Senior Client Services Associate (Intermediary Distribution)

William Blair; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) with profit sharing

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

William Blair seeks a Senior Client Services Associate to lead client relationship management and business development for the Intermediary team. You will engage clients and prospects, tailor reports, and manage CRM in Salesforce, ensuring timely, accurate responses.

The role requires 5–7 years in asset management, SIE, Series 7/66 (or 63/65) licenses, and strong organizational skills to handle high-profile projects. Hybrid work is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Finance, Accounting, or Business preferred.
• Progress toward MBA, CFA, or advanced degree preferred.
• 5–7 years of experience in asset management or comparable industry required.
• SIE, Series 7 and Series 66 (or Series 63 and Series 65) licenses required or must be obtained within 90 days.
• Deep understanding of the investment business and intermediary distribution.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail; able to prioritize and manage high-profile projects under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead client and prospect engagement; tailor reports for audiences to showcase capabilities.
• Drive RFPs and presentations; tailor responses and competitive analyses.
• Maintain client data in Salesforce and promote CRM best practices.
• Manage day-to-day communications with clients and prospects with urgency.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with investment professionals, marketing, and other groups.
• Contribute to sales and marketing strategy to position offerings.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of all firm products and services.
• Provide mentorship to junior staff on complex transactions.
• Additional responsibilities as requested.

Skills

Client relationship management

Sales support

CRM (Salesforce)

Licenses: SIE

Licenses: Series 7/66

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business

MBA/CFA or advanced degree desired

Tools

SIE license

Series 7/66

Series 63/65

Job description

Solutions for Today’s Challenges. Vision for Tomorrow’s Opportunities.

Join William Blair, the Premier Global Partnership.

We’re seeking a highly motivated Senior Client Services Associate to take a lead role in supporting the Intermediary team’s client relationship management and business development efforts, with a focus on complex client needs and high-priority initiatives. Support client relationship goals by providing excellent customer service in all interactions with clients and prospects, including professionalism in communication, timely response to inquiries, and proactive follow-up and follow-through. Mentor junior staff and serve as a subject matter resource for complicated or atypical requests.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Lead client and prospect engagement - Interact directly with clients and prospects to address complex inquiries; customize and produce reports tailored to specific audiences to best highlight the firm’s investment capabilities and offerings.
• Drive the RFP and presentation process - Take ownership of tailoring RFP responses, preparing custom presentation materials, and developing competitive analysis and background information for high-profile client and prospect meetings.
• Manage CRM and client data integrity - Maintain comprehensive and accurate electronic records of client/prospect data in Salesforce; serve as a resource for CRM best practices and data standards within the team.
• Oversee day-to-day communications - Manage and prioritize incoming requests for information from clients and prospects, ensuring timely, accurate, and audience-appropriate responses with a sense of urgency.
• Partner cross-functionally - Maintain strong working relationships and coordinate with internal investment professionals, Portfolio Specialists, marketing support teams, and other internal groups to ensure seamless delivery against client and prospect needs.
• Contribute to sales and marketing strategy - Proactively provide input into the development of marketing campaigns and contribute sales ideas to better position investment capabilities, enhance the firm’s brand, and educate external audiences about offerings.
• Maintain deep product expertise - Maintain extensive knowledge and records of all firm products and services, including investment objectives, product differentiators, fee schedules, and competitive positioning. Serve as a go-to resource for junior team members on product and platform knowledge.
• Mentor and support junior staff - Serve as a resource and mentor to junior associates on complicated transactions, escalated inquiries, and workflow processes.
• Additional responsibilities as requested.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Finance, Accounting, or Business preferred.
• Progress toward MBA, CFA, or advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience in asset management or comparable industry (investment consulting, plan sponsor, intermediary distribution, etc.) required.
• SIE, Series 7 and Series 66 (or Series 63 and Series 65) licenses required or must be obtained within 90 days of start date.
• Deep understanding of the investment business, intermediary distribution landscape, and the firm’s products and services.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail; able to prioritize and manage high-profile projects under tight deadlines.

#LI-HK1

#hybrid

A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range at time of posting is below. Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits. Actual base salary within the specified range is based on several factors, including but not limited to applicant’s skills, prior relevant experience, specific degrees and certifications, job responsibilities, market considerations and, if applicable, the location of the position.

This role is eligible for either a discretionary annual bonus (based on company, business unit and individual performance) and/or commission-based incentives.

Our featured benefit offerings include medical, dental and vision coverage, employer paid short & long-term disability and life insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, paid time off, Maven family & fertility benefit, parental leave (including adoption, surrogacy, and foster placement), as well as other voluntary benefits.

Salary Range

$85,000-$123,500 USD

About Our Firm

William Blair strives to attract qualified candidates who specialize in investment banking, investment management, private wealth management, and other strategic resource groups. We are committed to empowering our colleagues to deliver client success and engage in our communities. Our firm has delivered trusted advice for nine decades, continuing to deepen our expertise and relationships across asset classes and markets throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet clients’ evolving needs amid dynamic market conditions and varying industries. What sets us apart is that we are an independent partnership, with colleagues who have unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We empower our people to bring their best thinking so we can deliver the tailored, thoughtful work and problem-solving abilities that our clients expect. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting williamblair.com.

William Blair is an equal opportunity employer. It complies with all laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in employment practice because of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from the military service or on the basis of a physical or mental disability that is unrelated to the employee's ability to perform the duties of the job applied for. EOE m/f/d/v

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