Senior Client Advisor

About the Role

Bessemer Trust is a family office overseeing $250 billion in assets for 3,000 individuals and families of substantial wealth. The Senior Client Advisor develops and maintains client relationships through regular communication, account service coordination, and consultation with client advisors. This role oversees a team of client advisors and administrative personnel, leveraging internal and external experts to deliver services in Investment Management, Legacy Planning, Trust Administration, Income Tax, Personal Financial Planning, Estate Planning, Private Banking, and other financial services.

Responsibilities

Client Service

• Communicate regularly and proactively with clients, especially regarding investment or life events.
• Discuss investment performance and anticipate client questions arising from prevailing market and economic trends.
• Present estate, tax, and financial planning opportunities, explaining benefits and limitations of various approaches.
• Provide estate, financial planning, and tax recommendations based on consultation with Bessemer specialists.
• Consult with fiduciary counsel on trust and estate planning, will appointments, and revocable trusts.
• Lead client meetings, plan agendas, oversee production of meeting presentations and materials, coordinate follow-up with the account team, and document contact in Salesforce.
• Communicate with the client’s advisors to provide and obtain client information as needed.
• Articulate the "Bessemer Story" and history of the company to deepen the client’s understanding of the firm.
• Deliver Bessemer-quality service in a highly superior and ethical manner.

Investment Management

• Determine client risk tolerance, investment objectives, target asset allocation, and short- and long-term cash requirements.
• Create, implement, manage, and monitor clients’ investment plans.
• Educate clients on general trends and the status of capital markets, behavioral risks, and investment theory.
• Interpret investment policy as it applies to different types of accounts.
• Consult with clients on asset allocation, investment policy, and performance.
• Monitor asset allocation and investment performance, and oversee preparation of model asset allocation.
• Oversee investment transition for new clients.
• Review and manage concentrated positions and their relative performance.
• Discuss and develop hedging and diversification strategies with specialists.
• Present and discuss alternative investments.
• Approve fixed-income and equity trades.

Trust Administration

• Administer trust accounts in consultation with Fiduciary Counsel, Trust Administration, Tax Department, Investment Department, outside attorneys, CPAs, and report to the Compliance Department and Officers' Committee as required.
• Develop and maintain relationships with co-trustees.
• Review discretionary requests.

Business Development

• Solicit account additions, seek will appointments, and present fee-based services including income tax return preparation, payroll, and real estate tax payment services.
• Attend later-stage business development meetings to meet prospective clients, establish relationships, answer questions, and educate them about Bessemer’s service model.
• Develop referrals and leads from clients and intermediaries.
• Develop prospective client lists, prepare and present proposals, and follow through.

Supervision and Staff Development

• Supervise Client Advisory staff, delegate responsibilities, monitor and review performance.
• Delegate routine requests such as fund transfers, purchases and sales, research, and documentation.
• Assist in recruiting, hiring, and training Client Advisors and Associate Client Advisors.
• Provide career guidance and growth opportunities.
• Monitor and review team expenditures to control costs and ensure policy compliance.

Compliance

• Comply with all regulatory requirements, including preparing Annual Relationship Reviews and Trust Administrative Reviews.
• Respond promptly to all internal requests for information.

Continuing Education and Development

• Fulfill all professional continuing education requirements (law, accountancy, etc.).
• Stay up to date on economic and market trends by attending corporate communications meetings, internal training sessions, conducting independent research, and reviewing relevant legal, tax, financial planning, and trust and estates publications.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Law, Taxation).
• Twelve or more years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Series 7 and Series 63 required; CTFA, CFA, current law license, or CPA preferred.
• Well-developed and sophisticated client service orientation.
• Exceptional communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills.
• Acknowledged depth and breadth of technical knowledge and expertise.
• Effective problem diagnosis and solution aptitude.
• Goal-oriented with an established track record of building collaborative relationships.
• Ability to manage a team and foster collaboration.
• High degree of thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Entrepreneurial orientation and self-starter initiative.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word) and Salesforce.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus discretionary annual bonus for select positions.
• 401(k) plan with a generous annual profit-sharing contribution.
• Personalized development and career opportunities, including tuition reimbursement support.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with zero contributions for employee coverage.
• Employee assistance program (EAP) and wellness programs.
• Hybrid work environment: 60% in office, 40% remote for most positions.
• Paid time off and paid parental leave.
• Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Legal services and financial wellness plans at no cost to employees.