Job Summary

The Associate Director of Business Development plays a key role in supporting and executing Bridgeport’s acquisition growth strategy within the the Fee Only RIA marketplace . Reporting to the SVP of Business Development (BridgePort), this individual is responsible for supporting the sourcing, screening, and managing M&A opportunities while helping lead the seamless integration of acquired RIAs. The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven, highly organized professional with a deep understanding of the financial services landscape and a passion for strategic growth.

Key Deliverables and Responsibilities

• Identify and develop potential acquisition leads in the Fee Only RIA and marketplace through proactive outreach, referrals, and industry networking

• Evaluate prospective RIAs by conducting professional screening and initial due diligence to assess alignment with BridgePort’s strategic goals

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers, industry influencers, and financial professionals to support long-term growth opportunities

• Represent Bridgeport at industry conferences and events to promote brand visibility and develop acquisition pipelines

• Host Home Office Visits for acquisition prospects to provide an exceptional, informative and relationship experience

• Drive enterprise alignment with internal functions and acquired RIAs to support a smooth, coordinated integration and an effective onboarding strategy

• Serve as a liaison between acquisitions, conversion teams, and key departments to ensure alignment and timely resolution of integration needs

• Support the daily execution of the BridgePort business development strategy and contribute to plans that drive growth, revenue, and market expansion

• Monitor and share industry trends, competitive activity, and relevant market intel with internal stakeholders

• Maintain accurate acquisition records in CRM, including notes, documentation, lead tracking, and follow-up actions

• Prepare reports and updates for leadership related to pipeline status, integration milestones, and strategic insights

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate would possess an intermediate level of experience, typically around 5 or more years, with Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), corporate development, recruiting, and/or business strategy within the retail RIA or wealth management business channels.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 plus incentive compensation. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate based on the ideal candidate’s qualifications, the company’s operational needs, and other factors permitted by law. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, education, performance, internal equity, and geographic location.

Why Cambridge? Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. We offer paid time off, paid holidays and floating holidays, medical, dental, and vision coverage, short- and long-term disability, and company-paid life insurance. Associates also enjoy volunteer time off, wellness incentives, and additional benefits that support you both personally and professionally.

You can find more details about our comprehensive benefits package here. 

Company Overview: At Cambridge, our purpose is simple: to make a difference in the lives of our financial advisors, their clients, and our associates. Founded in 1981, we have nearly 45 years of experience supporting independent financial advisors with industry-leading tools, compliance, and transition services. Guided by our core values—integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness—we put financial advisors first in every decision we make.

Cambridge is an internally controlled, growth-focused independent broker-dealer with $254 billion in assets under advisement and $1.97 billion in annual revenues. We rank among the largest and fastest-growing firms in the industry, providing financial advisors with the flexibility, resources, and support to thrive. With home offices in Fairfield, Iowa, and Phoenix, Arizona, and a nationwide reach, our 900 associates maintain a 4:1 advisor-to-associate ratio to ensure personalized service.

Our community of over 4,000 producing financial advisors includes diverse business models—RIA, corporate RIA, hybrid, fee-only, and brokerage—and offers a broad selection of investment solutions with no proprietary products. At Cambridge, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and empowering workplace, where 60%