Business Development, Associate

Ariel Investments is a premier, boutique, asset management firm. Our primary goal is to drive exceptional investment returns by bringing diverse perspectives together. The only way to beat a benchmark is to not look like one. As value investors, our thinking is deliberate and unconventional. We offer an independent, patient investing approach and aim to deliver excellence in any environment. We uphold our fiduciary responsibility to every shareholder, no matter how big or small. 

At Ariel, we strongly believe that teamwork yields results-which is why we have Co-CEOs. John W. Rogers, Jr. and Mellody Hobson share a desire to cultivate leaders who are curious, focused and disciplined. We are nimble and efficient. Our drive is fanatical and intentional. Everyone plays their position, and each contribution is critical to our firm’s success. We seek subject matter experts who are unapologetically themselves. We encourage our employees to reach their full potential and we give them the runway to do so.   

After four decades of active investing, we remain committed to our clients, our teammates and our community. We strive to be best-in-class investors and pioneer a path for those who entrust us with their financial future.  

Position Summary: 

Ariel Investments is seeking a Business Development Associate to join its Distribution organization and provide client-facing and relationship management support to senior Distribution leaders. The Associate will play an important role in delivering a high-quality client experience across the full relationship lifecycle, including prospective client engagement, onboarding, relationship development, ongoing servicing, and client retention.

Working closely with senior Distribution leaders, the Associate will help manage client priorities, participate in client and prospect meetings, prepare for client interactions, coordinate follow-up activities, and ensure client needs are addressed thoughtfully and efficiently. The Associate will be expected to develop a strong understanding of Ariel’s investment philosophy, strategies, products, and relevant investment opportunities and, over time, to represent the firm with increasing independence in appropriate client and prospect settings.

The role will also serve as a key liaison across Portfolio Management, Investment Teams, Operations, Legal, Compliance, Marketing, Finance, and other internal partners to coordinate client deliverables and facilitate timely resolution of requests.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, responsive, and relationship-oriented professional who understands the importance of exceptional client service in an investment management environment. The individual should be comfortable interacting directly with institutional and other sophisticated clients, managing multiple priorities, and operating with a high degree of professionalism, judgment, and attention to detail.

This role can be located in Chicago or New York City

Responsibilities:

• Partner with senior Distribution and relationship leaders in supporting a portfolio of client and prospective client relationships, coordinating priorities, client activity, and strategic relationship management initiatives.
• Participate actively in client and prospect meetings alongside senior Distribution leaders and, when appropriate, as a representative of the firm when senior leaders are unavailable. Develop and maintain the knowledge necessary to clearly articulate Ariel’s investment philosophy, strategies, products, and relevant investment opportunities and address client questions effectively.
• Serve as a client-facing relationship resource, developing trusted relationships with clients and prospects, responding to inquiries, facilitating requests, coordinating follow-up, and ensuring clients receive timely, accurate, and thoughtful support.
• Support preparation for client and prospect meetings, including developing presentation materials and briefing documents, coordinating internal inputs, identifying outstanding items, and ensuring appropriate follow-up after meetings.
• Develop a strong understanding of assigned clients, including their investment objectives, organizational structure, key contacts, service expectations, preferences, relationship history, and strategic priorities.
• Coordinate client onboarding and implementation activities across Distribution, Operations, Legal, Compliance, Investment teams, custodians, and other internal and external partners to support a seamless transition from mandate award through ongoing relationship management.
• Manage and track client deliverables and relationship activity, including recurring and ad hoc reporting, requests for information, due diligence materials, account documentation, presentations, and other client communications.
• Partner across Ariel’s investment and business functions to address client needs, communicate priorities, identify dependencies, and ensure commitments are completed accurately and within established timelines.
• Maintain accurate and current client information and relationship intelligence within CRM and other internal systems, including key contacts, meeting notes, client preferences, opportunities, outstanding requests, and significant relationship developments.
• Identify, anticipate, and escalate client service issues or relationship risks, partnering with senior Distribution leaders and internal stakeholders to develop solutions, facilitate timely resolution, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen Ariel’s overall client experience and Distribution capabilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; concentration in Business, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or a related discipline preferred.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in asset management, investment management, financial services, institutional client service, relationship management, sales support, or a comparable client-facing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility and professional relationships with clients, senior executives, investment professionals, and cross-functional partners.
• Strong interest in and understanding of investment management, with the ability and willingness to develop deep knowledge of Ariel’s investment philosophy, strategies, products, and public and private market offerings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and appropriately with both internal and external audiences.
• Exceptional organization, project management, and follow-through skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple client requests, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, particularly when preparing client-facing materials, communications, reporting, and documentation.
• Strong judgment and discretion when handling confidential client, investment, and firm information.
• Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to anticipate needs, identify issues, and move work forward with appropriate independence.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook; experience with CRM platforms and investment management and client reporting systems preferred.
• Appropriate FINRA registrations required or must be obtained within the firm's designated timeframe following hire, including Series 7 and Series 63 and/or Series 66, as applicable. Additional licensing or registration may be required based on product coverage and responsibilities, including private market offerings.

Compensation

The base salary range for this role is $90,000 - $125,000 + Bonus

Compliance:

Ariel employees, including the incumbent(s) in this position, are required to: (1) read and strictly adhere to all compliance policies and procedures of the various Ariel entities, as applicable; and (2) work together with their colleagues, including the CCO, to resolve compliance issues.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Diversity:

Ariel celebrates diversity and practices inclusion as a way to get work done - it’s in our DNA. As an equal opportunity employer, employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, parental status (including pregnancy), disability, perceived disability, veteran status, status of military discharge, or any other basis under federal, state, or local law. Ariel prohibits discrimination against an applicant or employee because of their actual or perceived protected characteristic(s), and is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing a diverse group of talented applicants, and to providing employees with a workplace free from discrimination and/or harassment.

Equal employment opportunity takes place in all employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, and termination. The firm seeks to uphold an inclusive culture where diversity is recognized and valued. As such, Ariel provides employees a robust benefits package that includes:

• Coverage for same-sex partner (domestic or spouse)
• Coverage for children (natural born, step, adopted or foster)
• Fully paid medical insurance that covers fertility treatments, gender affirmation
• Employer contributions to a Health Savings Account
• Maternity leave at 100% pay (12 weeks)
• Paid Parental Leave (up to 12 weeks depending on tenure)

Lastly, all employees have access to Ariel-sponsored educational, training, and recreational activities.