Employee Benefits Sales Associate - Northern VA/D.C.

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Location: We support US flexible working arrangements in the contiguous 48 states. For this position you must reside in the Northern VA, Maryland and/or Washington D.C. territory.

At Sun Life, we look for optimistic people who want to make life brighter for our Clients. We understand the value of diverse cultures, perspectives, and identities, and want you to bring your full and authentic self to work. Every day, you’ll be empowered and challenged by working with dynamic colleagues to find new and innovative ways to make Sun Life the best benefits company in America.

The opportunity:

The Employee Benefits Sales Associate is in training to be a marketing and technical expert who represents Sun Life - educating and motivating other professionals to sell Sun Life products to their clients. Sun Life products are not marketed through direct sales but through building relationships with other insurance professionals and employers (brokers, financial planners, agents, and consultants).

As an Employee Benefits Sales Associate, you will complete a 6 to 12-month sales training program which includes a combination of structured classroom and on-the-job learning with a focus on building an understanding of the employee benefits industry, Sun Life’s group benefits and professional selling skills. Successful completion of the program will prepare you for your future Employee Benefits Representative role within our Group Benefits Sales organization. The extensive formal training program will focus on:

1. Foundational knowledge leading to technical expertise
2. Building sales competencies – including communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship building skills
3. Knowledge of the Sun Life organization, history, core values as well as industry information, including an understanding of brokers, customers, and competitive landscape
4. Acquiring a broad knowledge of Sun Life’s group and voluntary product portfolio and service offerings and how to position sales solutions to brokers
5. Participating in all required Sun Life learning and training – including successful completion of the Employee Benefits Sales Associate Training Program
6. Sun Life consultative selling skills

Upon completion of the training program the job responsibilities will be:

1. Attend broker, client installation, and enrollment meetings alongside your sales manager and sales team
2. Attend/observe prospecting calls and meetings, new business and renewal sales appointments, finalist presentations, proactive and reactive service calls and other relevant business meetings to prepare you for your assigned territory, brokers, and block of in force business
3. Work with underwriting partners to gain an understanding of processes and approaches
4. Learn how to drive viable prospect activity, understand and manage the mechanics of a case and a block of business, and how to negotiate the best offer for our clients
5. Additional development areas include:
6. Utilize consultative sales techniques to prospect and initiate new business sales
7. Identify cross selling opportunities
8. Identify mass marketing prospects through existing book of business and community prospecting opportunities
9. Contribute to meeting/exceeding goals for new business sales
10. Complete follow-ups on new policies in order to keep retention level high and capitalize cross-selling opportunities
11. Coordinates activities with other departments to ensure quality customer service

What you will bring with you:

1. 1-2 years of work experience preferred
2. Bachelor's degree or equivalent training – Associate’s Degree may be considered
3. Interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills, sound business judgment, computer skills, ability to lead and influence, analytical, relationship building and organizational skills
4. Self-motivated with the ability to work independently to set priorities and effectively organize work
5. Ability to multi-task with varying time constraints
6. Aptitude to negotiate, influence and problem-solve
7. Must attain and maintain current state insurance license in life, accident and health
8. Ability and willingness to relocate to assigned sales territory after completion of the EBSA training program if required
9. Must be able to attend two week training workshops, which take place at our U.S. headquarters in Wellesley, MA, and/or our office in Kansas City, MO

Do you see yourself in this role even if you haven’t checked all the boxes above? We welcome all talented candidates and are committed to a culture that represents diversity in all forms. If you think you might thrive in this setting, we would love to hear from you.

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life

1. Excellent benefits and wellness programs to support the three pillars of your well-being – mental, physical and financial – including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, a partially-paid sabbatical program, medical plans, company paid life and AD&D insurance as well as disability programs and more
2. Retirement and Stock Purchase programs to help build and enhance your future financial security including a 401(k) plan with an employer-paid match as well as an employer-funded retirement account
3. A flexible work environment with a friendly, caring, collaborative and inclusive culture
4. Great Place to Work Certified in Canada and the U.S.
5. Named as a “Top 10” employer by the Boston Globe's “Top Places to Work” two years running

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

We consider various factors in determining actual pay including your skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition to salary, this position is eligible for incentive awards based on individual and business performance as well as a broad range of competitive benefits.

Sun Life Financial is a leading provider of group insurance benefits in the U.S., helping people protect what they love about their lives. More than just a name, Sun Life symbolizes our brand promise of making life brighter - for our customers, partners, and communities. Join our talented, diverse workforce and launch a rewarding career. Visit us at to learn more.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

Our Affirmative Action Program affirms our commitment to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitation of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please email to request an accommodation.

Job Category: Sales - Distribution Support

Posting End Date: 25/07/2024