Agency Services Representative - West Des Moines, United States - Sammons

Description

What to Expect as an Agency Services Representative

Communicate verbally with agents, distribution partners, third parties and internal support departments in matters relating to agent and customer needs. Approach all interactions with the customer at the forefront, using the corporate shared values as the guide for all interactions. Responsible for responding to inbound calls by providing support to North American, Midland National, and Sammons Institutional Group agents, internal/external business partners and third parties in verbal and written communication using a professional and friendly approach. Calls must be handled according to company policy and procedure, Service Level and Quality Standard Agreements.
• Provide accurate information on calls regarding, but not limited to: contract status, set-up and changes, address changes, EFT set-up, annualization set-up/changes, beneficiary designation/changes, agent training, policy status, commissions schedules, commission rates, deferred compensation/agent retirement, agent of record status, completing forms, and provide standard established turnaround times; as applicable.
• Submit accurate and timely requests via workflow system to ensure work item is handled in accordance with varying departmental procedures. Have working knowledge of each department's job function and all designated service level agreements to manage end user expectations
• Accountable for providing follow through to ensure problem or complaint resolution and notify individuals of action taken. Perceive, distinguish, and empathize with emotions of internal/external customers. Record calls (including electronic ?tagging?), process requests, and update account history with results of inquiry to include proper documentation.
• Acquire and maintain working knowledge of North American, Midland National, and Sammons Institutional Group products. This includes staying familiar with the most up-to-date changes to procedures as well as completing any required training courses.
• Display a working knowledge of commissionable premium and target on products.
• Display a working knowledge of state appointment guidelines.
• Correctly identify appropriate regulations to ensure proper handling of requests. Verify and provide explanation for tax documents.
• Consult and coordinate with all other applicable departments including New Business, Customer Contact, Sales & Marketing, Customer Correspondence and the Annuity/Life Division.
• Meet departmental expectations for phone and written quality, average handle time, held and consulted calls, and eligibility.
• Navigate and provide direction to internal and external business partners to access policy information via external websites. Troubleshoot website issues and provide expert resource for agent related information.
• Identify, communicate and proactively work to solve problems or issues before a service breakdown or complaint occurs.
• Maintain multiple job functions such as incoming calls, e-mails, noting files, faxing, while being flexible between high and low call volumes while displaying exemplary customer service skills.
• Efficiently navigate multiple systems as well as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Provide trends and feedback to department leadership to be shared with division and senior leadership, as received through communications with external business partners. Openly discuss concerns within the area and/or team and provide ideas for improvement. Look for ways to improve a process and/or procedure and openly discuss your thoughts.
• Promote teamwork by supporting team members and sharing knowledge; provide feedback and coaching ideas for peer mentoring and personal development.
• Participate and apply continued training on additional job functions for department advancement. Participate in developmental workforce courses and apply learning.
• Assist management with determining and implementing efficient workflow methods.
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Openness)
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Previous customer service/call center experience preferred
• Must have the ability to learn and maintain a working knowledge of multiple companies and multiple lines of business
• Ability to consistently provide accurate information
• Quickly and accurately interpret the needs of the customer to ensure proper resolution
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with internal and external business partners
• Must have knowledge of and ability to maneuver through multiple legacy systems and information screens
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to resolve complex situations, including identifying necessary resources
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have strong organizational skills
• Ability to work efficiently and independently or in a team environment
• Able to adapt to frequent change
• Criminal background check required.

Sammons Financial Group Companies offers some of today's most sought after life insurance, annuity, retirement planning products and portfolio-management solutions. Unlike most financial organizations, our companies are not publicly traded, which means we're focused on long-term value rather than short-term earnings pressures. As a privately held company, our leaders and employees remain consistently focused on long-term growth, making decisions that allow us to deliver on our commitments to customers, distribution partners, our employees, and our communities. Individually, our companies provide value in the products and services they offer. Together we represent a history of strength and longevity.

What you can expect when you join Sammons Financial Group:

• A casual dress code (yep – that means jeans)
• A company you want to be a part of, driven by inspiring leaders and a fun, friendly work environment.
• Colleagues who support one another, model our core values, and drive our healthy, high-performing culture.
• Healthy balance between work and personal lives. Friday afternoons off all year long, competitive PTO, and generous number of paid holidays.
• Our competitive benefit package includes: Health, Dental, Vision, Company Paid Retirement, PTO and Holiday Pay.
• A generous retirement program. Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a 100% company funded retirement plan, so you can save for retirement without contributing a penny of your own paycheck.
• A company that celebrates diversity, is committed to inclusion, and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply with all federal and state equal employment opportunity laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Pay Transparency posting verbiage:

Pay Range: $41,743.00 to $69,572.00

• Range includes data points from multiple labor markets. Specific range is dependent on the labor market where the incumbent will be hired to perform the position. Starting salary is dependent on candidate qualifications and experience. For a narrower salary range specific to your labor market, please inquire.
• Sammons Financial Group offers incentive programs for defined goals subject to eligibility and performance. Monetary rewards are based on individual and/or overall company performance.
• Our competitive benefit package includes: Health, Dental, Vision, Company Paid Retirement, PTO and Holiday Pay.