Business Development Manager
Position Summary
The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving firm growth through advisor recruitment, strategic partnerships, business development initiatives, advisor onboarding, and ongoing relationship management. This role serves as a key liaison between prospective advisors, referral partners, broker-dealers, insurance carriers, and internal departments to support the expansion of the firm while ensuring a seamless transition and integration experience for new advisors and teams.
The Business Development Manager executes growth strategies designed to attract high-quality advisors, strengthen strategic partnerships, expand market presence, and support revenue growth. This individual combines business development expertise with a strong understanding of advisor onboarding, licensing, registration, contracting, compensation structures, and operational processes within the financial services industry.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Growth Strategy
- Execute comprehensive business development plans aligned with firm growth objectives.
- Help to identify and connect with new markets, advisor segments, acquisition opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to establish growth goals, revenue projections, and business development initiatives.
- Participate in strategy discussions and maintain accountability toward business development objectives.
- Identify opportunities to expand services and strengthen advisor engagement within the organization.
- Represent the firm at conferences, industry events, networking functions, and community activities.
Advisor Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
- Work with Business Development team’s recruiting efforts to attract experienced financial advisors and advisory teams.
- Support the development of relationships with prospective advisors through networking, referrals, industry associations, and recruiting channels.
- Manage the advisor recruitment lifecycle, including sourcing, interviewing, due diligence, evaluation, and offer coordination.
- Communicate the firm's value proposition, culture, service model, and growth opportunities to prospective advisors.
- Coordinate advisor transition plans and ensure successful onboarding experiences.
- Build and maintain relationships with broker-dealers, custodians, recruiters, and industry partners.
- Track recruiting metrics and provide regular updates to management.
Advisor Onboarding & Transition Management
- Coordinate comprehensive onboarding for newly affiliated advisors and support staff.
- Facilitate licensing, registration, contracting, appointment, and operational setup activities.
- Serve as the primary coordinator among advisors, broker-dealers, custodians, insurance carriers, and internal departments during transitions.
- Develop onboarding plans, timelines, and checklists to ensure efficient implementation.
- Coordinate technology setup, account access, training, and operational integrations.
- Conduct onboarding orientation sessions and provide ongoing transition support.
- Monitor onboarding progress and ensure all regulatory and operational requirements are completed before conducting business.
Licensing, Registration & Contracting Support
- Maintain a working knowledge of securities licensing, registration, and insurance contracting requirements.
- Assist advisors with licensing and registration processes, including coordination with broker-dealer registration departments.
- Support insurance and annuity carrier contracting and appointment processes.
- Monitor licensing, appointment, and registration status during advisor transitions.
- Coordinate hierarchy changes, carrier appointments, and advisor affiliation updates.
- Assist with regulatory requirements related to advisor onboarding and business expansion initiatives.
Marketing & Brand Development
- Partner with marketing personnel to support advisor recruiting and business development initiatives.
- Assist in the development of recruiting materials, presentations, and promotional campaigns.
- Support the firm's visibility through speaking engagements, sponsorships, and community involvement.
- Ensure consistent messaging regarding the firm's culture, capabilities, and value proposition.
Client & Advisor Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with advisors, prospective advisors, strategic partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Support advisors in business development opportunities and prospect engagement activities.
- Monitor advisor satisfaction and identify opportunities to improve the advisor experience.
- Serve as a trusted resource throughout advisor recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing affiliation.
- Facilitate communication between advisors and internal departments to ensure exceptional service delivery.
Data Management, Reporting & Process Improvement
- Utilize CRM and business development systems to manage recruiting pipelines, advisor prospects, and strategic partnerships.
- Track key performance indicators related to recruiting, onboarding, and business development.
- Generate reports for leadership regarding pipeline activity, conversion rates, advisor transitions, and growth initiatives.
- Develop and maintain business development procedures, workflows, and documentation.
- Identify opportunities to improve recruiting, onboarding, and advisor support processes.
- Support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or related field preferred.
- 5–8 years of experience in business development, advisor recruiting, financial services operations, or relationship management.
- Strong understanding of the independent financial advisor marketplace.
- Experience working with financial advisors, broker-dealers, RIAs, insurance agencies, or OSJ organizations.
- Strong networking, relationship-building, and communication skills.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Proficiency with CRM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and business reporting tools.
Preferred
- Experience with advisor transitions, onboarding, licensing, registration, or contracting processes.
- Working knowledge of FINRA, SEC, and state insurance regulations.
- Series 7, 66, insurance licenses, CFP®, or related industry credentials preferred.
- Experience with advisor compensation structures and business development analytics.
- Experience within an OSJ, broker-dealer, RIA, or insurance marketing organization.
Core Competencies
- Business Development & Growth Mindset
- Advisor Recruitment & Relationship Management
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Partnership Development
- Communication & Influence
- Project Management
- Regulatory Awareness
- Process Improvement
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Professionalism & Confidentiality
- Organization & Prioritization
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
Success Measures
- Achievement of advisor recruiting and growth objectives.
- Successful onboarding and transition of new advisors and teams.
- Growth in strategic partnerships and referral relationships.
- Advisor satisfaction and retention.
- Increased business development pipeline activity and conversion rates.
- Timely completion of onboarding, licensing, and contracting activities.
- Effective collaboration across departments and external partners.
- Continuous improvement of recruiting, onboarding, and business development processes.
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Work Environment: Hybrid or in-office; occasional travel required for advisor recruiting, conferences, partner meetings, and industry events.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Prescription drug insurance
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Carmel, IN 46032
