Client Service Associate
AllianceBernstein, Nashville, TN, United States
About AllianceBernstein
AllianceBernstein (AB) is a leading global investment-management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, financial intermediaries and private-wealth clients in major global markets. Our client base includes some of the world's leading institutions as well as private-wealth clients and retail investors. We maintain research, portfolio-management, wealth-management and client-service offices around the world, reflecting our global capabilities and the needs of our clients. Partnering closely with clients, our research and portfolio management teams collaborate across asset classes, regions, sectors, and investment strategies to spark new thinking and deliver superior outcomes. We foster an inclusive environment that offers opportunities for team members to continually learn, develop their skills and take on new challenges to progress in their careers.
Client Group Overview
The Client Group has a presence in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia, and is composed of five main areas:
Sales & Client Services works with financial intermediaries and institutions to offer diversified investment solutions that help clients build and preserve their wealth
Business Development is a conduit to the firm's investment teams and supports our clients and internal business partners through investment-platform and product content, messaging, competitive analysis and education
Product Strategy & Development designs, develops and manages the firm's global lineup of investment services and considers clients' evolving needs to identify new opportunities
Marketing promotes the firm and its services by creating, packaging and distributing content and messaging to engage diverse audiences through digital platforms and initiatives, strategic campaigns, and events
Business Transformation looks to evolve and scale our business, leveraging digital and data, to drive top-line growth and improve profitability
Job Summary
We are looking for a Client Service Associate within our Defined Contribution (DC) Business Development team. The DC Business Development team works to position and support AB's investment services in large and mega-sized workplace retirement plans (i.e., 401(k) plans) in the US. In this role, the candidate will work in tandem with a Senior Client Service Officer to provide support for all aspects of client servicing, including: reviewing and/or producing recurring client deliverables, providing project management support for new client implementations, producing client presentations and responding to ongoing client inquiries. All actions taken will always place the client's best interests first and foremost.
As one of the largest managers of custom target-date funds and a pioneer in retirement income solutions for institutional DC plans, the Client Service Associate plays an integral role in the implementation and ongoing service delivery process for the firm's Institutional Custom Solutions clients. The candidate will interact closely with many internal groups such as Sales & Client Services, Marketing, Legal and Compliance and the Multi-Asset Solutions investment team, as well as external business partners and clients.
In addition to assisting with all aspects of client servicing, the candidate will be expected to stay abreast of DC trends, legislation, communication, innovation and competitor activity. While experience in retirement plans is a plus, it is not a requirement. This person should have a strong interest in learning about this market and the impact it has on the American worker.
Job Description
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Preparing and/or reviewing client deliverables striving for 100% accuracy while meeting deadlines. This includes monthly and quarterly reports, fact sheets and ad-hoc data requests.
Developing a thorough understanding of AB's Defined Contribution implementation model and servicing policies, operational processes, drivers of client satisfaction and cost.
As directed by the Senior Client Service Officer, assisting in the implementation and subsequent service delivery for all defined contribution plan sponsor clients. Participating in weekly implementation meetings and monthly legal and investment priority meetings.
Preparing client presentation materials for use during periodic client servicing meetings.
Responding effectively to all client requests, coordinating appropriately with the Senior Client Service Officer and other members of AB's Defined Contribution management team.
Becoming familiar with all client deliverables managed by others within AB's Defined Contribution team such as quarterly performance reports and participant fact sheets.
Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to ensure plan implementations and changes are completed successfully. This includes:
Creating and maintaining implementation project plans and facilitating face-to-face meetings and conference calls to work through details
Sending communications regarding updates and milestones achieved
Proactively escalating problems as needed
Finding solutions to obstacles during the implementation process and conducting post-mortem meetings to understand what can be improved
Preparing for client and prospect meetings, as needed
Contributing during department meetings, including project meetings, business strategy discussions and operations resource planning
Job Qualifications & Key Attributes
The ideal candidate should have:
Bachelor's degree, with 1-3 years of experience in the financial services industry, ideally with some experience in defined contribution plans and/or a client service role.
The candidate should be highly service-oriented, with a proven ability to take timely actions needed to satisfy client needs.
Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to collaborate with internal teams across all levels of the organization, including: Investment Research, Operations, Fund Accounting, Legal, and Participant Communications.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
A self-starter able to work independently from the Senior Client Service Officer, effectively engage personnel within AB's Defined Contribution team and develop strong working relationships with Institutional Advisors and their support staff.
Good judgment, a strong sense of urgency, and initiative.
A desire to learn about the industry and AB's investment strategies.
Proven track record in meeting deadlines and a keen ability to multi-task and prioritize.
Deadline-driven, with the ability to reassess priorities.
Client-focused, highly organized and able to thrive in a culture of relentless ingenuity.
Adept at synthesizing data to arrive at a compelling conclusion/tell a story.
Collaborative and open to other viewpoints.
Required Skills
Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word and Excel
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical skills
Highly detail-oriented and organized
Nashville, TN, US
Nashville, TennesseePDN-9c8261a4-6e9a-4e5b-b823-185bcbda659b