Principal
Position Overview
The Principal Consultant serves as a senior leader within the Employee Benefits practice, responsible for driving strategic client relationships, delivering complex consulting solutions, and leading high-performing client service teams. This role blends deep technical expertise in health & welfare and/or retirement benefits with executive-level advisory capabilities and team leadership.
The Principal Consultant acts as the primary advisor to key clients, overseeing account strategy, ensuring service excellence, and mentoring consultants and analysts to deliver impactful outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Client Leadership & Strategy
- Serve as the executive relationship lead for a portfolio of mid-market to large clients across corporate, public sector, and/or nonprofit segments
- Partner with CFOs, CHROs, and HR leadership to develop and implement comprehensive employee benefits strategies
- Provide strategic guidance on plan design, cost management, vendor selection, and long-term benefits planning
- Lead renewal strategy, including financial analysis, risk mitigation, and negotiation positioning
- Identify emerging trends (regulatory, market, clinical) and translate them into actionable client strategies
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and oversee client teams, including Senior Consultants, Consultants, and Analysts
- Delegate workstreams appropriately while maintaining quality control and strategic oversight
- Mentor and develop team members through coaching, feedback, and career guidance
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance team culture
- Ensure consistency and excellence in client deliverables across engagements
Business Development & Growth
- Expand existing client relationships through cross-selling and upselling additional services
- Lead or contribute to new business development, including proposal development and finalist presentations
- Build and maintain a strong professional network within the benefits ecosystem (carriers, vendors, industry groups)
- Identify new solution areas and innovative offerings to enhance client value
Technical & Advisory Expertise
- Provide subject matter expertise across health & welfare (e.g., medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, wellbeing) and/or retirement plans
- Oversee complex financial modeling, benchmarking, and claims analysis
- Guide compliance strategy related to applicable regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, etc.)
- Evaluate and recommend vendor solutions, including PBMs, TPAs, and point solutions
- Ensure all client recommendations are data-driven, compliant, and aligned with client objectives
Operational Excellence
- Ensure high-quality deliverables, timely execution, and client satisfaction across all engagements
- Manage account profitability, including fee structures and resource allocation
- Oversee project timelines, milestones, and risk management across client workstreams
- Implement best practices and process improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery
Qualifications
Required
- 10+ years of experience in employee benefits consulting (brokerage, consulting firm, or similar environment)
- Demonstrated success managing complex client relationships and leading client teams
- Deep expertise in health & welfare benefits and/or retirement programs
- Strong financial acumen, including experience with underwriting and claims analysis
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop talent
Preferred
- Experience working with public sector or large, complex organizations
- Professional designations such as CEBS, CBP, or similar
- Strong network within carrier/vendor landscape
- Track record of business development and revenue growth
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking and executive presence
- Leadership and team development
- Client relationship management
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation excellence
- Commercial acumen and growth mindset
Success Profile
A successful Principal Consultant is a trusted advisor, team leader, and business builder-someone who can balance high-level strategy with execution, inspire teams, and deliver measurable value to clients.
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your CV and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organisations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your CV so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with CV and interview preparation. From customised support on how to optimise your CV to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.