Job title: Manager, Advisory Services
Reports to: Senior Manager and Consultant, Advisory Services
Location: Chicago
The Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI) is a nonprofit organization and the nation’s leading authority on financial services for underbanked consumers. CFSI’s programs are based on the belief that addressing the needs of underbanked consumers as a market will deliver broad, long-term change throughout the financial services landscape by creating mutual benefit for both the underbanked and the companies serving them. Therefore, CFSI works with leaders and innovators in the business, government and nonprofit sectors to transform the financial services landscape with programs focused on informing, connecting and investing – gathering enhanced intelligence, brokering and supporting productive industry relationships and fostering best-in-class products and strategies. CFSI seeks to improve the quality and quantity of financial products and services, better shape them to the needs and desires of underbanked customers, and expand effective savings and asset acquisition opportunities. The organization spurs innovation to bridge the gaps that remain in creating a path to prosperity for underbanked consumers by:
• Developing market intelligence;
• Assessing existing products, services and strategies;
• Promoting and facilitating marketplace partnerships;
• Influencing public policy;
• Investing in promising innovations and encouraging others to do so as well
CFSI is nearly eight years old, has experienced dramatic growth in the last two years and is poised for further growth in 2012. The organization currently has a staff of 22 plus interns and consultants, with offices in Chicago, New York and Washington, DC. CFSI is a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and highly collaborative environment. We are looking for people who share our values of innovation, passion, excellence, impact and directness. For more on CFSI, go to www.cfsinnovation.com.
Position Summary:
CFSI is hiring two Managers in Advisory Services who will be responsible for enhancing and managing the Innovation Roundtable and Underbanked Solutions Exchange, including strategic account management with participating companies. Each manager will be responsible for programming and participant communications for the peer networking forum for which they are responsible, and for identifying additional opportunities to deliver value to participants through CFSI’s other consulting services, research initiatives, and core strategic priorities. Each manager will therefore be responsible for maintaining a thorough understanding of CFSI’s various service offerings and strategic initiatives, as well as for active communication and coordination with other teams within CFSI.
Together these two managers will be responsible for developing an overall strategic account management strategy for use throughout CFSI. For more information on the Innovation Roundtable and Underbanked Solutions Exchange, see cfsinnovation.com/networking.
Responsibilities:
● Manage programming and relationships for the Innovators Roundtable and Underbanked Solutions Exchange
○ Develop agendas, content and materials for semi-annual, multi-day meetings, in consultation with other staff and with program participants
○ Actively lead and facilitate meetings and conference calls
○ Work closely with CFSI Events Manager to plan and deliver high quality meeting experiences within a given budget
○ Serve as the account lead and primary relationship manager for program participants
○ Develop and maintain knowledge of both current industry dynamics and cutting edge financial services innovation in order to create high-impact programming
○ Develop CFSI’s strategy for the Roundtable to enhance and refine the program and build the next generation of value-added services for members
○ Conduct market research and make recommendations for new and potentially different programming structures, possibly including additional Roundtable groups, and take responsibility for implementing new programming ideas
○ Manage the billing process for members and sponsors, including invoicing and collections; work closely with the Operations and Resource Development teams to coordinate invoicing and revenue collection
● Business development/sales
○ Build strong relationships with program participants and with new companies who might be good prospects for the Roundtable and Exchange
○ Develop and maintain a strong understanding of each member company’s business model in order to best identify opportunities to expand the relationship with CFSI or for partnership with other CFSI stakeholders
○ Engage in sales of new participants or sponsorships for Roundtable, Exchange, and Underbanked Financial Services Forum events
○ Identify new opportunities for CFSI to deliver value to participating organizations, for example through consulting engagements, and provide qualified sales leads to other CFSI teams and programs
○ Identify new companies that might benefit from CFSI’s services and other opportunities for partnership
○ Generate strategies to engage other key marketplace actors
● Develop and implement CFSI’s strategic account management strategy, in conjunction with the VP, Advisory Services and VP, Partnership and Resource Development
○ Develop and manage strategic account plans, obtaining commitment and support from other contributors across the organization
○ Develop account plans for key partner companies
○ Ensure effective communication and coordinated approach to client management within the account team and broadly throughout the organization
○ Lead refinement of customer relationship management tools, ensuring appropriate tools and systems are in place and widely used
● Minimum of 5 years professional experience in financial services and/or account management in an advisory services firm
● Strong customer focus and relationship savvy, with proven ability to build strong relationships with both clients and colleagues
● Entrepreneurial attitude with demonstrated business development instincts and a knack for spotting opportunities and making them happen
● Ability to work independently without close oversight, and collaboratively as a team player, proactively building relationships and sharing information across the organization
● Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral; must be capable of professionally facilitating group discussions with business line managers and mid-level executives at financial services firms
● Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks and projects at a time, to prioritize, and to balance competing interests
● Well-versed in using systems and tools for effective sales and account management, with ability to contribute to their development; experience with SalesForce a plus
● An ability and desire to succeed in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
● High energy and passion for the organizational mission of CFSI is essential
● Graduate degree preferred
To apply, please submit resume, cover letter and writing sample to Lara Pawlak at resumes@cfsinnovation.com. Submissions without a cover letter and writing sample will not be considered. CFSI is an equal opportunity employer.