Business Development Associate

Position Summary: The Business Development Associate role will support Cerity Partners business development efforts in Custodial Referral Programs, a key channel of organic growth for the firm. This role will support the regional Business Development Officers (BDOs) by serving as an in-office extension of the sales team, keeping opportunities moving forward while BDOs are active in the field. The Associate will be responsible for coordinating branch meetings, responding to initial inquiries from branch Financial Consultants (FCs), and managing outreach on stale or difficult-to-reach prospects to ensure pipeline momentum is maintained. They will also play a key role in the client onboarding experience by collecting and organizing proposal materials, monitoring the onboarding process alongside servicing advisors, and qualifying opportunities to facilitate introductory meetings between BDOs and FCs or prospective clients. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced financial services environment and is eager to grow within a client-facing business development function. Primary Responsibilities Act as extension of multiple BDOs in the region assigned, moving sales processes forward while BDOs are in the field or traveling within a region. Coordinate branch meetings. Field initial inquiries from FCs when BDO is unavailable. Manage reporting and outreach on stale or hard to reach opportunities. Assist in collecting and organizing information required to prepare client proposals. Track client onboarding process with servicing advisor and provide support where necessary. Ensure data integrity of all active opportunities in CRM and other core systems. Engage with FCs or Clients to qualify the opportunity and set-up initial meeting between the BDO and FC or Client Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Finance, Business, Economics or a related field. 1 – 4 years of work experience in a related field or role. Experience supporting or participating in business development or a sales process. Ability to work full time from a company location (3-4 days in office per week) and travel on a limited basis. Prior exposure to RIA, Broker Dealer or Custodial Platforms (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity, Pershing) a strong plus. Preferred Qualifications: Working towards or have secured Securities Industry Essential (SIE) Exam, Series 65 or other industry certifications Skills and Competencies: Demonstrate strong and effective communication, organizational and time management skills. Ability to work in a team based/collaborative environment. Proficiency in CRM platforms (Salesforce preferred) Proficiency with, or the interest and aptitude to become proficient in using firm-enabled AI tools. Must accept and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment. Adherence to all compliance policies & procedures. Demonstrate the Cerity Partners culture. Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Compensation Range: $75,000 - $85,000 Why Cerity Partners: Our people drive our success by working together to deliver exceptional service to our clients. Below is a glimpse of the key elements of our total rewards package: Health, dental, and vision insurance – day 1! 401(k) savings and investment plan options with 4% match Flexible PTO policy Parental Leave Financial assistance for advanced education and professional designations Opportunity to give back time to local communities Commuter benefits Cerity Partners is committed to providing an environment where all individuals can be their authentic selves. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who respects each individual and supports the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences of our colleagues. We are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Cerity Partners is committed to working with and providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities or special needs. For those needing accommodations, please reach out to View email address on click.appcast.io. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Ultimately, outstanding wealth management is about people and relationships. Our people are the nucleus of Cerity Partners. Each colleague brings unique expertise, commitment and knowledge to the firm and it is by working together that we achieve our mission to have a positive impact on the financial well-being of our clients, colleagues and communities. Our people drive our success by working together to deliver exceptional service to our clients. We truly care about what we do. Introduce yourself to our Talent Acquisition Team and we'll be in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match for your skill set. Cerity Partners is one of the nation’s leading independent financial advisory firms. We serve high-net-worth individuals & their families, businesses, & their employees, and nonprofit organizations from our offices across the country. Our in-house experts of tax advisors, financial planners, investment professionals, & retirement plan consultants are passionate about and committed to providing objective financial advice & oversight. At Cerity Partners, we believe in the long view. We work with clients who appreciate our comprehensive and sustained approach to wealth management. We don’t just look for short-term gains, we seek long-term growth. We have the same approach to our people. We look for experienced and credentialed wealth management colleagues who can keep pace with us. We manage over $100 billion assets for our clients and we are routinely recognized as a Barron’s Top 100 RIA firms in the nation. The driving factor of our accelerated growth is our people. Located throughout the U.S., our teams consist of experts who are helpful, knowledgeable, sincere, and have the perseverance and capability to go the extra mile for our clients. We consider our firm a community that works together to serve one common goal: Finding diverse solutions to suit diverse financial needs.