Business Development Specialist (BDS)
Position Summary
The Business Development Specialist (BDS) is responsible for creating qualified opportunities for an advisory team by developing relationships, generating interest, identifying prospective clients, and scheduling meetings.
This role plays an important part in building a repeatable growth process that consistently introduces qualified individuals and families to the firm's services.
The BDS is not responsible for providing financial advice, preparing financial plans, or managing client relationships. Instead, this individual serves as the front end of the firm's growth process and helps advisors focus their time on serving existing and prospective clients.
This position is ideal for an individual who enjoys networking, relationship building, business development, identifying opportunities, and helping people connect with solutions that can improve their financial lives.
Reporting Structure
Reports To:
Director of Sales & Marketing
Works Closely With:
- Private Wealth Advisors
- Associate Private Wealth Advisors
- Director of Operations
- Financial Planning Team
- Marketing Team
Primary Responsibilities
Business Development
- Generate qualified opportunities for the advisory team.
- Conduct outreach using established prospecting systems and processes.
- Build and maintain prospect lists.
- Utilize technology and business development tools to support outreach.
- Conduct prospecting activities focused on:
- Demographic targeting
- Company targeting
- Centers of Influence (COIs)
- Networking opportunities
- Strategic referral initiatives
Appointment Generation
- Schedule introductory meetings for advisors.
- Assist in qualifying prospective clients prior to meetings.
- Increase the number of qualified prospective households entering the firm's process.
- Coordinate scheduling and follow-up activities.
- Maintain accurate records of outreach activities and pipeline opportunities.
Growth Initiatives
- Partner with the Director of Sales & Marketing to refine and improve business development processes.
- Provide feedback on messaging, campaigns, and prospecting strategies.
- Assist with testing new prospect acquisition strategies.
- Support efforts to create a scalable and repeatable business development process.
Team Contribution
- Participate in team meetings.
- Contribute ideas that support growth and operational excellence.
- Demonstrate the firm's core values.
- Collaborate effectively with team members across departments.
- Support a positive, collaborative, and high-performance culture.
Success Measures
Success in this role may be measured through:
Business Development Activity
- Outreach activity
- Conversations generated
- Qualified introductory meetings generated
- Advisor meetings generated
Business Outcomes
- New target-market households introduced to the firm
- Financial planning engagements generated
- New clients acquired
- Net new advisory assets influenced
- Recurring revenue growth supported
Required Characteristics
The ideal candidate:
- Is highly motivated and self-directed.
- Enjoys talking with people and building relationships.
- Is comfortable initiating conversations.
- Is organized and process-oriented.
- Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Is resilient and persistent.
- Is coachable and open to feedback.
- Demonstrates integrity and professionalism.
- Maintains a positive attitude.
- Thrives in a growth-oriented environment.
Preferred Experience
Relevant experience may include:
- Business Development
- Sales Development
- Lead Generation
- Recruiting
- Relationship Management
- Customer Success
- Financial Services
- Insurance
- Banking
- Professional Services
- Business-to-Business Sales
Financial services experience is helpful but not required.
Core Values
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following qualities:
Humble
- Puts the team ahead of self.
- Shares credit.
- Embraces feedback.
- Communicates openly and constructively.
Hungry
- Driven to improve.
- Takes initiative.
- Looks for opportunities to contribute.
Smart
- Demonstrates emotional intelligence.
- Builds strong relationships.
- Communicates effectively.
Accountable
- Takes ownership.
- Follows through on commitments.
- Solves problems.
- Takes responsibility for results.
Compensation
Compensation consists of:
- Base salary
- Qualified introductory meeting bonuses
- Advisor meeting bonuses
- Quarterly performance bonuses
- Annual team bonus
The compensation structure is designed to provide:
- Stable income
- Performance-based incentives
- Meaningful earning potential based on contribution and results
Detailed compensation information will be discussed during the interview process.
Career Path Opportunities
The firm is committed to supporting professional growth and development.
Potential career progression may include:
Business Development Specialist
Licensed Business Development Specialist
Associate Private Wealth Advisor
Private Wealth Advisor
Qualified team members may receive support in pursuing additional education, licensing, certifications, and professional development opportunities.
About the Opportunity
This is an opportunity for someone who wants to play an active role in building and growing a financial advisory business.
The ideal candidate will help develop relationships, create qualified opportunities, and expand the number of individuals and families the firm serves.
If you enjoy helping people, building relationships, creating opportunities, and contributing to a growing team, this role may be a strong fit.
