Associate Director, Group Benefits – Trusteed Market
Job Description
At Eckler, we know it’s our people that make us great at what we do.
We are looking to add a senior consultant with expertise in Trusteed accounts to our growing Group Benefits Team, based in our Toronto office to support Eckler’s clients across Canada.
A typical day-in-the life of an Associate Director, Group Benefits involves managing relationships with clients, coordinating complex project deliverables, analyzing underwriting arrangements, assessing client needs, work with and delegating effectively to a team of analysts and technical staff, and proactively developing business opportunities within the trusteed benefits market.
We are looking for an individual with strong interpersonal skills who can fit into a tightly knit team and effectively manage competing priorities in a busy consulting practice. If you thrive on delivering customized solutions and working collaboratively with industry-leading professionals, this role may be perfect for you!
This posting is for an existing vacancy that we are actively seeking to fill
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Serve as key relationship lead for a portfolio of trusteed clients, with accountability for client outcomes, satisfaction, and retention
- Lead client strategy and oversee delivery across engagements, ensuring alignment with client objectives while partnering with Directors on complex or high-risk matters
- Set direction for client work, translating business challenges into strategic recommendations on plan design, funding, and risk management
- Oversee execution across multiple concurrent projects, delegating effectively while maintaining accountability for quality, timelines, and financial performance
- Play a key role in business development, leading components of proposals, contributing to win strategies, and expanding relationships within existing clients
- Provide leadership in collective bargaining engagements, shaping costing approaches, scenarios, and strategic positioning
- Lead and develop analysts and junior team members, including workflow management, coaching, and contributing to performance management decisions
- Drive quality and consistency of deliverables across the team, establishing expectations and reviewing outputs as needed
- Build and leverage insurer, administrator, and other market relationships to inform client strategies and enhance negotiation outcomes
- Contribute to broader practice initiatives, including process improvements, knowledge sharing, and development of intellectual capital
What we offer:
- Collaborative and engaging atmosphere
- Variety in work and ability to evolve and grow your career
- Working with colleagues across Canada and across multiple practice areas
- Opportunities to help build and evolve our practice
- Competitive total rewards package in terms of salary, bonus and benefits (commensurate with experience level)
- An entrepreneurial, collegial work environment
- Hybrid working policy and dress for your day approach (3 days in office minimum)
What you offer:
- Direct experience and in-depth knowledge of group insurance, underwriting arrangements, and their application specifically in trusteed market scenarios
- Experience in large and complex multi-employer or trusteed benefit plans, including interaction with Board of Trustees and navigating union-employer dynamics
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, proven ability to respond appropriately to trustees, clients, administrators, and vendors in real-time
- Strong business acumen – demonstrated ability to assess complex situations, distill complex discussions, understand strategic and operational impacts, and make informed and actionable decisions that align with client goals.
- Stakeholder management and governance engagement – comfortable attending trustee meetings and navigating differing priorities among stakeholders.
- Proven ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment while managing multiple priorities
- Real passion for their work and a desire to contribute positively to Eckler’s leading culture
- Commitment to exceptional client satisfaction and attention to detail
- Strong planning, organizational, and time management skills
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- CEBS certification preferred
- Prior experience with trusteed accounts required
Who we are:
At Eckler, we are driven by our purpose to care and to do right by people so that together we can achieve a brighter, more secure future. It’s just one of the reasons Eckler has been recognized multiple times as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures. Our origins go back to 1927, making us one of Canada’s first actuarial practices. Based in Canada and the Caribbean, we’re a team of committed and highly skilled professionals consulting in the areas of pension, retirement, financial wellness, investment, group benefits, insurance, change management and communication and technology. Owned and operated by its active Principals, the company has earned a reputation for service continuity and high professional standards. Eckler is a founding member of Abelica Global – an international alliance of independent actuarial and consulting firms operating in over 20 countries.
At Eckler, we value diversity of all types. Our organization is made up of smart, collaborative, and thoughtful people with a wide range of backgrounds, skills, and experiences. We are committed to an inclusive, diverse, and accessible workplace and encourage all interested applicants to submit a cover letter and resume for consideration. Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to [email protected].
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used during the recruitment process to screen or assess applications. All evaluations involving AI are reviewed by in-house recruiters prior to making any final decisions.
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for the shortlist will be contacted.