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…