Business Development Associate I

Investors rely on William Blair Private Wealth Management to activate their capital with purpose and precision. Our wealth advisors and their teams do this by delivering thoughtfully constructed, integrated wealth planning and by providing access to compelling investment opportunities. As one of the last true global partnerships in the investment industry, William Blair combines the world-class investment resources of a full-service global firm and the high-touch service, stability, and culture of an independent organization. This model empowers us to be singularly focused on our clients’ success across market cycles and across generations. The firm has been a well-respected provider of private wealth management since 1935 and has won several awards from Barron’s and Forbes for best wealth advisors and wealth advisor teams.

Provide support to the business development efforts throughout the sales cycle for Asset Mark. Main responsibilities will be: marketing, relationship management, and business development resource to Wealth Advisor team(s) in the acquisition and expansion of client accounts and assets. Oversee the planning and execution of client engagement activities.      

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:      

• Provides direct support to Senior Business Development Associate colleagues to further penetrate the marketplace with WB’s offerings.

• In partnership with Senior Business Development Associates, act as a relationship manager to new and existing clients. Participate in client meetings, presentations, and proposals for firm initiatives.

• Manage day-to-day communications and requests for information from consultants, financial advisors, and end-clients, both prospective and existing clients. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting in-depth profiling and due diligence, establishing reasonable expectations for timeframes and capabilities, maintaining and sharing detailed notes, and respecting the firm’s resources including the time and commitment of colleagues.

• Assist in identifying and prospective clients, prepare and deliver presentations and/or other marketing materials or visual aids.

• Proactively provide input into the development of marketing campaigns and contribute sales ideas to better position investment capabilities, position the firm in a positive manner and educate external audiences about offerings.

• Assist with the RFP process and with setting up and hosting on-site, virtual, and telephone meetings.

• Pre-screening profiling advisors and / or prospective end clients. Identify opportunities to market the firm’s offerings and capabilities to prospective and existing clients based on an understanding of client needs. Educate clients on firm offerings/capabilities and services.

• Support colleagues to follow up on client contacts and close the sale of investment services to high net worth individual investors.

• Assists in, and may even lead, the development and launch of new policies and procedures, capabilities/offerings, and marketing initiatives.

• May be called upon to provide direct support to Senior Business Development Associate colleagues (i.e. such as what may sometimes be referred to as an "internal" wholesaler function) and/or other members of the broader team.

• Develop and maintain detailed knowledge of current events, financial markets, firm investment products, capabilities, and services.

• Create and maintain the planning and execution of client engagement activities, such as seminars and campaigns. Conceptualize appropriate outreach methods and collaborate with Wealth Advisor, Marketing, Financial Planning, Consulting Services teams to develop objectives and desired outcomes of engagement activities.

• Identify and maintain consultant, advisor, and client/prospect data in Salesforce. Adoption and use of Salesforce will be essential.

• Adoption and use of other systems/tools including, but not limited to, Accent (Marketing materials, Pitchbooks, etc.), Tamarac/AdvisorView (Client Reporting), RDocs (William Blair Research Portal), and proposal-generation tools (Wealthbench, MoneyGuidePro, custom-built internal templates) will also be required

• Ensure all work activities are in compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Use good judgement and integrity with regard to travel, entertainment, and incurrence of expenses.

• Additional responsibilities as requested.    

Qualifications:    

• Bachelor’s Degree required 

• 2-5 years of industry and/or sales, business development, client service, relationship management, or consulting experience required 

• Progress towards MBA, CFP, or CFA preferred

• Salesforces experience, preferred 

• SIE Exam, Series 7 and 63 or 65/66 licenses required within 150 days of starting

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong public speaking skills

• High attention to detail

• Tech savvy

• Highly motivated; a self-starter with a high level of personal accountability

• Strong marketing skills

• Strong project management skills. Ability to manage multiple projects with different deadlines

• Must be able to travel regularly and on short notice

• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, flexible, team-based environment

• Travel, as needed