The Transaction Advisory Practice provides consultative property & casualty insurance and employee benefits due diligence advisory services to the private equity community and Lockton’s existing client base. This team of experienced professionals provides a comprehensive assessment of the financial impact of insurance and employee benefits on a potential acquisition from both a purchase price and ongoing operational perspective. 
 

As an Employee Benefits Transaction Advisor, you will analyze and evaluate data gathered from the Target company to assess potential deal issues and cost impacts to your Client, the Buyer. You will have co-ownership, with your property & casualty insurance counterpart, of a written report summarizing your findings, identifying risks, and providing recommendations and opportunities for the post-transaction entity related to their employee benefit plans. 
 

Role Responsibilities
1. Responsible for leading employee benefits due diligence projects for our private equity and corporate clients, including:  
     a. Requesting, gathering and organizing applicable documentation; 
     b. Reviewing and analyzing applicable documentation with an eye for identifying and quantifying deal impactful issues relevant to a financial or strategic buyer; 
     c. Soliciting subject matter expertise, where necessary, from internal Lockton resources; 
     d. Coordinating with other third-party due diligence work streams and their respective advisors, including legal, financial, and business strategy, as the primary Lockton deal contact person; and 
     e. Prepare a written analysis of the employee benefit plans in place and how they will be impacted by the contemplated transaction. Formulate findings to include a coverage analysis, financial analysis and projections; identification of program deficiencies, compliance concerns, and transition issues; as well as purchase and transitional service agreement recommendations, where applicable.     
2. Responsible for delivering and communicating transactional deal issues as they arise, and final written findings to the client — the private equity buyer or operating company C-suite executives. 
3. Responsible for liaising with Lockton service teams and the client on the transition of new business to Lockton.    
4. May supervise and/or provide cross-training to other advisors or analysts to enhance understanding and application of processes, projects and procedures. 
5. Proactively applies judgement and creativity and makes work plan alterations based on data and resource availability and time constraints to meet time sensitive deadlines.  
6. Performs other responsibilities and duties as needed. 
 

Competencies
• Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of the M&A process, buyer and transaction types, role of advisors, and the due diligence process, with an emphasis on the employee benefit workstream.  
    o Knowledge of the variety of the group healthcare products and funding mechanisms, group ancillary products, and retirement plan types available to small business and larger employers. 
    o Knowledge of group health plan underwriting, advanced understanding of U.S. federal laws and regulations to which employee benefit plans are subject (e.g. ERISA, COBRA, PPACA, and Internal Revenue Code), related controlled group provisions, state regulations applicable to insured group benefit products, and local ordinances impacting employer-sponsored programs, as well as familiarity with non-U.S. employee benefit programs, individual life and disability insurance products, and total reward strategies desirable.  
    o Solid understanding of financial statements in relation to employee benefit concepts.  
• Professionalism: Conducts oneself in a polite and respectful manner and demonstrates good judgment when dealing with prospects, internal and external clients
• Client Focus: Practices Lockton’s motto, “We Live Service,” while serving Clients’ needs, nurturing effective Client relationships, and contributing to the overall success and satisfaction of Lockton
• Reliability: Completes tasks and job functions on time, while meeting or exceeding expectations; carries a trusted reputation for dependability, honesty, consistency, and commitment.
• Time Management and Organization: Strong analytical and reasoning skill set, including data analysis, research, critical thinking, creativity and communication skills with an attention to detail, demonstrating the ability to collect and examine large volumes of data to spot trends, draw inferences or conclusions in data observed/gaps, and make decisions, recommendations and/or projections based on findings. Ability to collect information and research topics for further understanding and/or recommendations and ability to explain findings and patterns observed. 
    o Advanced organizational, planning, and time management skill set, demonstrating understanding of project workflow and keeping an eye on overall project while maintaining focus on details. Ability to anticipate resources needed, assemble resources, and alter plan based on resource availability and time constraints. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize tasks, time and workload are needed to meet time-sensitive deadlines. 
    o Ability to operate comfortably in a dynamic, changing, and fast-paced environment. 
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate thoughts clearly and succinctly. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information and offer clear suggestions to non-benefit professionals either one-on-one or while speaking to a group. 
    o Advanced proficiency of MS Excel, including ability to analyze data using pivot tables, and MS Word.  

•    Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience and/or work experience.
•    Experience in the insurance industry with a broad understanding of the various employee benefits coverages, retirement plan administration, programs, and services.
•    Understanding of risk financing and risk management concepts and application.
•    Experience and knowledge with mergers and acquisition processes and the private equity deal environment.
•    Excellent project management and organizational skills. Proven ability in managing multiple projects to successful completion.
•    Strong verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to translate insurance, financial and legal concepts to disparate audiences.
•    Solid understanding of financial statements and relation to insurance concepts.
•    Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) or similar software applications.
•    Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to develop sound relationships with multiple clients.
•    Understands industry trends and governmental regulations
•    Ability to complete continuing education requirements as needed
•    Ability to attend company, department, and team meetings as required, including industry training sessions
•    Ability to comply with all company policies and procedures, proactively protecting confidentiality of client and company information
•    Ability to travel by automobile and aircraft
•    Ability to use office equipment such as a computer, keyboard, calculator, photocopier, and facsimile machine
•    Ability to work on a computer for a prolonged amount of time
•    Ability to work outside of normal business hours as needed
•    Legally able to work in the United States

Compensation and Benefits

Lockton Companies LLC is committed to offering competitive pay and benefits and complies with all relevant state/local pay transparency laws. The entry base salary offered for this opportunity may vary, and is contingent upon candidate education, skills, abilities, essential competencies, experience, professional designations, unique qualifications, and geographic location.

Performance Bonus: This role may be eligible for an annual performance bonus, based upon the financial performance of the organization and the individual contributions of the Associate.

Check out Lockton Benefits Offerings Here