New Business Consultant
Blue Ridge Associates · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $75,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Onboard new clients and support sales efforts.
- Manage 401(k) plan conversions and compliance.
- Prepare and review critical plan documents.
- Build relationships with partners and clients.
- Ensure process efficiency and client satisfaction.
About the role
New Business Consultant
Blue Ridge Associates is seeking a New Business Consultant to join their remote team. This role focuses on onboarding new clients and supporting the sales department, leveraging technical expertise in retirement plans to promote financial independence for employees.
About Blue Ridge Associates
Blue Ridge Associates is a leading retirement plan administration firm specializing in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and 401(k) services. They are dedicated to helping employees build financial security and empowering businesses to share success with their people. The company fosters a collaborative environment, whether employees are remote or based in one of their seven offices.
Your Role as a New Business Consultant
As a New Business Consultant, you will act as an ambassador for Blue Ridge Associates, managing the onboarding of new clients. Your responsibilities include coordinating with client partners and trusted advisors, collaborating with the Sales team to build relationships, and ensuring timely and exceptional service throughout the client lifecycle. This role reports to the Director and requires strong customer service, time management, sales, and marketing skills.
Job Overview:
- Support the sales department and onboard new clients.
- Ensure excellent customer service and timely workload completion.
- Utilize sales and marketing skills effectively.
- Commit to continuous professional development.
Key Responsibilities:
Client Onboarding & Plan Conversions
- Coordinate onboarding for new 401(k), profit sharing, and defined contribution clients.
- Gather necessary data and set up new clients in internal systems.
- Facilitate a seamless transition from Sales to Onboarding to Plan Administration.
- Collaborate with advisors, CPAs, recordkeepers, and investment companies on onboarding tasks.
- Monitor onboarding timelines, proactively managing delays and risks.
- Coordinate investment company conversions for existing clients.
- Serve as an internal resource for sold business and onboarding requirements.
Document Preparation & Compliance
- Prepare, review, and deliver plan documents, amendments, and restatements.
- Ensure adherence to IRS, DOL, ERISA, and SECURE/SECURE 2.0 regulations.
- Work with internal technical experts on regulatory updates and document changes.
- Monitor document work status and address delays or risks promptly.
- Review complex or customized plan provisions with precision.
Sales Support & Relationship Development
- Welcome new clients and referral sources, reinforcing Blue Ridge’s value proposition.
- Prepare service agreements for prospective clients and partners.
- Maintain strong relationships with advisors, CPAs, wholesalers, and other referral partners.
- Assist in developing new referral sources and represent Blue Ridge professionally.
- Participate in client and advisor discussions to support onboarding and documentation needs.
Process Execution & Continuous Improvement
- Follow established workflows for consistency, quality, and compliance.
- Identify opportunities to enhance processes, tools, and the client experience.
- Contribute to working groups focused on improving internal systems and service delivery.
- Utilize platforms like PensionPro and FT William (FTW) for task management.
- Engage in company-wide initiatives to improve work product and operational efficiency.
Client Service & Consulting
- Communicate professionally and promptly with clients, advisors, and internal partners.
- Stay updated on retirement plan regulations and industry trends.
- Maintain high standards of customer service, accuracy, and responsiveness.
- Perform other assigned tasks as needed.
Requirements:
What We’re Looking For:
- 3–5+ years of experience in retirement plan administration (TPA experience required).
- Strong knowledge of 401(k) plan design and compliance.
- Experience reviewing complex and customized plan documents.
- Familiarity with onboarding processes.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to maintain a distraction-free, professional remote work environment with reliable high-speed internet.
Preferred Qualifications:
- QKA, QKC, or other ASPPA credentials (or working towards them).
- Experience with FT William document software.
- Experience with various recordkeeping platforms.
Why You’ll Love Working Here:
Blue Ridge Associates fosters a supportive and collaborative culture where hard work is valued, and meaningful work is the norm. You'll join a team committed to making a difference in people's financial lives.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, disability).
- 401(k) with company match and HSA with company contribution.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) for parental leave, vacation, and holidays.
- Support for professional development, including certifications and association dues.
- A collaborative and inclusive company culture with social events and employee-led initiatives.
Join Us in Building Wealth for Generations:
Blue Ridge Associates is driven by a vision of a future where more people achieve financial independence, enjoy fulfilling retirements, and leave lasting legacies. We live by our values daily: Precision, Efficacy, Advocacy, Collaboration, and Excellence.
Key Skills/Competency
- New Business Consultant
- Retirement Plan Administration
- 401(k) Plan Design
- Client Onboarding
- Compliance
- Sales Support
- Relationship Development
- Document Preparation
- ERISA
- Customer Service
Skills & topics
- New Business Consultant
- Retirement Plan Administration
- 401(k)
- Client Onboarding
- TPA
- Sales Support
- Compliance
- Document Preparation
- ERISA
- Customer Service
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight retirement plan administration experience, TPA background, and 401(k) compliance knowledge.
- Showcase client onboarding skills: Emphasize your ability to coordinate complex processes and manage multiple stakeholders.
- Demonstrate technical expertise: Mention familiarity with plan design, IRS/DOL regulations, and document preparation.
- Prepare for behavioral questions: Be ready to discuss your customer service approach, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities.
- Research Blue Ridge values: Align your application and interview responses with their commitment to Precision, Efficacy, Advocacy, Collaboration, and Excellence.
Technical preparation
Review 401(k) plan design and compliance rules.,Study TPA processes and client onboarding workflows.,Familiarize with ERISA, DOL, and IRS regulations.,Practice using retirement plan administration software.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex client onboarding you managed.,How do you ensure accuracy in document preparation?,Share an experience building professional relationships.,How do you handle competing priorities and deadlines?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the primary responsibilities of a New Business Consultant at Blue Ridge Associates?
- The primary responsibilities of a New Business Consultant at Blue Ridge Associates include supporting the sales department, onboarding new clients, coordinating plan conversions, preparing and reviewing plan documents for compliance, and developing relationships with clients and referral partners.
- What specific experience is required for the New Business Consultant role?
- The role requires 3-5+ years of experience in retirement plan administration, with specific TPA experience being mandatory. A strong understanding of 401(k) plan design and compliance requirements, as well as experience with onboarding processes and document review, are also essential.
- Is this a remote position, and what are the remote work requirements?
- Yes, this is a remote position. Candidates must be able to provide and maintain a distraction-free work environment, a professional workspace, and reliable high-speed internet connection.
- What technical skills or software knowledge are beneficial for this New Business Consultant job?
- While not strictly required, preferred qualifications include knowledge of FT William document software and experience with various recordkeeping platforms. Familiarity with PensionPro and other internal platforms is also utilized.
- What kind of professional development support does Blue Ridge Associates offer?
- Blue Ridge Associates offers support for certifications, association dues, and general professional development, indicating a commitment to their employees' continuous learning and career growth in the retirement plan industry.
- How does Blue Ridge Associates emphasize employee well-being and company culture?
- The company highlights a collaborative and inclusive culture with social events, employee-led committees, and volunteer opportunities. They also offer competitive benefits, generous PTO, and support for professional growth, contributing to a positive work environment.
- What are the key values that guide Blue Ridge Associates' operations?
- Blue Ridge Associates operates by five core values: Precision (accuracy and error-free service), Efficacy (compliance and retirement readiness), Advocacy (supporting beneficial regulatory changes), Collaboration (teamwork with clients and colleagues), and Excellence (proactive, personalized service).