Client Associate (SF)

Laird Norton Wetherby; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Sabbatical after 10 years

Flexible spending plans

Job summary

Laird Norton Wetherby in San Francisco seeks a Client Associate to join a wealth management team. You will support the advisory staff, handle client inquiries, and manage account openings and maintenance in a collaborative, client-focused environment.

The role emphasizes organization, communication, and detail orientation, with potential for added certifications and growth in wealth planning services. Hybrid in-office/remote work is offered.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree or equivalent work experience in financial services is required.
• Prefer 1+ years’ experience in private wealth management or client services; hireable with limited experience.
• CFP certification is not required but a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support advisory team in servicing wealth management clients with focus on operational tasks.
• Develop familiarity with assigned clients and their needs.
• Respond professionally to client and third-party inquiries.
• Open/close client accounts and perform maintenance updates.
• Process subscriptions for new investments and client transfers.
• Draft correspondence for charitable contributions; generate client reports.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and maintain client setup and custodial processes.
• Adapt duties as the business needs evolve.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Organizational skills

Self-starter

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Addepar

Salesforce

Schwab custodian

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO, CA

We are seeking a full-time Client Associate to join our team. You will work with a team of wealth management professionals and other Laird Norton Wetherby (LNW) team members to provide excellent service to our internal and external clients.

Your Role And Responsibilities

Nature of Role

• As a Client Associate (CA) you work in a client-focused, team-centered environment assisting the advisory team in servicing the needs of the firm’s wealth management clients, with a focus on completing operational tasks for clients.
• You must be organized, have outstanding attention to detail, excellent computer proficiency and great communication skills.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Develop familiarity with assigned clients and their needs.
• Respond to client and third-party questions professionally and in a timely manner.
• Open and close client accounts and complete account maintenance updates.
• Complete subscription process for new alternative investments.
• Complete client monetary and/or securities transfers.
• Facilitate client charitable contributions and gifts, including drafting related correspondence.
• Generate and review periodic recurring and custom reporting for clients.
• Troubleshoot and tackle various operational issues (accounts, client set up, custodial) utilizing a proactive approach.

Duties and Responsibilities will increase and vary based on needs of business.

More About You

• Four-year college degree or equivalent work experience in the financial services industry is required.
• Prefer 1 or more years’ experience in private wealth management, client services, or finance/banking operations. Willing to hire with no or limited experience.
• Professional certifications such as CFP are not necessary but are a plus.

Skills And Attributes

• Strong organizational skills and attention and accuracy to detail to meet client deadlines with high quality, detail-oriented work.
• Strong communication skills enabling proactive, consistent and effective communication within the client team.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently in a fast-paced setting, be a self-starter, and take ownership of tasks from beginning to end.
• Interest in building a career in the wealth management industry.
• Motivated to take on new challenges and actively involved in learning and development.
• Ability to effectively manage conflicting priorities and handle time-sensitive issues.
• Familiarity with investment concepts a plus.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite is required, advanced skills preferred.
• Experience in financial software applications and platforms, including Addepar, Salesforce, Schwab custodian, are a plus.
• Alignment with our company values and behaviors.
• Support the cultivation of an inclusive environment and culture by internalizing, integrating and applying DEI principles across work and activities.

Candidates must meet all employment qualifications in force at time of hiring, including successful passing of background & credit checks and any pre-employment examinations, signing of all employee agreements, and can perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities set forth in a consistent and efficient manner.

Compensation And Benefits

We provide a competitive salary commensurate with your experience and skills and offer an annual bonus based on company and individual performance. The salary range for this position starts at $68,200 for those without experience to $85,000 for those who meet all qualifications depending on location and experience.

The salary range applies to current posting and may change in the future. The posted salary range may vary for key factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related knowledge, experience, skill set, and geographic location.

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous time off (including a sabbatical program after 10 years); flexible spending plans for health care, transportation, and dependent care; 401(k) plan, educational reimbursements, and more. Detailed information can be found on our site and here.

Our Team

You will be joining a client service team that is dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals by providing exceptional client service and wealth planning services. Putting our clients first guides our decision-making and culture, and allows us to build long-term, caring and trusted relationships.

We love working in a professional yet relaxed working environment. We encourage openness, active listening, mutual respect, candor and integrity. We cultivate a diverse and inclusive work environment where we encourage a work/life balance through a generous PTO policy and flexible work hours. We enjoy each other's company at team and semi-annual firm wide outings. We take a hybrid in-office/remote working approach.

About Us

For more than five decades, Laird Norton Wetherby (LNW) has served the interests of exceptional families and individuals. As both an RIA and trust company, LNW offers a full spectrum of specialized wealth & legacy planning, investment management and trust & estate services that advance the aspirations and long-term, multigenerational financial ambitions of its clients. LNW has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, as well as an affiliate trust company in South Dakota, empowering clients across the U.S.

LNW is majority owned by Laird Norton Company, one of the longest-sustained family enterprises in the United States, as well as by active employees.

Additional Information

Our firm aims to cultivate an inclusive environment and culture that foster growth, collaboration and acceptance; where we celebrate the diverse voices and perspectives of our employees; and where employees feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves. Our diversity drives us forward and helps us build deeper relationships with our clients and our community.

We are an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment, individuals providing services in the workplace pursuant to a contract, unpaid interns and volunteers based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, registered domestic partner status, military and veteran status, civil air patrol status, national origin, immigration status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, and including medical conditions related to lactation) or medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics).

As of 09/16/2026