DANIELLE GUTIERREZ
New York,NY
Summary
Senior Benefits Consultant with over fourteen years of experience supporting HR teams and leadership through complex benefits decisions. Experienced across funding models, benefits administration platforms, and compliance execution, with a collaborative, relationship-driven approach. Recognized for strong judgment, practical problem solving, and a genuine commitment to client success.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Account Executive
HUB International
Melville, NY
07.2024 - Current
- Serve as partnered strategic advisor and relationship owner for a mid-market employer book spanning fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded medical programs, accountable for renewal outcomes, client retention, and long-term plan sustainability.
- Lead strategies including claims analysis, funding evaluations, renewal modeling, carrier negotiations, and vendor oversight.
- Act as an extension of client HR and benefits teams, advising on benefits administration strategy, operational workflows, and employee experience, particularly where internal HR resources are limited or inexperienced.
- Deliver high-touch, day-to-day client and employee support, owning inquiries and escalations end-to-end, and driving timely, effective resolution while maintaining strong client trust.
- Own benefits administration platforms and renewals, partnering directly with clients and internal technology teams to evaluate, implement, renew, and optimize enrollment platforms, including EDI and API feed integrations between HRIS, carriers, and third-party vendors.
- Lead EDI troubleshooting, data audits, and feed remediation, ensuring accurate eligibility, payroll, and enrollment data flows to prevent coverage disruptions, and downstream claims issues.
- Drive renewal and contribution strategy by translating claims experience, trend drivers, and market dynamics into actionable recommendations that balance cost containment, risk tolerance, and employee experience.
- Analyze medical and Rx claims data, funding structures, and stop-loss considerations to support level-funded and emerging self-funded clients, collaborating with internal actuarial, underwriting, and carrier partners to inform plan decisions.
- Own an end-to-end open enrollment strategy and execution, including benefits marketing, plan positioning, employee communications, live education sessions, office hours, and post-enrollment stabilization.
- Develop and deliver benefits education and training for client HR teams and internal junior staff, strengthening platform adoption, compliance accuracy, and service continuity.
- Mentor and train junior account managers and service staff, providing guidance on renewals, compliance workflows, client communications, and issue escalation.
- Oversee ERISA and regulatory compliance, including coordination of 5500 filings, Wrap Documents, Medicare Part D notices, and vendor implementations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and audit readiness.
- Act as the central quarterback between clients, carriers, vendors, and internal teams (account management, compliance, finance, advocacy, and technology) to ensure seamless execution and high-touch service delivery.
- Maintain senior-level client relationships through proactive planning, escalation management, and long-range strategy discussions, positioning clients for growth, stability, and informed risk decisions.
Client Service Manager
Sequoia Consulting Group
New York, NY
12.2023 - 06.2024
- Managed a book of approximately 20 employer clients (75–300 lives) across data/technology, AI, retail, marketing, and professional services, delivering a high-touch, consultative experience aligned with Sequoia’s tech-forward benefits model.
- Served as the primary point of contact for day-to-day support and escalations, owning the full benefits lifecycle from onboarding, through renewals, and ongoing plan management.
- Led a consistent communication cadence (weekly/biweekly client syncs), proactively surfacing risks, priorities, and action items, while keeping decision-makers aligned and decision focused.
- Facilitated milestone meetings throughout the year, applying benefits expertise to develop tailored solutions based on each client’s goals, workforce dynamics, and talent/retention challenges.
- Managed internal service delivery by coordinating resources across the client team—driving platform troubleshooting, claims advocacy, and analytics workstreams to ensure timely execution and issue resolution.
- Leveraged client data, market insights, and benchmarking to identify opportunities for optimization and innovation, translating findings into clear recommendations that support confident decision-making.
- Delivered employee-facing support, including Open Enrollment education sessions, office hours, and new-hire onboarding guidance; partnered with vendor and technology ecosystems (fertility, wellbeing, worksite, leave administration; bswift, Salesforce, and client app integrations).
- Owned quarterly, multi-state compliance reviews for complex, distributed workforces (including remote employee populations), translating state-specific requirements into clear guidance, tracking deliverables, and risk mitigation plans for HR and leadership.
Benefits Consultant
OneDigital
New York, NY
10.2021 - 12.2023
- Managed a book of ~70 employer accounts (5–250 lives), consistently exceeding sales and retention targets.
- Partnered with C-suite and key decision makers to design financially sound benefits strategies balancing cost, culture, and talent attraction/retention.
- Owned the full client lifecycle, delivering pre-renewal, renewal, and stewardship presentations and providing hands-on Open Enrollment support through employee-facing meetings.
- Coordinated internal resources and advocacy to keep coverage running smoothly (claims support, enrollment guides, benefits platform administration) while providing ongoing compliance support.
- Drove growth through referrals, cross-sold ancillary/worksite plans, recommended high-impact vendor solutions (HRA/HSA/FSA, COBRA, mental health, HRIS/payroll, fringe, expatriate, PEO), and identified opportunities for Wealth, Retirement, and P&C.
Account Manager
Marsh & McLennan Agency
New York, NY
05.2015 - 09.2021
- Built and managed cost-effective, network-driven benefits programs aligned to client goals; led the full renewal cycle for manually-rated and large-group accounts—negotiating terms, marketing RFPs for core/ancillary lines, and delivering pre-renewal and renewal deliverables on deadline.
- Prepared and presented executive-ready renewal reports with customized financials, incumbent cost/plan changes, and clear alternative recommendations; drove cross-sell opportunities by positioning ancillary and worksite benefits to round out comprehensive total-rewards strategies.
- Enhanced the client experience through company-branded value-add solutions (benchmarking, compensation statements, HR platforms, concierge programs for staff and key employees); trained and mentored junior account specialists supporting in-force accounts and supported DEI Council initiatives to strengthen inclusive, culturally aware service.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Creative Writing
City University of New York - Hunter College
New York, NY01.2012
Skills
- Client Management
- Project Management
- Consulting
- Strategic Partner
- Excellent Customer Service
- Employee Benefits Industry Expertise
- SaaS/PaaS Experience
- Effective & Impactful Communicator
- Dedicated Team Player
Certification
Life/Accident & Health License
Timeline
Senior Account Executive
HUB International
07.2024 - Current
Client Service Manager
Sequoia Consulting Group
12.2023 - 06.2024
Benefits Consultant
OneDigital
10.2021 - 12.2023
Account Manager
Marsh & McLennan Agency
05.2015 - 09.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Creative Writing
City University of New York - Hunter College