Vice President, Estate Planning and Administration

Vice President, Estate Planning and Administration 

Job Overview 

 
Business, Estate Planning, & Executive Benefits firm is seeking a Vice President of Estate Planning and Administration. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of life insurance, estate planning strategies, income and estate tax law relating to life insurance, excellent communication and writing skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.  This individual will oversee the administration of our esteemed clients’ life insurance portfolios, and prepare client-facing presentations in the following areas:

• Estate Planning using various tax-reduction strategies such as gifting, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Family Limited Partnerships, Split-Dollar, Charitable Trusts, Private or Commercial Premium Financing, etc.  

• Business Succession Planning using various buy-sell strategies
  
  

Mandatory Functions: 

• Annual Policy Reviews 
• Manage the entire policy review process. Clients may have 20 policies
• Run and/or request in-force illustrations using carrier stand-alone or online software, or request from carriers if necessary
• Review “actual vs. expected” policy performance and provide education regarding modifications as appropriate
• Work with carriers via email/phone to gather detailed and sometimes extremely complex information needed on in-force policies, until correct
• Update policy investment / index segment performance data
• Create client-friendly spreadsheets to compare funding options
• Prepare and assemble materials for client meetings
• Collaborate with CEO and President of the firm along with key team members to ensure materials are prepared and ready for client meetings well in advance of the meeting
• Save/Scan policy values and in-force illustrations to Sharepoint
• Run any additional ‘what if’ models discussed during the review meeting
• Review with client and modify allocation (VUL sub-accounts or IUL indexed accounts)
• Document outcome of policy reviews and document action items into CRM
• Coordinate with New Business and Tech Design on the implementation of any changes (term re-writes, conversions, §1035 Exchanges, additional coverage)
• Attend staff meetings to ensure information is flowing smoothly, e.g., coordination among case design, new business and client service and administration
• Facilitate and participate in resolving client issues by suggesting possible solutions
• Premium Financing Analyses
• Gather and update loan information from lender (principal balance, current interest rate and methodology, interest paid in prior year, loan maturity date, any other collateral posted, etc.)
• Complete financing analyses to confirm collateral is sufficient on a quarterly and/or annual basis
• Collaborate with producer to recommend appropriate changes to ensure the coverage and collateral are in line
• Work with producer, client, and banker to facilitate loan renewal process as appropriate

• Oversee Routine Client Service

• Process Policy Change Requests / Client Requests 
• Obtain and prepare forms, verify if DocuSign is available to use with the specific carrier, obtain signatures from appropriate parties, submit to carrier, follow through to completion
• Communicate with clients via phone and email for follow-up
• Document any changes in database tracking system, provide confirmation to client, and update policy record in database, as appropriate
• Gather additional documentation requested by carrier, e.g., corporate resolutions, trust certification
• Change of Owner – have the understanding of issues/concerns around an ownership change
•  Confirm no transfer for value / Goodman issues
• Request ITR value
• Note policy value as of the date of ownership change in database
• Change of Beneficiary – have the understanding of issues/concerns around a change in beneficiary
•  Policy Loans / Withdrawals – understand the steps and issues/concerns with taking a loan vs. withdrawal
• Pay back loans to carriers – have the knowledge to know the steps involved in paying a loan back with a carrier
• Change of Death Benefit Option
• Change of Face Amount 
• Change of Premium Amount / Mode / Bank Account for EFT 
• Change of Address 
• Change of Trustee 
• Death Claims – Manage the process of filing a death claim for a client’s family
•  Term conversions - coordinate & provide data to New Business team
• Other Changes 
•  Invoice for Premiums Due 
•  When not known, research how and to whom invoices are sent
•  Create invoice
•  Confirm available methods of payment, e.g., carrier wire instructions, pay online or by phone info, overnight mail address
•  Review, when necessary, what 7-pay premium is for policy and confirm what 
  has already been paid to ensure timing and amount of payment does not trigger
  MEC
•  Follow-up after invoice sent to make sure premium is paid
•  Follow-up with the carrier to confirm the premium was applied to the investment / index accounts accurately
•  Communicate with client via email and phone for follow-up
•  Contact various parties for signatures, e.g., trustees and/or collateral assignees of their authorization to release funds is needed

•  Report Monthly and Quarterly Values 
•  Pull policy values and provide to appropriate parties (lenders/assignees) 

•  Prepare Follow-Up or General Client Meeting Materials
•  Gather additional information from outside sources when appropriate. 
•  Prepare polished presentation materials
  
  
•  Other Duties As Assigned 
•  In a smaller firm, everyone pitches in when needed

Knowledge Base: 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the life insurance industry, case design and illustration design processes.
• Solid foundation of the company processes and the needs of the producers. 
• Advanced knowledge of Estate Planning strategies 
• Excellent working knowledge of all software necessary to perform job duties
• Ability to interact and work with insurance wholesalers, carrier home office representatives, and clients
• Computer and office equipment experience, Word, Excel, Data Entry
• Extremely adept at Excel Spreadsheet development
• Have an understanding of how to utilize DocuSign and Adobe for forms
• Attention to detail and accuracy of work are imperative
• Must be dependable and flexible in changing priorities with the ability to handle multiple tasks
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) and be able to communicate clearly. Must use proper grammar and punctuation in written communications
• Excellent proofreading skills

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years life insurance experience – Advanced Sales field experience preferred
• Multi-carrier work environment a plus
• Industry designations preferred and encouraged

Desired Qualities:

• Team Player – Works well as a member of a group
• Detail Oriented – Pays attention to all important details of the task at hand to ensure successful completion
• Polished – Anxious to deliver ‘white glove’ treatment to our esteemed clientele
• Self-Starter – Inspired to perform without outside help
• Life-long Learner – Anxious to grow and learn
• Dedicated – devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
  
  

Work Environment: 

• Fast-paced constantly changing priorities and deadlines 
• Hours regularly exceeding 40 hours/week 
• High-Stress deadline oriented work atmosphere 
• Extensive periods of sitting and keyboard/computer work
• Daily communication with individuals over the phone and in person

Salary 

• Dependent upon Experience

Benefits 

• Will be provided upon request