Stephanie L. Kier
Macedon,USA
Summary
Accomplished leader with a proven track record at Mercer and Relph Benefit Advisors, enhancing client satisfaction through strategic development and operational efficiency. Excelled in project leadership and client relations management, significantly improving service delivery and compliance. Skilled in both written and oral communication, adept at driving team success and fostering client relationships.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Associate
Mercer
Rochester, NY
01.2023 - Current
- Counsel clients on developing competitive benefits packages, which promote employee retention, by presenting data on industry and demographic standards.
- Generate reports on current benefits enrollment status for management review.
- Develop and distribute communications materials to educate employees about their benefits and any changes.
- Analyze benefit objectives and budgetary restrictions of clients with many employees to develop employee benefit packages to fit unique needs.
- Investigate potential cost savings through vendor negotiations or alternative benefit offerings.
- Participate in open enrollment meetings with employees to discuss available options.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations affecting benefits programs, including ACA and ERISA.
Vice President, Account Services
Alera Group/Relph Benefit Advisors
Rochester, NY
01.2017 - 12.2023
- Lead the Customer Service team responsible for providing support and education for all aspects of Employee Benefits to approximately 130 mid-large employer groups.
- Collaborating with Account Management teams to establish effective and efficient service delivery, consistently exceeding client expectations
- Supervise client escalations, maintain, and manage insurance carrier relationships.
- Establish and implement the first Customer Service Platform to include tracking all engagements with customers, providing call metrics, establishing response time metrics, identifying trends, and incorporating a self-service knowledge base into service delivery.
- Leader of Regulatory Services Team
- Supervise the team responsible for preparing and maintaining Compliance Documents (Summary Plan Description (SPD), Summary of Material Modification (SMM), Annual Notices), preparation and filing of Form 5500, calculation of PCORI fees, Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) reporting, and ACA tracking and reporting.
- Lead Center of Excellence for 5500 Services and ACA Services for Alera partner clients nationally.
- Created effective communication strategies between management team members and employees at all levels of the organization.
- Developed and executed strategic plans to support the vision of the organization.
Talent Development Manager
Relph Benefit Advisors
Rochester, NY
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Responsible for overseeing team of Sales/Account Management professionals
- Introduced Salesforce platform for Sales team to better track and measure sales metrics
- Developed Stewardship Report for use by Account Managers/Consultants
- Spearheaded building of Business Development Team
- Collaborated with Marketing for creation of RFP's
- Attended finalist presentations for prospective clients
- Established Medicare/Individual Insurance specialty within agency
Account Executive
Relph Benefit Advisors
Rochester, NY
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Managed $900K + book of business
- Advised for profit and not for profit employers on design and administration of employee benefit plans
- Provided strategic planning based on utilization metrics, demographics, budget parameters
- Negotiated with insurance carriers on rates
- Assisted clients with establishing Wellness Programs
- Involved in collective bargaining negotiations
- Primarily interacted with C-Suite and those responsible for benefits management within the organization
- Created and presented annual open enrollment communications to inform and educate employees how to use their benefits, and the benefits of being a wise health care consumer
Manager, Account Management
First Niagara Risk Management
Rochester, NY
01.2002 - 01.2006
Employee Benefits Account Manager
First Niagara Risk Management
Rochester, NY
01.1998 - 01.2002
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Political Science/Criminal Justice
SUNY Brockport
Brockport, NYSkills
- Leadership
- Strategic Development
- Client Relations Management
- Operational Efficiency
- Proficient in Written and Oral Communication
- Project Leadership
Websites
Certification
New York State Life, Accident, and Health Insurance License
Timeline
Senior Associate
Mercer
01.2023 - Current
Vice President, Account Services
Alera Group/Relph Benefit Advisors
01.2017 - 12.2023
Talent Development Manager
Relph Benefit Advisors
01.2013 - 01.2017
Account Executive
Relph Benefit Advisors
01.2006 - 01.2013
Manager, Account Management
First Niagara Risk Management
01.2002 - 01.2006
Employee Benefits Account Manager
First Niagara Risk Management
01.1998 - 01.2002
Some College (No Degree) - Political Science/Criminal Justice
SUNY Brockport
Similar Profiles
Madhur Bain SinghMadhur Bain Singh
Senior Actuarial Specialist at MercerSenior Actuarial Specialist at Mercer
Oscar HuixOscar Huix
Dispatch Coordinator at MercerDispatch Coordinator at Mercer
Thaddeus MaysThaddeus Mays
Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Broker at MercerLicensed Property and Casualty Insurance Broker at Mercer
Gaurang SushilGaurang Sushil
Assistant Manager at MercerAssistant Manager at Mercer
Heather PorporaHeather Porpora
Quality Assurance RN For VAD/Structural Heart Teams at Strong Memorial HospitalQuality Assurance RN For VAD/Structural Heart Teams at Strong Memorial Hospital