Business Development Manager - Portage - Northwestern Mutual

Description

Position Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Manager in Portage, MI. This key role merges recruitment and business development to drive the strategic growth of our financial services firm through the acquisition of top-tier financial advisors and professionals. This hybrid position requires a strong understanding of the full recruitment lifecycle as well as the wealth management and insurance industry landscape.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of building professional relationships, sourcing high-performing talent, and driving business growth by identifying and onboarding advisers who align with our firm's values, culture, and client service standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business Development & Growth Strategy

• Identify, target, and engage high-potential financial services professionals (e.g., financial advisers, planners, and portfolio managers) for potential recruitment.
• Develop and execute strategic growth initiatives to expand the firm's adviser network and geographic footprint.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of qualified candidates.
• Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and networking forums to build brand presence and attract talent.

2. Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Work with team members to support end-to-end recruitment processes for adviser roles, from sourcing and screening through to offer negotiation and onboarding.
• Support and implement recruitment campaigns tailored to the financial services sector.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to define hiring needs, assess candidates, and ensure cultural and strategic alignment.
• Use CRM and applicant tracking systems to manage recruitment pipelines and report on KPIs.

3. Relationship Management

• Establish and nurture long-term relationships with external stakeholders including industry associations, recruitment partners, and potential acquisition targets.
• Serve as a key point of contact and relationship manager for advisers transitioning into the firm, ensuring a smooth and supportive onboarding process.
• Mentor, support, and coach new financial advisors as they build and grow their practice.
• Support new advisor launch and ensure key metrics of success are attained

4. Market Intelligence

• Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes affecting talent movement within the wealth management sector.
• Provide regular reporting and insights to leadership on market dynamics, candidate feedback, and competitive positioning.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Proven experience in business development, recruitment, or talent acquisition within the wealth management, financial services, or professional services industry.
• Strong network of contacts within the financial services, insurance, or wealth management sectors is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to source, attract, and secure high-caliber talent in a competitive market.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong centers of influence and networks that can be leveraged to grow and advance the firm's territory
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive results in a target-driven environment.
• Familiarity with recruitment tools and CRM systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Become fully licensed with Insurance licensing, FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 63 over the first 12 months of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience recruiting financial advisers, licensed representatives, wealth managers, or industry adjacent professionals.
• Experience working in or with an independent advisory network, platform provider, or dealer group.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Number and quality of advisers successfully onboarded.
• Time-to-hire and onboarding satisfaction scores.
• Growth in First Year Commissions (FYC) from recruited advisers.
• Growth in Assets Under Management (AUM) from recruited advisers.
• Adviser retention rates post-integration.
• Pipeline health and recruitment funnel metrics.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Total Compensation: $90-120k base commensurate with experience, up to $18k in bonuses
• PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision
• Retirement Match

Growth Path

High success in this role can lead to expanded leadership responsibilities, increased compensation, and the opportunity to build and manage your own financial practice once fully registered. High-performing individuals may also advance into senior organizational roles with greater strategic influence.

Why Join Us?

• Be a key driver of strategic growth in the most respected and expanding financial planning firm.
• Opportunity to shape the future of the adviser team with high-impact recruitment.
• Join the firm's effort to bring financial independence and peace of mind to the greater Portage community
• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Flexible working arrangements and a supportive, collaborative culture.
• Access to industry-leading tools, resources, and support to enable success through the power and legacy of Northwestern Mutual