Associate, Client Operations

About this role

Team Overview

BlackRock SMA Solutions helps clients customize portfolios for unique tax, values-alignment, or investment exposures across direct indexing, fixed income, active equity, and multi-asset. We deliver world-class service to all of our clients, from wealth advisors to family offices to endowments and foundations.

About This Role

We are looking for a highly organized and enthusiastic Client Operations Associate to support our Client Operations team.  

As a Client Operations Associate, you will provide assistance to the broader Client Operations team in handling daily activities, including account onboarding, monitoring the group’s email inbox to either assign the request to the appropriate group within Aperio or directly respond to requests, and varied administrative functions. You will also act as a liaison between the client operations team and various Aperio functions including business development, trading, portfolio management, operations, billing, and performance reporting. 

The ideal candidate must enjoy working with clients, have exceptional organizational skills, have an interest in the financial markets, and be capable of prioritizing multiple tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• As assigned, facilitate the onboarding of new accounts by working closely with the intermediary, custodian, and internal teams (Business Development, Portfolio Management, Investment Operations, etc.) to ensure a timely account opening process with proven knowledge and understanding of related compliance and operational areas.

• As assigned, support the onboarding of new intermediaries and platforms, account transitions including custodian changes, name changes, tax id changes, account splits/consolidations, etc. and contract reviews.

• Communicate with custodians, intermediaries, consultants, and brokers to resolve issues and respond to various requests in a timely and professional manner.

• You will also act as a liaison between the Client Operations team and various Aperio functions including Business Development, Trading, Portfolio Management, Operations, Billing, Performance and Process Engineering.

• Research and respond to client inquiries in a timely manner; escalate issues as appropriate.

• Oversee client interactions — act as a conduit between the client and the rest of Aperio; introduce technology and services to clients as appropriate.

• Collaborate with fellow team members to provide exceptional service for existing and prospective clients.

• Generate New Account Paperwork including the set-up of new contacts for online access to the Client Portal.

• Effectively document and maintain/evolve processes and participate in projects to enhance the client experience, streamline operations, automate processes, reduce errors, and support the firm’s growth.

• QA (quality assurance) yours and the work of teammates to minimize potential errors.

• Generate standardized client reports (e.g., inflow/outflow reports).

• Update addresses and contact information in Salesforce, as needed.

• Work to become a subject-matter expert on a wide range of client issues and internal processes, as they relate to Client Operations processes.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Direct Reports

No. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business or related field preferred, or high school diploma with the equivalent combination of experience.

• Minimum 3+ years’ minimum experience in a client service or operational role.

• High level of attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to balance multiple assignments and meet deadline.

• Ability and desire to work in a fast-paced growing environment that can be unstructured; a proven ability to handle pressure, multi-task and prioritize work at all times.  

• The ability to work independently under minimal supervision, with exceptional problem-solving proficiency.

• Background in or understanding of financial markets including knowledge of current market trends and competitive landscape.

• A desire to understand Aperio' s structure and identify opportunities to utilize Aperio resources to meet client needs.

• Demonstrate a strong work ethic and a willingness to do what it takes solve complex problems and/or resolve complex client requests.

• Strong organizational skills to manage data, projects, and processes.

• The ability to use considerable tact and discretion when dealing with client or sensitive data.

• Exceptional inte