Client Relationship Specialist (Reston)

ABOUT APELLA

Apella Wealth is an employee-owned, wealth advisory firm (RIA) headquartered in West Hartford, CT with offices across the nation serving thousands of investors, families, businesses and institutions.

Founded in 2014, we are growing rapidly with approximately $12B in assets under management. We are scaling both organically and through strategic acquisitions as we enter new regional markets and develop world-class, client-relevant capabilities.

Most importantly, we are growing by identifying the right partners that embrace our culture, share in our values, and are dedicated to putting client service first in all they do.

We compete for talent.

We owe it to our clients and our co-workers to find the right people for them and us. At Apella, we do meaningful financial planning with people we genuinely enjoy working with.

THE ROLE

As an Apella Client Relationship Specialist , you will serve as a primary point of contact for High Net Worth (HNW) and Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients working in close, daily collaboration with one or more Apella Advisors. This role reports into a Client Relationship Specialist, Lead and works as part of a team of two or more CRSs being supported by an Account Services Associate (ASA).

This is a rare opportunity to step into a well-supported, high-trust, client-facing role within a national, fee-only RIA. You will receive the opportunity to shape and build deep, meaningful relationships with HNW/UHNW clients as you support seasoned Apella Advisors and provide increasing leverage to their activities.

Where you will work:

This role is based in our Reston, VA office. We believe our best work happens through in-person collaboration, partnership, mentorship and relationship building with flexibility for remote work as needed at the discretion of team leadership.

The CRS role has two equally important areas of focus:

First, you will be charged with assisting experienced advisors as they lead client relationships and deliver holistic financial advisement across retirement planning, investments, tax planning, estate management, and insurance. In this high leverage role, you will be tasked with providing support to the Apella Advisor(s) across all administrative and operational areas. As your experience and knowledge grow, client support work done by the Apella Advisor(s) will increasingly shift to you as you become more capable of providing capacity on the team.

The second area of focus is building the client relationship. This role has daily interaction with Apella clients. As such, you will be on the front-line impacting their experience as an Apella client and representing the firm with every touch point. The expectation is that the CRS will consistently exceed client expectations and develop a rapport that fosters confidence, client loyalty, and long-term value for both the client and firm.

Though the position is client facing, this is not a sales-related role and there is zero expectation of business development. As such, we seek individuals aligned with our culture and who look forward to working closely with a collaborative team led by seasoned CFP® practitioners and client service leaders.

What you will be responsible for:

• Serve as the frontline representative of the Apella Advisor team, fostering trusted client relationships and ensuring a seamless, positive experience
• Liaise between clients, Apella Advisors, and custodians by communicating, monitoring, and escalating service requests to ensure efficient and accurate processing
• Proactively organize and manage books of business, calendars, and schedules to optimize efficiency and enable a focus on client growth
• Deliver a “white glove” client engagement experience including birthday/special event communications, organizing client events, sending holiday gifts and celebrating life milestones
• Maintaining vigilance against potential fraud and cybersecurity breaches for the client and firm
• Process account paperwork and maintain related client files
• Support Advisors’ calendars, proactively contact clients to schedule review meetings
• Respond to client requests for service and process those requests in a timely manner
• Answer client calls, relay messages, and greet clients during scheduled meetings
• Establish and maintain organized department files and records
• Plan and/or attend meetings as requested by your Apella Advisors
• Assist with designated projects including supporting ASA personnel duties on an as needed basis

What qualifications we’re looking for:

• A four-year degree in business, finance, economics or similarly relevant field preferred (not required)
• 3-5 years of experience working directly with clients & owning the client experience, preferably in a financial service environment
• High initiative personality and superb judgment under pressure
• Ability to navigate competing priorities while maintaining composure and focus
• Knowledge of investment products and custodial accounts
• Exceptional critical thinking abilities and attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong listening skills; professional demeanor
• Strong organizational, prioritization and project management skills
• Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook); ERP and CRM software
• Eager to learn and able to adapt quickly to multiple technology platforms and rapid change

WHAT WE OFFER

A base salary range of $70K-$80K with discretionary bonus and opportunity to learn the wealth advisory industry from experienced Apella Advisors and interact with HNW/UHNW clients on a daily basis.

A comprehensive benefits package including:

• Day 1 Medical, Dental, and Vison health insurance coverage for you and your specific needs
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options w/company contribution
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match to help you achieve your financial goals
• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy to ensure you have time to rest and recharge when needed
• Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage options
• 16-week fully paid Parental Leave programs and adoption assistance support to help you start a family
• Continuing education and certification fee reimbursement for professional development
• Discount perks on travel, childcare, fitness, electronics, meal delivery, pet insurance, and more
• Most importantly: The chance to help shape the future of a growing regional team and firm