Manager, Group Benefits

Saskatchewan Blue Cross, one of Saskatchewan's Top Employers, is currently recruiting for a full-time permanent Manager, Group Benefits to join our team in the Group Benefits department. This position offers the flexibility to be in-office or participate in hybrid options in our Saskatoon or Regina office.

ABOUT US

Saskatchewan Blue Cross (SBC) is a local, not-for-profit organization that puts people and community at the heart of every interaction. We've been serving the health insurance needs of Saskatchewan for almost 80 years—and we're just getting started. Every day, our team provides exceptional service to more than 200,000 people and 1,000 employers. The wellbeing of our employees, members, partners and communities is at the heart of our operations. 

We're proud to be one of Canada's Top 100 Brands, as part of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, and a leader in corporate social responsibility. Together, Blue Cross companies are the largest carrier of health and dental benefits in Canada, with international links to health benefit providers through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and the International Federation of Health Funds.

Our industry is evolving fast, and so are we We're improving 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. 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 understand people's needs
• See solutions and possibilities (not problems)
• Are simply outstanding at what they do

JOB FUNCTION

Reporting to the Assistant Vice-President, Sales, the Manager, Group Benefits, has a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the strategic and operational success of three core teams within the Group Benefits Department: Group Sales, Group Benefits Support, and Group Benefits Service. This position collaborates and guides the team to drive revenue growth, strengthens advisor and client relationships, and elevates the overall client experience by aligning teams, optimizing processes, and maintaining high standards of operational excellence. The Manager, Group Benefits, plays a pivotal role in ensuring effective sales performance, service excellence, and administrative coordination, supporting seamless execution across all stages of the client lifecycle, including prospecting, onboarding, and ongoing service.

As a cross-functional leader, the Manager, Group Benefits, builds high-performing teams, fosters continuous improvement, and ensures cohesive collaboration across all functions. By strengthening processes, improving communication, and upholding SBC's mission, vision, and values, this role safeguards SBC's reputation and contributes to strategic business planning. The Manager, Group Benefits, is accountable to support the team to deliver results, enhance client satisfaction, and ensure the integrated success of the Group Benefits Department.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with direct reports, including Team Leads, to build a high performing, engaged culture across Sales, Support, and Service teams
• Works with direct reports, including Team Leads, to ensure role clarity and develops clear performance goals aligned to overall strategic, operational and engagement goals; monitors overall performance of the team, and addresses obstacles as they arise
• Ensures completion of department objectives by delegating appropriately, managing employees, planning and evaluating department activities, monitoring and reviewing KPI'S and following through on the department work plans
• Oversees department workload through timeline negotiation, resource planning and prioritization of objectives
• Develops annual departmental plans that operationalize the business plan and supports the longer-term strategy for the department
• Responds to complex and priority requests from internal and/or external clients/members/employees and involves / informs others as required
• Ensures exceptional plan sponsor and plan administrator experiences through standardized service practices
• Translates business strategy into clear sales, service, and operational priorities
• Provides proactive communication to leadership on sales performance, service outcomes, and operational insights
• Influences advisor, distribution, and product partners to support growth and enhance market position
• Maintains situational awareness of market conditions, competitive trends, and evolving industry needs
• Drives revenue growth, retention, and sales performance through coaching, planning, and consistent execution
• Mobilizes pipeline strategies and sales programs that strengthen advisor relationships and deepen market penetration
• Uses client insights, data, and CRM to improve conversion, identify opportunities, and reduce churn
• Oversees advisor education programs to strengthen knowledge, compliance, and market effectiveness
• Accurately forecasts sales, retention, and department performance in collaboration with Accounting
• Prepares, manages, and monitors departmental budget with input from Team Leaders; forecast requirements, schedule expenditures, analyze variances, and initiate corrective actions
• Ensures fiscal accountability and adherence to policies, audit requirements, quality, compliance, and regulatory standards
• Prepares and delivers strategies that balances cost efficiencies with quality service and client impact
• Drives, inspires, and models SBC's culture and people strategy as a brand advocate by living the Culture Statement and Communications Commitment
• Ensures a positive, diverse, inclusive, safe, and legal work environment that is focused on delivering an exceptional member and employee experiences
• Additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Business, Sales & Marketing, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in sales, service, or business operations within the insurance, financial services, or a related sector, including a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or people-leadership role
• Life Insurance License (LLQP) is required, and must be committed to continuous learning, the desire to enroll in industry training and to maintaining the educational requirements of the Life License
  • The successful candidate must complete and achieve their provincial LLQP license within 6 months of hire
• CEBS Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation is considered an asset
• Proven track record of achieving and exceeding revenue, retention, and service targets through the design of high-performing sales programs, supported by broad industry experience in group benefits, personal health insurance, and distributed sales models involving advisors and consultants.
• Extensive experience in hands-on sales coaching, including advanced negotiation, pipeline management, and advisor relationship development
• Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build rapport and credibility across peers, cross-functional partners, senior leaders, and external business partners
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with a demonstrated ability to identify root causes, resolve issues quickly, and advance practical, business-driving solutions
• Demonstrated competency in segmentation, sales analysis, and profitability assessment, including the use of data to drive strategy
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with advanced research and analytical skills and the ability to synthesize complex information into compelling presentations, reports, and business cases
• Advanced computer proficiency, including CRM platforms and the full Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to quickly learn new tools and systems
• Must maintain a valid Class 5 driver's license and be willing to travel and work remotely as needed, including occasional work outside regular business hours
• Security clearance will be required to complete licensing requirements
• Legally entitled to work in Canada on an unrestricted basis
• Criminal record and background check satisfactory to Saskatchewan Blue Cross

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.

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