RFP Consultant - Colonial Life Job Posting End Date: 12/12 Unum is a company of people serving people. As one of the world's leading employee benefits providers and a Fortune 500 company, Unum's financial protection benefits help protect more than 33 million working people and their families from the financial impact of illness or injury. Unum's three distinct, but similarly focused US businesses Unum US, Colonial Life, and Starmount Life are each a market leader in making disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, and vision insurance accessible in the workplace. Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Unum has significant US operations in Portland, Maine, Worcester, Massachusetts, and Glendale, California with over 35 field offices nationwide. Colonial Life is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina with over 40 field offices nationwide. Starmount Life is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is the dental and vision center of excellence for Unum in the US. General Summary: This position is accountable for providing management of and support for mid-market and large case client acquisition. This role is responsible for developing and driving a balanced and professional response for prospective customers, as well as the management of RFPs/RFIs relative to case acquisition accomplished through coordination and partnering with other functional areas. As the leader of the proposal response team for selected prospects (internally within the department and cross functionally with key partners Benefits, Client Service, Legal, Sales, IT, etc.) that will guarantee a quality product to the field, the Consultant will assure a balanced and professional response is developed for each prospective customer. While developing the expertise required for the RFP Director position, the Consultant will also be responsible for simultaneously managing multiple projects that contribute to strategic initiatives that will improve the area's productivity and work product quality. Principal Duties and Responsibilities * Drive the production of high quality proposal/RFP questionnaire responses (all product and service offerings) in support of the new business acquisition/sales goals. More specifically: * Be able to understand and respond to the most complex large cases and specific complex case situations * Drive the preparation and assembly of (supported by Analysts and/or other RFP Directors) customized proposals on the largest/most complex cases in response to RFP/RFI requests, requiring the ability to synthesize/summarize information into clear, concise responses that present a positive image of Colonial Life * Leverage expertise and communications abilities to create strong working relationships with key subject matter experts throughout the organization in order to maintain knowledge, facilitate cooperation, and ensure timely responses to specific proposal questions * Draw upon expert resources throughout the company to develop unique solutions and prepare responses to customer requests * Consistently deliver dependable, accurate and timely service * Ensure RFP responses are delivered that best represent the company in their conciseness, accuracy and the tone/image. * Support the development of an organization focused on delivering high quality, consistent, and accurate proposals which accurately reflect the service offering and the associated costs being offered to prospective clients. More specifically: * Review Analyst & Director proposal/RFP documents as a part of the quality assurance management team * Mentor, train, and support the RFP Analysts (regular and contract employees) in the development of responses to RFPs, consistent with the departmental strategy * Take leadership role in performing the necessary research and analysis required to solve problems, correct problems and implement enhancements of RFP work product/processes in a timely manner * Provide support for the maintenance of the RFP databank (all product lines/services; large and core market) * Act as the designated resource within the department for knowledge and information relating to large case acquisition, implementation, and case management. * Support mentoring and motivation of a highly skilled staff of proposal professionals. The incumbent is expected to assist management by: * Mentoring, training, and supporting the Analysts in the development of responses to RFPs * Acting as a role model in building relationships with internal partners and external constituents (brokers, benefits consultants, and customers), in alignment with the companys strategy and direction * Advocating, supporting, and leading change efforts * Leading work teams inspired by team collaboration and driven to team ownership of work results in order to execute effectively. * Manage and execute on multiple projects simultaneously that contribute to the strategic initiatives relative to customized, high quality RFP responses. Job Specifications * Bachelor's degree or equivalent related work experience * 57 years insurance/business experience in one or more of the following areas: Client Services, Underwriting, Benefit Center, Distribution/Field Service Large Case experience required * Clear, in-depth, and complete understanding of Colonial Life's products, services, and processes with emphasis on funding options, embedded services, and claims * Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work well with all levels of employees * Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring and training skills * Ability to navigate and partner/collaborate effectively throughout all areas of the company * Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical writing skills * Excellent research, analytical and creative problem-solving skills * Demonstrated initiative and results orientation * Orientation toward accuracy and attention to detail * Excellent organizational, time management, and planning skills * Ability to work independently with little supervision * Excellent PC skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access * Flexibility to work well under pressure, manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines * Demonstrated superior project management skills #LI-TR1 Unum and its family of businesses offer world-class training and development, generous compensation and benefits packages, and a culture built on employee ideas. Unum is an equal opportunity employer, considering all qualified applicants and employees for hiring, placement, and advancement, without regard to a person's race, color, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, military status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or protected veteran status. Company: Colonial Life