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About the Role

Ariel Investments is seeking a Business Development Associate to support senior Distribution leaders by providing client-facing and relationship management support. The Associate will ensure a high-quality client experience throughout the entire relationship lifecycle, from initial engagement to retention. This role involves managing client priorities, preparing for meetings, coordinating follow-up, and addressing client needs efficiently. The Associate will also act as a liaison between various internal teams to coordinate client deliverables and resolve requests.

Responsibilities

Partner with senior Distribution and relationship leaders in supporting a portfolio of client and prospective client relationships, coordinating priorities, client activity, and strategic relationship management initiatives.
Participate actively in client and prospect meetings alongside senior Distribution leaders and, when appropriate, as a representative of the firm when senior leaders are unavailable.
Develop and maintain the knowledge necessary to clearly articulate Ariel’s investment philosophy, strategies, products, and relevant investment opportunities and address client questions effectively.
Serve as a client-facing relationship resource, developing trusted relationships with clients and prospects, responding to inquiries, facilitating requests, coordinating follow-up, and ensuring clients receive timely, accurate, and thoughtful support.
Support preparation for client and prospect meetings, including developing presentation materials and briefing documents, coordinating internal inputs, identifying outstanding items, and ensuring appropriate follow-up after meetings.
Develop a strong understanding of assigned clients, including their investment objectives, organizational structure, key contacts, service expectations, preferences, relationship history, and strategic priorities.
Coordinate client onboarding and implementation activities across Distribution, Operations, Legal, Compliance, Investment teams, custodians, and other internal and external partners to support a seamless transition from mandate award through ongoing relationship management.
Manage and track client deliverables and relationship activity, including recurring and ad hoc reporting, requests for information, due diligence materials, account documentation, presentations, and other client communications.
Partner across Ariel’s investment and business functions to address client needs, communicate priorities, identify dependencies, and ensure commitments are completed accurately and within established timelines.
Maintain accurate and current client information and relationship intelligence within CRM and other internal systems, including key contacts, meeting notes, client preferences, opportunities, outstanding requests, and significant relationship developments.
Identify, anticipate, and escalate client service issues or relationship risks, partnering with senior Distribution leaders and internal stakeholders to develop solutions, facilitate timely resolution, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen Ariel’s overall client experience and Distribution capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; concentration in Business, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or a related discipline preferred.
3+ years of relevant experience in asset management, investment management, financial services, institutional client service, relationship management, sales support, or a comparable client-facing environment.
Demonstrated ability to build credibility and professional relationships with clients, senior executives, investment professionals, and cross-functional partners.
Strong interest in and understanding of investment management, with the ability and willingness to develop deep knowledge of Ariel’s investment philosophy, strategies, products, and public and private market offerings.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and appropriately with both internal and external audiences.
Exceptional organization, project management, and follow-through skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple client requests, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, particularly when preparing client-facing materials, communications, reporting, and documentation.
Strong judgment and discretion when handling confidential client, investment, and firm information.
Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to anticipate needs, identify issues, and move work forward with appropriate independence.
Appropriate FINRA registrations required or must be obtained within the firm's designated timeframe following hire, including Series 7 and Series 63 and/or Series 66, as applicable.
Additional licensing or registration may be required based on product coverage and responsibilities, including private market offerings.

Skills

Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Outlook
CRM platforms
Investment management systems
Client reporting systems

Location

Chicago
New York City

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

3+ years of relevant experience

Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Salary/Compensations

$90,000 - $125,000 + Bonus

Benefits

Coverage for same-sex partner (domestic or spouse)
Coverage for children (natural born, step, adopted or foster)
Fully paid medical insurance that covers fertility treatments, gender affirmation
Employer contributions to a Health Savings Account
Maternity leave at 100% pay (12 weeks)
Paid Parental Leave (up to 12 weeks depending on tenure)
Ariel-sponsored educational, training, and recreational activities

About the Company

Ariel Investments is a premier, boutique, asset management firm focused on driving exceptional investment returns through diverse perspectives.
As value investors, they employ a deliberate and unconventional thinking process with an independent, patient investing approach.
The firm upholds its fiduciary responsibility to every shareholder.
Ariel believes teamwork yields results, cultivating leaders who are curious, focused, and disciplined.
They are nimble, efficient, fanatically driven, and intentional, valuing every contribution to the firm's success.
Ariel seeks subject matter experts who are unapologetically themselves and encourages employees to reach their full potential.
After four decades of active investing, Ariel remains committed to its clients, teammates, and community, striving to be best-in-class investors and pioneers for those entrusting them with their financial future.

Equal Opportunity

Ariel celebrates diversity and practices inclusion.
As an equal opportunity employer, employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, parental status (including pregnancy), disability, perceived disability, veteran status, status of military discharge, or any other basis under federal, state, or local law.
Ariel prohibits discrimination against an applicant or employee because of their actual or perceived protected characteristic(s).
The firm is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing a diverse group of talented applicants and providing a workplace free from discrimination and/or harassment.
Equal employment opportunity applies to all employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, and termination.
The firm seeks to uphold an inclusive culture where diversity is recognized and valued.