At American Equity Investment Life Holding Company®we offer leading annuity products that help empower our clients to fulfill their needs and wants in retirement. Our success comes from hiring high-energy individuals who embody the beliefs that drive our unique culture. We currently fund over half a million retirements nationwide, and have been headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, for over twenty-five years with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
The Sales Support Specialist acts as a resource for financial advisors of our partner firms in matters relating to Eagle Life products, value proposition and procedures. The role will be critical in strengthening relationships with external business partners, identifying prospecting opportunities, data gathering and assisting the wholesaling teams with marketing campaigns and special projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Holds priority position in Sales Support inbound phone queue and responds to inbound calls regarding annuity pre-sale and post-sale questions, needs, and concerns.
- Regularly assists internal and external business partners with the following, but not limited to; Public and non-public Eagle websites, annuity illustration software, sales and marketing programs, annuity product questions, Customer Excellence procedures, pre-sale requirements, in-force annuity service related matters, etc.
- Provides superior customer service by meeting department Sales Support Specialist metrics for Aux time, talk time and inbound/outbound call-quality assurance.
- Maintains knowledge of Customer Excellence, Suitability, and other departments’ procedures impacting financial advisors with our partner firms.
- Proactively asks probing questions for data gathering and prospecting purposes.
- Provides lead opportunities to External and Internal Wholesalers.
- Regularly assists Eagle Life wholesaling teams by helping to drive attendance to conference dinners, CE breakouts and regional events, primarily through outbound calls.
- Provides useful and timely feedback to direct manager and other stakeholders.
- Maintains a thorough working knowledge of Eagle products, strategies, systems, processes, and technologies.
- Generates ideas and helps create messaging for marketing and sales.
- Actively stays current on investment strategies and trends in the financial industry.
- Performs other related work as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Direct Reports: None
General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs): None
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in marketing, business administration or related field of study; or equivalent related experience.
- Prior sales support or customer service experience beneficial.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:
- Current Life & Health License preferred. If not currently licensed, ability to obtain within 90 days of employment is required
- Ability to obtain additional licenses in the future, if necessary.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Strong customer service orientation.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills to allow for collaborative work effort.
- Knowledge of retirement products.
- Ability to interact with all levels of internal and external resources.
- Strong problem-solving abilities.
- Professional maturity to effectively interface with financial advisors.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to multi task
- Mathematical skills and strong attention to detail.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals and technical/operational procedures.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
- Ability to maintain valid driver’s license.
What We Do
American Equity* Fixed Index Annuities * Retirement Planning * Customer Service
An American-owned and operated company headquartered in the heart of the Midwest, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company® is a leader in the fixed indexed annuities marketplace. American Equity’s growth and success is attributed to our dedication to excellent customer service and emphasis on building customer relationships.
“The One Who Works for You!®” serves as the foundation for the way American Equity does business and values its more than 500 employees. Guided by our Principles of Excellence, we do more than sell retirement annuity products -- we are dedicated to fostering opportunity and innovation to meet the ever-changing needs and goals of retirement.
"It's About the People" is the American Equity story and the legacy of our founder David J. Noble. This commitment to excellence includes our employees, agents, partners, and contract owners. We thank you for entrusting us with the things that matter most.
When your retirement begins, you want to ensure you can enjoy it, which is why it’s important to have reliable support that can help fund every day of your golden years. After all, your life of hard work has earned you the retirement you planned for. These are the guiding principles that define everything we do. American Equity is the one who works for you.