Senior Account Executive, Strategic Accounts

Job summary

The Senior Account Executive is responsible for the acquisition, growth, and retention of strategic Group Benefits clients. They lead complex sales cycles, develop strategic account plans, and collaborate with internal teams to deliver innovative solutions.

Job details

Saskatchewan Blue Cross®, one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers, is currently recruiting for a full-time permanent Senior Account Executive, Strategic Accounts to join our team in the Group Benefits Department. The role is based in our Saskatoon or Regina Office locations. We offer flexibility, with a shared expectation that team members spend meaningful time in the office to collaborate and connect. JOB FUNCTION If you're a relationship-driven sales professional who thrives on building strategic partnerships, leading complex opportunities, and delivering results, we'd love to hear from you! Reporting to the Manager, Group Benefits, the Senior Account Executive, Strategic Accounts is responsible for the acquisition, growth, profitability, and retention of Saskatchewan Blue Cross's largest and most strategically important Group Benefits clients and opportunities. This role leads complex sales opportunities through the full client lifecycle, including market development, proposal and RFP development, negotiations, implementation, and ongoing relationship management. The Senior Account Executive, Strategic Accounts develops and executes strategic account plans, builds executive-level relationships with clients, Advisors, Consultants, and other key stakeholders, and identifies opportunities to expand Saskatchewan Blue Cross's products and services. Accountable for achieving growth, retention, and profitability objectives, this role collaborates across the organization to deliver innovative, client-focused solutions that strengthen Saskatchewan Blue Cross's position within Saskatchewan's Group Benefits market. WHY CHOOSE SASKATCHEWAN BLUE CROSS? We’re driven by a mission to empower communities on their journey to whole health and wellness and have a lot of exciting things ahead of us. We’re improving our members’ experiences through investment in our people, technology, services and products. When you join our team, you’re joining an organization where employees are valued, recognized for their contributions and empowered to make us stronger. The wellbeing of our employees, our members, our partners and our communities is at the heart of our operations. Our industry is evolving fast, and so are we! We’re looking for people who: * Share our values * Believe that creating great experiences is totally within their control * Collaborate and always set others up for success * Build positive relationships and an understanding of what people’s needs are * See solutions and possibilities (not problems!) * Are simply outstanding at what they do WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THIS ROLE * Build relationships that matter: work with senior leaders, Advisors, Consultants, and key decision-makers across Saskatchewan's largest organizations * Make a visible impact: contribute directly to business growth by securing and retaining client partnerships * Take ownership: enjoy the autonomy to develop account strategies, pursue opportunities, and drive results * Collaborate across the business: partner with experts across Sales, Underwriting, Product, Service & Support, and Operations to create innovative solutions for clients * Grow your influence: represent Saskatchewan Blue Cross in the market and help strengthen our reputation as a trusted benefits partner DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES * Achieve assigned new business, revenue, strategic client acquisition, retention, and profitability objectives within Saskatchewan's Group Benefits market * Develop and execute business development strategies to identify and pursue large, complex, and strategically important opportunities * Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities through employer relationships, Advisor and Consultant partnerships, referrals, market intelligence, and other business development channels * Lead complex sales opportunities through the full sales cycle, including prospecting, discovery, solution development, proposals, RFP responses, finalist presentations, negotiations, implementation, and transition to ongoing support * Lead major Group Benefits RFPs, competitive pursuits, and strategic opportunities on behalf of Saskatchewan Blue Cross * Develop pursuit strategies and collaborate with cross-functional teams to position Saskatchewan Blue Cross for success in competitive opportunities * Build and maintain influential relationships with Advisors, Consultants, distribution partners, prospective clients, and executive-level decision-makers * Monitor market trends, industry developments, and competitor activity to identify opportunities and strengthen Saskatchewan Blue Cross's market position * Manage a portfolio of strategic accounts and develop account plans that support long-term growth, client experience, and relationship objectives * Lead strategic business reviews and serve as a trusted advisor by translating client needs, market intelligence, and industry trends into innovative solutions and recommendations * Identify and pursue opportunities to expand client relationships through additional products, services, and Saskatchewan Blue Cross solutions * Partner with internal stakeholders to develop renewal, retention, and growth strategies that balance client needs, market competitiveness, and business objectives * Maintain accountability for the long-term retention, profitability, and performance of strategic accounts by proactively managing risks, addressing complex issues, and supporting sustainable client outcomes QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS * Post-secondary education in Business, Marketing or a related field, combined with a minimum of 7 years of relevant sales and/or account management experience, preferably within Group Benefits, health insurance or financial services * Life Insurance License (LLQP) required, or the ability and commitment to obtain the designation within a specified timeframe after hire. CEBS Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation is considered an asset * Proven track record of achieving sales targets and driving new business, revenue growth, client retention and account expansion through the successful management of complex sales opportunities, including proposals/RFPs, finalist presentations, negotiations and closing * Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation and consultative selling skills, with the ability to influence executives, business leaders, Advisors, Consultants and key decision-makers * Strong strategic, analytical, commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to translate financial, claims, client and market information into effective sales and account strategies * Strong communication, presentation, organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex clients and sales priorities * Strong Group Benefits knowledge, including products, plan design, underwriting, claims experience, financial performance and renewal strategies is preferred * Demonstrated accountability, professionalism and sound judgment, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively while leveraging CRM systems, Microsoft Office and other business technologies * Valid Class 5 driver’s license and willingness to travel and work outside regular business hours, as required * Must be legally entitled to work in Canada and successfully complete required licensing, security and background checks Saskatchewan Blue Cross is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are also deeply committed to Indigenous inclusion. We recognize the importance of lived experience, cultural knowledge, and traditional leadership. These are valued alongside conventional qualifications as part of our holistic approach to recruitment. #SBCCareers

What you’ll do

The Senior Account Executive is responsible for the acquisition, growth, and retention of strategic Group Benefits clients. They lead complex sales cycles, develop strategic account plans, and collaborate with internal teams to deliver innovative solutions.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least 7 years of relevant sales or account management experience, preferably in Group Benefits or financial services. A post-secondary degree in Business or Marketing is required, along with a valid Life Insurance License (LLQP).

Benefits

• Health and wellness programs • Professional development • Flexible work arrangements

Listed skills

• Problem solving · Preferred
• Negotiation · Preferred
• CRM Systems · Preferred
• Consultative Selling · Preferred
• Group Benefits · Preferred
• Business development · Preferred
• Cross-Functional Collaboration · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Strategic account management
• Group benefits
• Sales strategy
• Business development
• Relationship management
• Negotiation
• RFP development
• Consultative selling
• Financial acumen
• Analytical skills
• Presentation skills
• Client retention
• Market intelligence
• Cross-functional collaboration
• CRM systems
• Problem-solving
• Account Strategy
• Influencing Skills
• Financial Acumen
• Life Insurance License
• Influencing Without Authority
• Relationship Management
• Professionalism
• Accountability
• Sales Prospecting
• Business Objectives
• Valid Driver's License
• Market Positioning
• Account Management
• Underwriting
• Business Marketing
• Business Development
• Customer Relationship Management
• Management
• Business Technologies
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist
• Customer Acquisition Management
• Customer Service
• Communication
• Complex Sales
• Consultative Selling
• Sales
• Financial Services
• Leadership
• Growth Strategies
• Innovation
• Problem Solving
• Market Development
• Market Intelligence
• Market Trend

Job areas

• Sales
• Finance & Accounting
• Healthcare
• Consulting
• Management & Leadership
• Strategic Account Executive
• Account Executive (General)
• Commercial Sales Representatives
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products