What are the responsibilities and job description for the Benefit Education Specialist position at MERS?
- Provide large and small group participant education virtually, at employer locations, or regionally regarding MERS products in an organized and clear manner
- Remain current on MERS products, services, Investment menu, and regulatory changes
- Work closely with Regional Team and Service Center staff to promote MERS personalized educational offerings to employers through effective/efficient time and resource management in your own territory and others as needed
- Works closely with the Customer Strategies team in the planning and designing of presentations, brochures, surveys, website, calculators and other various customer tools and provide feedback to Business Process Owners and manager to ensure alignment with MERS goals and participant needs
- Attend conferences, benefit fairs and other events to help educate attendees on MERS products with the direction and needs from the Customer Strategies team.
- Respond to employer and participant questions, calls and other communication in a timely manner and utilizing the customer relationship management tool determined by MERS. This includes providing and following up on annuity estimates to eligible participants.
- Support the organizational growth goals by generating leads across all product offerings, increasing individual 457 participant accounts, and growing 457/IRA assets through rollovers and transfers.
- Participate in special projects as required and other duties as assigned
- Participate in the creation and maintenance of process and procedure relative to the needs of the position and communicate changes and revisions to the team
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree candidates who meet the requirements and have an equivalent combination of education and/or experience will be considered
Experience:
- Two or more years working in an education or training capacity, or in an employee benefit or financial services field with experience in understanding and educating clients on intangible benefits
- Experience/comfort with public speaking
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge and understanding of private and public sector retirement plans, health care plan designs, and employee benefits
- Comfort with finance and investment terms/concepts
- Consultative sales experience
Knowledge of:
- Employee benefits
- Group and one-on-one presentation skills
- Customer Relationship Management systems (ideally Microsoft Dynamics)
Skill in:
- Microsoft products such as Excel, Word and Power Point
- Windows operating system
- Organizational and interpersonal skills
Ability to:
- Be self-motivated with a high degree of travel for statewide meetings both during regular business hours and evening hours as required
- Meet demands of an extensive travel schedule which may include nights and occasional weekends
- Communicate complex topics simply and effectively orally and in writing
- Meet the public easily and deal effectively with questions or problems, seeking assistance when needed
- Speak comfortably before groups of various sizes
- Work well under pressure to meet deadlines
- Manage challenging situations and emotions under pressure
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform successfully the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.
Working Conditions
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Location: All work of this position will be performed on site at MERS main office or remote work location.
- Weather: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.
- Noise: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
