AVP of Sales - Employee Benefits

Position Summary

The Ryan Specialty Benefits AVP of Sales is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, strengthening relationships with existing clients and brokers, uncovering cross-sell opportunities, and supporting the sales and renewal lifecycle.
The successful candidate will serve as a trusted partner to clients, brokers, carrier partners, and internal stakeholders while leveraging industry expertise to deliver innovative solutions in the employee benefits marketplace. Ryan Specialty Benefits provides a comprehensive suite of services, including stop loss, captive solutions, level-funded programs, ancillary benefits, pharmacy consulting, and self-funded healthcare solutions.

What will your job entail?

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth

• • Analyze existing client accounts to identify cross-selling, upselling, and account-rounding opportunities.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers, brokers, consultants, and clients to drive account growth and retention.
  • Generate new business leads through networking, referrals, industry relationships, prospecting activities, and lost-account analysis.
  • Manage and execute win-back strategies for previously lost accounts by identifying causes of attrition and developing targeted re-engagement plans.
  • Partner with marketing and business development leadership to develop and support sales campaigns, initiatives, and market outreach efforts.
  • Promote Ryan Specialty Benefits' portfolio of employee benefits solutions to new and existing distribution partners and clients.

Client Management & Retention

• • Conduct regular client reviews and maintain proactive communication to ensure customer satisfaction and identify new growth opportunities.
  • Review in-force policies, endorsements, billing records, policy changes, and related documentation to ensure accuracy within agency management systems.
  • Support the preparation and delivery of renewal, stewardship, and prospect presentations.
  • Coordinate policy binding, renewals, reissuance activities, and other account servicing functions.
  • Serve as a responsive resource for clients and distribution partners while maintaining a high standard of service excellence.

Underwriting & Carrier Collaboration

• • Work closely with insurance company underwriters and carrier partners to obtain timely and accurate quotations.
  • Gather and organize underwriting information necessary for new business and renewal opportunities.
  • Evaluate carrier proposals and coverage alternatives to support client needs and business objectives.
  • Collaborate with internal underwriting, actuarial, clinical, pharmacy, and product specialists to develop comprehensive client solutions. Ryan Specialty Benefits leverages expertise across underwriting, actuarial, pharmacy consulting, data analytics, clinical, complex claims, and ancillary benefits disciplines.

Sales Operations & Market Intelligence

• • Maintain accurate records of sales activities, client interactions, account updates, and pipeline opportunities within CRM and agency management systems.
  • Monitor sales performance metrics and support reporting activities.
  • Stay informed regarding industry trends, healthcare market developments, carrier changes, and regulatory updates affecting employee benefits and self-funded health plans.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, licensing requirements, and applicable insurance regulations.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Risk Management, Insurance, Employee Benefits, Finance, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience; or
  • Demonstrated success in business development, account management, employee benefits sales, underwriting support, carrier management, or a similar client-facing role.
  • Experience working with multiple carrier quoting, rating, and underwriting platforms.
  • Retail brokerage, benefits consulting, agency, or wholesale benefits experience strongly preferred.
  • Knowledge of self-funded health plans, stop loss insurance, captives, ancillary benefits, and employee benefits products preferred.

Licenses & Certifications

• • Active State Life & Health Insurance License required.
  • Additional state licenses may be required based on territory and business responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• • Business Development
  • Account Management
  • Relationship Building
  • Employee Benefits Industry Knowledge
  • Consultative Selling
  • Customer Retention Strategies
  • Sales Pipeline Management
  • External Communications
  • Presentation Development and Delivery
  • Negotiation and Influencing Skills
  • CRM and Agency Management Systems
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Data Analysis and Reporting
  • Attention to Detail and Organizational Skills
  • Collaboration Across Cross-Functional Teams

What Success Looks Like

• • Consistently generates qualified new business opportunities and referral sources.
  • Expands revenue within existing accounts through cross-selling and account-rounding initiatives.
  • Achieves retention targets while successfully winning back previously lost business.
  • Builds trusted relationships with brokers, clients, carrier partners, and internal stakeholders.
  • Delivers a high level of service, responsiveness, and professionalism.
  • Contributes to Ryan Specialty Benefits' mission of providing innovative employee benefits solutions supported by specialized expertise, strong carrier relationships, and exceptional client service.

Ryan Specialty is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce throughout the organization. Our vision is an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees are valued for and evaluated on their performance and contributions. Differences in race, creed, color, religious beliefs, physical or mental capabilities, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and many other characteristics bring together varied perspectives and add value to the service we provide our clients, trading partners, and communities. This policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, discipline, firing, promoting, transferring, compensation, benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms, conditions, and benefits of employment.

How We Support Our Teammates 

Ryan Specialty seeks to offer our employees a comprehensive and best-in-class benefits package that helps them — and their family members — achieve their physical, financial, and emotional well-being goals. In addition to paid time off for company holidays, vacation, sick and personal days, Ryan offers paid parental leave, mental health services and more.

The target salary range for this position is $78,750.00 - $90,000.00 annually.

The wage range for this role considers many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, licensure and certification, business needs, and market demands. The pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Full-time roles are eligible for bonuses and benefits. For additional information on Ryan Specialty Total Rewards, visit our website https://benefits.ryansg.com/. 

 

We provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us to request an accommodation at [email protected] 

 

The above is intended to describe this job's general requirements. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.