.

The Employee Benefits Risk Advisor develops new business and builds lasting client relationships within the Employee Benefits marketplace. This role focuses on identifying and cultivating mid-to-large group accounts (100+ lives), delivering strategic benefits solutions, and partnering with internal resources to provide superior client experience. You will drive revenue growth through proactive prospecting, strong market expertise, and a consultative sales approach tailored to sophisticated employer clients.

Responsibilities

• Prospect, qualify, and close new Employee Benefits opportunities.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline to achieve new business goals and revenue.
• Lead client-facing meetings, including discovery, strategy discussions, and proposal presentations.
• Educate employers on Employee Benefits strategy, financial models, compliance considerations, and plan design.
• Deliver presentations, webinars, and group education sessions to clients and prospects.
• Develop tailored solutions and strategic recommendations aligned to client goals and workforce needs.
• Represent the agency at networking events, conferences, and vendor partner meetings.
• Collaborate with internal teams (implementation, service, and enrollment) to ensure a strong client experience.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the Employee Benefits practice, processes, and offerings.
• Stay current on Employee Benefits regulations, market trends, and competitive landscape to inform clients and strategy.
• Utilize the agency management system for daily activities, documentation, and assigned tasks.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and training to strengthen skills, knowledge, and effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with agency processes, confidentiality standards, and quality metrics.
• Work on projects and other work as assigned.
• Effectively use MS Office, standard office applications, and other technologies.
• Skillfully use AI tools (Copilot, ChatGPT, etc.) to aid work and efficiency.
• Work effectively with all team members, provide backup support, and contribute to team collaboration.
• Demonstrate alignment with our purpose, values, and culture.

Desired Skills

• Demonstrated success in prospecting, pipeline development, and closing complex consultative sales.
• Prior experience prospecting, building a pipeline, and closing new business opportunities.
• Experience working with carriers, underwriting, benefits marketing, compliance, and client service teams.
• Knowledge of Employee Benefits products, funding arrangements, employee benefits compliance, market dynamics, and consultative sales processes.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and client education skills.
• Ability to simplify complex information into clear, client-friendly guidance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into recommendations.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach with a strong client-first mindset.
• Comfort working independently while contributing to a broader growth strategy.
• Proficiency with agency management systems, carrier platforms, and technology-enabled tools
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead of industry trends.
• Flexibility and willingness to take on additional work and projects assigned.
• Strong MS Office skills, experience with agency management systems, and carrier platforms.
• Proficient with AI tools, AI assisted workflows, and ability to learn new/future technologies and tools.
• Self-motivated, strong work ethic, adaptable, stress tolerance to overcome hurdles.
• Team player who consistently defaults to good.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of Employee Benefits insurance experience in a sales-focused role, preferably with an independent agency.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, human resources, risk management, or related field preferred; high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Active Life, Accident & Health Insurance license in good standing.

General Working Conditions

• Dynamic environment with frequent communication via in person, video, email, and phone.
• Offsite client, network, and prospect meetings require non-standard normal working hours – expect evening events and travel as normal course of business.
• Ability to view computer monitors for extended periods of time.
• Culture rooted in collaboration, integrity, trust, respect, creativity, and fun.

Compensation
This is a commission-based role. During the initial validation period, a draw may be provided. Total compensation can range from $50,000 to $200,000+ based on performance. Compensation offered will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, training, location, certifications, and education. Actual earnings will vary, and compensation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. The stated range reflects the Company's good-faith estimate of potential earnings at the time of posting.

Eligible employees may participate in comprehensive benefit programs, including health, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with company match; paid time off and holidays; company-paid life and disability insurance; an employee assistance program; health navigation and care advocacy services; hospital indemnity and critical illness coverage; insurance licensing and continuing education reimbursement; and other company-sponsored benefits.

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without Company sponsorship.

Smith Brothers Insurance, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability, marital or domestic partnership or Civil Union status, pregnancy, family medical history or genetic information, atypical cellular or blood trait, military service or any other status protected by law.

This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice, based on business needs. This description does not constitute a contract of employment, and we reserve the right to revise the job description and/or require other tasks be performed as circumstances change.

About Smith Brothers

Smith Brothers Insurance is a Top 100 National Broker with over 50 years of being independently operated. We are multi-disciplined with expertise in Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Employee Benefits, Surety, Group Retirement Plans including 401(k) and 403(b) Plans, Risk Management, and Financial Services.