Associate – Client Relations - Benelux

Location: London

Department: Client Group (Distribution)

Job Type: Permanent Full Time

Area of Interest: Client Relations

Reporting to: Jonathan Morillo

Background

AllianceBernstein (AB) is a global asset manager that is client-centric in its mission, servicing institutional, retail, and private clients. AB encourages diversity of thought across its business, combining insights, expertise, and innovation to deliver investment outcomes for its clients. AB offers investment management services across all the major asset classes; Equities, Fixed Income, Alternatives and Multi-Asset, totalling $839bn. It has global research coverage, a long-history of ESG integration, and an edge in AI and technology.

Summary of Role

The EMEA division of AB is comprised of client/distributor-focused Advisors & Associates as well as consultant-focused and marketing professionals dedicated to building and servicing our client base in EMEA. Within the division, Client Relations Associates work in a team environment, comprised of Advisors, Associates, Marketing and Assistants, to support client service and prospecting efforts for the region. The purpose of this role is to support the Client Relations Advisors in servicing clients in Benelux and Nordics as well as supporting business development efforts with clients and prospects. The successful candidate will be a motivated self-starter, eager to learn about the global asset management business and capable of working in a fast-paced environment. Candidates must be detail-oriented and possess strong analytical, communication, and organisational skills. Ability to work successfully in a team and to be supportive and inclusive. An undergraduate university degree is mandatory and prior professional work experience is desirable as well as the IMC. A strong work ethic and healthy ambition for responsibility is also essential.

Responsibilities

• The Associate coordinates all client activity and provides the central point of reference for internal and external contacts associated with a client relationship.
• Associates are in constant communication with clients and various internal departments to ensure client expectations are fully met—they are the advocates for the client.
• This includes building effective and trusted relationships first and foremost with the Advisors, but also with portfolio management, operations and client reporting, legal and compliance, among others.
• Associates are responsible for handling all client, consultant and prospect requests specific to the relationships to which they are assigned.
• This includes, but is not limited to:
• Acting as first point of contact for all client inquiries and collaborating with colleagues in other departments to successfully resolve them (including product/performance/market related queries; operational issues; legal amendments; billing queries etc).
• Ensuring each stage in the lifecycle of the relationship progresses as smoothly as possible (including introduction, negotiation of distribution agreements, on-boarding, go-live, ongoing support, client service).
• Partnering with Advisors to ensure strong client relationships built on trust as well as helping to build advocacy with prospects.
• Coordinating and overseeing client service and prospecting materials such as presentations for meetings, RFPs, ad hoc reports and general correspondence.
• Overseeing the new account take-on process including coordination of legal, portfolio management and operational items with the relevant internal departments.
• Providing post-sales support using fund updates, manager commentaries, charts, Excel files, etc.
• Collaborating with colleagues in other departments to successfully resolve client/distributor issues in a timely manner most notably Legal, Operations, Product Management and Marketing.
• Ensuring timely and accurate preparation and distribution of client reporting, client service and prospecting materials (presentations and correspondence).
• Generating monthly sales and any other recurring reports.
• Providing continual feedback to management on market conditions, distributor requests, product requests, competitor information and operational or other issues.
• Maintaining client files and CRM system/databases (Salesforce).
• Associates are encouraged to raise their personal profile across the firm. As appropriate, they will be asked to participate in department, regional and firmwide projects and initiatives. In areas where they exceed expectations, they will be given the opportunity to take on greater responsibility.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• An undergraduate university degree.
• IMC preferable/willing to attain.
• Interest in the financial services industry.
• 2 years+ prior relevant work experience.
• Ability to interact with senior management.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to handle assignments and projects with minimal direction.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Skills/Experience

• Self-motivation.
• Tenacity.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Self-reliance for regular/familiar tasks.
• Good communicator (verbal and written) with listening skills.
• Supportive and inclusive.
• Keenness to learn about AB’s investment strategies.
• Adherence to Associate teams’ processes.
• Strong time management and organisation skills.
• Driven by deadlines and able to reassess priorities.
• Uses own initiative to work out the best plan of action for non-familiar tasks and as their responsibilities broaden.
• Confidence to bring new ideas to Advisors, colleagues and leaders, and to develop/lead on team initiatives where appropriate.
• Open to feedback.
• Professional, courteous and flexible.

(NB This job description is not intended to establish a total definition of the position, but an outline of the responsibilities. Some additional tasks may be assigned.)