Manager, Client Service

Focus Partners; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Focus Partners is seeking a Manager, Client Service to lead a high-quality client service experience and to develop a team of Client Service professionals. This role balances hands-on leadership with people management, escalation ownership, and process improvements for consistent service standards.

The position supports a hybrid schedule with 3 days in office per week and up to 2 remote days. Strong collaboration with advisory teams and custodial partners is essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in financial services, including at least 3 years in the RIA industry.
• 2+ years supervising or managing service-oriented or operational teams.
• Proven ability to resolve complex or escalated service issues.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and relationship-management skills.
• Strong coaching and people leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct daily Client Service activities with appropriate coverage.
• Prioritize work and adjust resources for fluctuating volumes and seasonal demands.
• Coach team members to deliver high-quality, high-touch service.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and develop Client Service staff.
• Monitor service metrics and collaborate with internal teams to improve processes.
• Maintain hands-on engagement by retaining a limited CSA workload.

Skills

Leadership

Client service

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Salesforce

Orion

Pontera

Job description

Job Description Summary

Focus Partners is seeking a Manager, Client Service. The Manager, Client Service leads the delivery of a high-quality, consistent client service experience while managing and developing a team of Client Service professionals. This role balances hands-on operational leadership with people management, escalation ownership, and continuous improvement of service processes to ensure service standards are met and upheld.

Focus Partners is seeking a Manager, Client Service. The Manager, Client Service leads the delivery of a high-quality, consistent client service experience while managing and developing a team of Client Service professionals. This role balances hands-on operational leadership with people management, escalation ownership, and continuous improvement of service processes to ensure service standards are met and upheld.

The Manager, Client Service serves as a trusted partner to advisors, internal teams, and custodial partners, guiding the team to deliver exceptional service to advisory teams and clients. The role includes directing day-to-day team activities, overseeing complex issues and custodian escalations, and collaborating closely across Client Service, Core Operations, and Platform Operations. Success in this role requires flexibility, sound judgment, proactive leadership, and consistent follow-through in a dynamic environment.

Focus provides team members the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule. Our hybrid model is defined as 3 days in office work required per week, while giving team members the option to work remotely 2 days per week, or as assigned by their team leader.

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities

• Service Delivery & Issue Management
• Manage and direct daily Client Service activities, ensuring appropriate coverage and consistent service levels.
• Prioritize work and adjust resources in response to fluctuating volumes, market activity, and seasonal demands.
• Step in during high-volume or high-stress periods to maintain service continuity and team stability.
• Serve as the primary owner for complex, escalated, or non-routine service issues involving advisors, clients, internal teams, or custodial partners.
• Drive issue resolution through effective coordination, sound judgment, and a unified, professional approach.
• Identify recurring issues and partner with stakeholders to address root causes and improve outcomes.
• Retain a limited CSA workload to maintain direct client engagement and provide hands-on support for the team.
• Team Leadership & People Management
• Lead, develop, and unify a geographically dispersed Client Service team through clear expectations, accountability, and engagement.
• Coach team members to deliver high-quality, high-touch service and support their professional growth.
• Provide regular feedback and performance coaching to achieve departmental and firm-wide goals.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and develop Client Service team members.
• Address performance and conduct matters in accordance with firm policy.
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture and support employee engagement initiatives.
• Run team meetings to align priorities and reinforce standards.
• Service Operations & Collaboration
• Monitor service metrics and trends to assess workload, capacity, and coverage needs.
• Ensure consistent service delivery through standardized service expectations and best practices.
• Proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and resource constraints.
• Pursue efficiencies through effective use of tools, processes, and documentation.
• Leverage CRM and service tools to improve workflow management, visibility, and accountability.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with advisory teams and advisory leadership.
• Advocate for Client Service while balancing advisor expectations, client experience, and firm priorities.
• Partner closely with Operations, Platform, Compliance, and other internal teams to support service delivery and change management.
• Coordinate with leadership to anticipate challenges and define actionable solutions.
• Lead communication and represent Client Service in firm initiatives, projects, and cross-functional efforts.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in the financial services industry, including a minimum of three years in the RIA industry.
• 2+ years of experience supervising or managing service-oriented or operational teams preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and the trust of colleagues.
• Proven ability to independently resolve complex or escalated service issues.
• Strong coaching and people leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop team members.
• Commitment to delivering an outstanding advisor and client service experience.
• Excellent communication, active listening, organizational, and relationship-management skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels and work well with diverse personalities.
• Self-starter with a strong bias for action and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and consistent follow-through.
• Extensive knowledge of industry back-office practices and custodial platforms, including Charles Schwab and Fidelity.
• Fluency with service and workflow tools such as CRM systems (Salesforce), Orion, Pontera, and related platforms.

This position is an exempt position. The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $80,000-$90,000 base salary compensation range. Actual base pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant’s skill set. The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package. Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k).

Company Overview

Focus Partners is an organization of wealth, asset, and business management resources that brings strength, innovation, and partnership to client relationships. Through a comprehensive range of services, Focus Partners supports clients at every stage of life, helping them manage their financial future. Focus Partners uses research-backed investment strategies to create custom-built portfolios and delivers personalized wealth planning solutions to clients in all 50 states. Focus Partners is part of Focus, a leading financial services firm comprised of wealth management, family office, and business management services. To learn more about Focus, visitfocuspartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client-first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Focus is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment decisions on the employee or candidate’s skillset, and without regard to an employee or candidate’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state and/or federal law. Focus complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

State-Based Information

The following language is for US based roles only

For California Applicants

Information on your California privacy rights can be found here

For Indiana Applicants

It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component.

For Maryland Applicants

I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAP OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100.

For Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

For Montana Applicants

If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901.

For Rhode Island Applicants

Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation. The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.