Strategic Relationships Business Development Consultant in Slough

About the Company

With over £21 billion in assets under management (AUM) and a team of more than 300 professionals, W1M specialises in working with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, charities, and institutions. The firm offers an extensive range of services, including cross-border advisory and planning expertise, institutional-quality investment management, and comprehensive global tax and consolidated portfolio reporting, designed to meet the evolving complexities of wealth and investment management, including addressing international and intergenerational needs. Beyond its direct client relationships, W1M also maintains a longstanding partnership with Independent Financial Advisers, providing access to its market-leading investment solutions.

Key objectives

The primary objective of this role is to drive business development and strengthen strategic relationships of the firm by promoting W1M’s diverse range of investment solutions to institutional clients. These solutions span multi-asset strategies, core building blocks, regional strategies and segregated mandates to the institutional asset allocators which include IFA Aggregators, Centralised Investment Propositions (CIPs), Discretionary Fund Managers (DFMs), Wealth Managers (WMs), and Family Offices. This is a dynamic role that spans the full spectrum of relationship management and sales support activities, aimed at generating interest in W1M’s investment solutions. It demands a unique combination of commercial acumen, investment knowledge, strong organizational and communication skills to effectively convey the W1M proposition, manage the sales process and drive asset growth especially as part of a small team.

Key accountabilities

• Business Development
  • Proactively identify new leads from the defined institutional market where W1M solutions are appropriate.
  • Leverage the existing W1M contacts to generate new leads and expand the targeted client base.
  • Identify gaps in the market where W1M solutions could be appropriately positioned.
  • Establish best route to get fund flows by client type – ratings, wealth list, models, MPS.
  • Develop a good understanding of competitor funds by firms for a more targeted approach to getting funds on recommended list and/or rated leading to sales.
  • Collaborate with the institutional sales and investment team to raise assets for the firm through fund sales and segregated mandates.
  • Develop a deep understanding of the W1M’s investment proposition, strategy and funds to effectively communicate to clients and prospective clients.
  • Create engaging and insightful fund highlights and thought leadership content to attract interest and differentiate W1M’s offerings.
  • Manage and complete questionnaires, RFPs and database submissions for new business opportunities.
• Relationship Management
  • Maintain regular contact with key clients and prospects, to help protect assets and deepen share of wallet.
  • Communicate investment views and ideas effectively through timely fund updates and global insights to ensure clients and prospects have a clear understanding of product, performance and positioning.
  • Respond promptly and accurately to client queries across both investment and administrative aspects, delivering a seamless and professional client experience.
  • Ensure the CRM system – Dynamo, is kept updated, accurate and used effectively to track interactions, manage opportunities, and support targeted sales.
  • Coordinating and completing due diligence questionnaires, and other documentation to support retention of assets and attract new flows.
• Sales and Marketing Support
  • Plan, coordinate, and actively participate in webinars, investment conferences, and targeted sales events to engage institutional clients and showcase W1M’s investment capabilities.
  • Collaborate with the marketing team to update and enhance fund presentations and other marketing collateral, to ensure it is accurate, interesting and differentiated.
  • Work closely with the investment team and marketing to write narratives and promote key initiatives, including podcasts, awards, thought leadership pieces, and other content designed to best promote W1M’s investment proposition.
• Other tasks
  • Contribute to Fund Board and other board reports, to showcase the team’s AUM, flows, pipeline, successes and potential challenges.
  • Contribute to building a centralized knowledge hub for W1M funds, including detailed information on strategies, share classes, platforms, distribution regulations, operational requirements amongst other aspects of fund distribution.
  • Work closely with Fund Operations to ensure appropriate fund share classes included on relevant platforms, accurately and appropriately to ensure efficient and smooth execution.
  • Collaborate effectively with the wider business including Fund Operations, Marketing, and Compliance, to support fund sales initiatives and broader business development objectives.
  • Participate in ad hoc projects and strategic initiatives as required, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to supporting business priorities.

Background/experience and competencies required

• Ideally 5 years’ experience with a good understanding of investment management, strategies and investment vehicles.
• Prior knowledge of industry dynamics in fund management.
• Proven background in institutional sales within asset management (ideal).
• Enjoy working in a small team and in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with institutional clients.
• Highly organised, methodical and detail-oriented.
• Ability to manage projects, solve problems, and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive mindset and willingness to go the extra mile.
• Ability to multi-task effectively, work under pressure and thrive in a growing business.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Creative and innovative approach to the sales process and client engagement.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on finding practical, client-centric solutions.
• A positive, professional demeanour with a ‘can do’ attitude.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 A’ Levels grade A-C or equivalent qualification.
• Ideally a graduate with a professional sales, finance or investment management qualification.

Conduct Risk – Mandatory

This role is subject to the Conduct Rules set by the FCA. You are required to familiarise yourself with, and comply with, the Conduct Rules and their successors and complete such ongoing training and competence requirements as required by the FCA and the Company from time to time. This includes passing an annual fitness and propriety assessment. These rules provide the standards under which W1M expects you to perform your role:

• You must act with integrity.
• You must act with due care, skill and diligence.
• You must be open and cooperative with the FCA and other regulators.
• You must pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly.
• You must observe proper standards of market conduct.
• You must act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers.
• You must act in compliance with the FCA’s Consumer Duty rules.

Equal Opportunity Statement

W1M is an equal opportunities employer and in accordance with the rules regarding discrimination in the Equality Act 2010, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.