Business Development Associate at Cerity Partners in Louisville, KY

Business Development Associate Location: Chicago, IL Position Summary: The Business Development Associate role will support Cerity Partners business development efforts in Custodial Referral Programs, a key channel of organic growth for the firm. This role will support the regional Business Development Officers (BDOs) by serving as an in-office extension of the sales team, keeping opportunities moving forward while BDOs are active in the field. The Associate will be responsible for coordinating branch meetings, responding to initial inquiries from branch Financial Consultants (FCs), and managing outreach on stale or difficult-to-reach prospects to ensure pipeline momentum is maintained. They will also play a key role in the client onboarding experience by collecting and organizing proposal materials, monitoring the onboarding process alongside servicing advisors, and qualifying opportunities to facilitate introductory meetings between BDOs and FCs or prospective clients. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced financial services environment and is eager to grow within a client-facing business development function. Primary Responsibilities Act as extension of multiple BDOs in the region assigned, moving sales processes forward while BDOs are in the field or traveling within a region. Coordinate branch meetings. Field initial inquiries from FCs when BDO is unavailable. Manage reporting and outreach on stale or hard to reach opportunities. Assist in collecting and organizing information required to prepare client proposals. Track client onboarding process with servicing advisor and provide support where necessary. Ensure data integrity of all active opportunities in CRM and other core systems. Engage with FCs or Clients to qualify the opportunity and set-up initial meeting between the BDO and FC or Client Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Finance, Business, Economics or a related field. 1 – 4 years of work experience in a related field or role. Experience supporting or participating in business development or a sales process. Ability to work full time from a company location (3-4 days in office per week) and travel on a limited basis. Prior exposure to RIA, Broker Dealer or Custodial Platforms (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity, Pershing) a strong plus. Preferred Qualifications: Working towards or have secured Securities Industry Essential (SIE) Exam, Series 65 or other industry certifications Skills and Competencies: Demonstrate strong and effective communication, organizational and time management skills. Ability to work in a team based/collaborative environment. Proficiency in CRM platforms (Salesforce preferred) Proficiency with, or the interest and aptitude to become proficient in using firm-enabled AI tools. Must accept and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment. Adherence to all compliance policies & procedures. Demonstrate the Cerity Partners culture. Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Compensation Range: $75,000 - $85,000 Why Cerity Partners: Our people drive our success by working together to deliver exceptional service to our clients. Below is a glimpse of the key elements of our total rewards package: Health, dental, and vision insurance – day 1! 401(k) savings and investment plan options with 4% match Flexible PTO policy Parental Leave Financial assistance for advanced education and professional designations Opportunity to give back time to local communities Commuter benefits Cerity Partners is committed to providing an environment where all individuals can be their authentic selves. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who respects each individual and supports the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences of our colleagues. We are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Cerity Partners is committed to working with and providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities or special needs. For those needing accommodations, please reach out to careers@ceritypartners.com. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Additional Locations: Cincinnati, OH, New York City, NY, Denver, CO, Louisville, KY