Client Specialist

Baird Careers; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Baird in Sarasota, FL is seeking a Client Specialist to deliver outstanding client service and support to Financial Advisors. You will coordinate onboarding, manage communications, and assist with account operations and client events.

You will maintain the CRM, prepare materials for meetings, ensure regulatory compliance, and help grow the Private Wealth Management business. Strong communication and organizational skills required.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of prior industry and/or administrative work experience.
• Active SIE Exam, Series 7, and Series 66 or Series 63/65 licenses (or willingness to obtain within 18 months).
• Strong technology aptitude with ability to adopt AI-enabled solutions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with ability to navigate Private Wealth platforms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; attention to detail.
• Bachelor's degree preferred, not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate client onboarding and manage advisor prospect pipeline.
• Support account operations and document preparation for client accounts.
• Maintain and utilize CRM system to manage client relationships.
• Schedule client appointments and manage materials for meetings.
• Assist with seminars and client events as directed by Advisors.
• Ensure compliance with firm and regulatory policies.

Skills

Client onboarding

CRM management

Microsoft Office

Verbal and written communication

Organizational skills

Regulatory compliance

Analytical thinking

SIE/Series licenses

Education

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office Suite

Financial planning platforms

Job description

About the Role:

As a Client Specialist at Baird, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering outstanding client service and operational support to one or more Financial Advisors. You'll be at the heart of the client experience - coordinating onboarding, managing communications, supporting account operations, and helping organize impactful client events. Your work will directly contribute to the success of Baird's Private Wealth Management business, where true wealth management means understanding each client's unique vision and tailoring solutions to help them succeed.

Check out this video to learn more about the day in the life of our Client Assistants and Client Specialists!

The Impact You'll Make:

• Responsible for client onboarding coordination, which includes managing Financial Advisor(s) prospect pipeline, assisting with proposal generation, preparing new account paperwork, opening accounts, transitioning new assets to Baird and establishing an ongoing communication/client service plan

• Gain knowledge of and leverage partnership with Baird's Corporate Resource Groups to provide the best wealth management solutions to clients

• Answers all incoming phone calls and handles as appropriate. Manages client needs where possible and advises Financial Advisor of action taken

• May schedule client appointments and/or conference room for appointments

• Assemble/generate materials including paperwork and reports for client meetings

• Understand and ensure business adherence with firm and financial industry regulatory policies

• May manage FA and Team's social media presence (website, LinkedIn, X, etc.)

• Maintain Client Relationship Management (CRM) system for Financial Advisor(s), as well as leverage the platform to manage the client relationship through mailings, reporting, e-mail tracking, and more, with the goal of implementing well-defined client service models

• May organize and coordinate seminars and client events at the direction of Financial Advisor(s). Develops client lists, designs material and seminar/meeting content, coordinates PowerPoint presentations and follows through with client contact

• Seek ways to enhance FA(s) business effectiveness and marketability

• Initiates and completes all transactions required to fully service client accounts i.e. paperwork, correspondence, client request fulfillment and special projects as needed

• May enter security orders including stocks, bonds, fixed income, options, annuities and other investment vehicle orders per Financial Advisors' instructions or upon client's verbal direction

• May also provide back-up to other teams and the branch when necessary, as well as perform other duties and special projects as necessary

• Proactively review investment opportunities on a daily basis & notify Financial Advisor(s) to take action on those opportunities with the goal of driving the Financial Advisors' business. Specifically, this may include funds available/money line, maturing securities, reorg items, and previous days' activities

What You'll Bring to Baird:

• 2+ years of prior industry and/or administrative work experience

• Must have Active Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam, Series 7, and Series 66 or Series 63 and Series 65 licenses or be willing to study and obtain within 18 months of hire. Training and resources to be provided and paid for by Baird. If not fully licensed, title will be Client Assistant

• Strong technology aptitude with the ability to adopt new tools, including AI-enabled solutions, preferred

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with the ability to learn and effectively navigate Baird's Private Wealth Management technology platforms

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to adeptly exchange ideas and information

• Detail oriented with an emphasis on accuracy

• Strong organizational skills -- consistent ability to prioritize workflow of team to achieve specific goals in a timely manner

• Understands compliance regulations and correspondence policies. Maintains client confidentiality in all situations

• Good analytical and critical problem-solving skills

• Bachelor's degree preferred, not required

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