Senior Client Relationship Manager
Oneblueridge, Des Moines, IA, United States
Description
Where Technical Expertise Meets Purpose-Driven Impact Use your ESOP knowledge to help employees across the country build financial independence.
At Blue Ridge Associates, we don’t just administer retirement plans — we help people build lasting financial security. Through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and 401(k) services, we empower employees across the country to take ownership of their financial futures. We’re proud to be one of the top ESOP administration firms in the nation, serving a diverse range of companies that believe in sharing success with their people.
Whether remote or based in one of our seven offices across the country, our team members work together with a shared mission: to make it easy for retirement plan professionals and sponsors to provide wealth‑building benefits to business owners and their employees.
That’s Where You Come in as a Senior Client Relationship Manager The Senior Client Relationship Manager (Senior CRM) is responsible for managing and strengthening high‑value ESOP client relationships, with a focus on strategic engagement, retention, and service excellence. This role is entrusted with Blue Ridge’s premier and elite clients, requiring advanced relationship‑management skills, deep business insight, and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive client situations.
In addition to managing a portfolio, the Senior CRM contributes to client‑care strategy, mentors CRMs, and helps develop processes that drive quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction across the ESOP Client Care team. This individual collaborates closely with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery and proactively identifies opportunities for consulting, additional services, or revenue growth.
Essential Functions Strategic Client Relationship Management
Serve as the primary relationship lead for premier, elite, and/or highly complex ESOP clients.
Act as the escalation point for sensitive, high‑impact, or complex client issues requiring senior‑level judgment.
Strengthen client retention by delivering strategic value messages and proactive insights.
Build high‑trust relationships with executive‑level client contacts and boards/committees.
Client Engagement & Service Oversight
Partner with internal administration and consulting teams to ensure timely, accurate, and strategic delivery of services.
Oversee annual administration timelines and ensure clients remain informed and prepared for all milestones.
Lead or participate in annual strategic planning meetings, year‑end reviews, or executive briefings.
Plan Health, Reporting & Strategic Recommendations
Develop and deliver advanced Plan Health Reviews tailored to complex clients, including deeper analysis, trends, and strategic guidance.
Recommend enhancements to service models, plan design, or processes based on insights or emerging client needs.
Business Insights, Profitability & Growth Leadership
Conduct detailed profitability analysis on assigned clients and recommend fee changes or service adjustments.
Identify and present opportunities to introduce consulting services or additional Blue Ridge offerings.
Provide high‑level demonstrations of ESOPConnection and support client adoption strategies.
Team Leadership, Mentorship & Process Improvement
Serve as an informal team leader or mentor to CRMs, providing guidance on best practices and client handling approaches.
Assist in onboarding and developing CRM team members.
Collaborate in creating and refining internal procedures, workflows, and client care standards.
Contribute to broader client care strategy and cross‑departmental initiatives.
Other Duties
Support special projects, strategic initiatives, and cross‑functional work as assigned.
Perform additional duties as required.
Requirements Skills/Abilities
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and build rapport at senior client levels.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex client relationships and sensitive situations.
Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and consultative approach.
Proven ability to mentor or support the development of other team members.
Advanced problem‑solving skills with a client‑focused mindset.
Ability to manage a large, complex book of business with multiple priorities.
Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
ESOP knowledge preferred.
Education/Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field required.
8–10+ years of experience in client relationship management, account management, or customer success.
Experience leading complex client meetings, business reviews, or strategic discussions.
Prior experience handling escalations or high‑complexity accounts.
ESOP administration or retirement/benefits experience preferred.
Travel
Occasional travel for key client meetings, planning sessions, or internal collaboration.
Why You’ll Love Working Here as a Senior Client Relationship Manager You’ll join a company that works hard and supports one another — while doing work that truly matters.
We offer:
Remote‑first work culture with in‑office options (VA, MD, OH, IL, CA, MN)
Competitive salary & comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, disability)
401(k) with company match + HSA with contribution
Generous PTO for parental leave, vacation and holiday time
Support for certifications, association dues, and professional growth
Company culture built on community: happy hours, social events, committee opportunities, and volunteer opportunities to make a difference
Join Us as We Build Wealth for Generations Everything we do is driven by our vision. We see a future where more people achieve financial independence, enjoy meaningful retirement, and leave a legacy.
To get there, we live by our values every day:
Precision – Accurate records, timely and error‑free service.
Efficacy – We ensure compliance, support communication, and guide participants toward retirement readiness.
Advocacy – We champion regulatory and legislative change that benefits employers and employees.
Collaboration – Trusted partners to clients, advisors, and teammates alike.
Excellence – We bring personalized, proactive, high‑touch service to everything we do.
This is more than a job. It’s your chance to create lasting impact — for your career, for your clients, and for the people whose futures you work to shape every day.
Apply now and make a career out of making a difference!
Blue Ridge is committed to equal pay and pay transparency.
The annual base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $155,000. This range represents the anticipated pay for this role across multiple U.S. labor markets and is intended as a general guideline.
Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the role, relevant experience, work location, education and training, key skills, internal equity, external market data, and current business considerations.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Must be authorized to work in the US.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Where Technical Expertise Meets Purpose-Driven Impact Use your ESOP knowledge to help employees across the country build financial independence.
At Blue Ridge Associates, we don’t just administer retirement plans — we help people build lasting financial security. Through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and 401(k) services, we empower employees across the country to take ownership of their financial futures. We’re proud to be one of the top ESOP administration firms in the nation, serving a diverse range of companies that believe in sharing success with their people.
Whether remote or based in one of our seven offices across the country, our team members work together with a shared mission: to make it easy for retirement plan professionals and sponsors to provide wealth‑building benefits to business owners and their employees.
That’s Where You Come in as a Senior Client Relationship Manager The Senior Client Relationship Manager (Senior CRM) is responsible for managing and strengthening high‑value ESOP client relationships, with a focus on strategic engagement, retention, and service excellence. This role is entrusted with Blue Ridge’s premier and elite clients, requiring advanced relationship‑management skills, deep business insight, and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive client situations.
In addition to managing a portfolio, the Senior CRM contributes to client‑care strategy, mentors CRMs, and helps develop processes that drive quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction across the ESOP Client Care team. This individual collaborates closely with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery and proactively identifies opportunities for consulting, additional services, or revenue growth.
Essential Functions Strategic Client Relationship Management
Serve as the primary relationship lead for premier, elite, and/or highly complex ESOP clients.
Act as the escalation point for sensitive, high‑impact, or complex client issues requiring senior‑level judgment.
Strengthen client retention by delivering strategic value messages and proactive insights.
Build high‑trust relationships with executive‑level client contacts and boards/committees.
Client Engagement & Service Oversight
Partner with internal administration and consulting teams to ensure timely, accurate, and strategic delivery of services.
Oversee annual administration timelines and ensure clients remain informed and prepared for all milestones.
Lead or participate in annual strategic planning meetings, year‑end reviews, or executive briefings.
Plan Health, Reporting & Strategic Recommendations
Develop and deliver advanced Plan Health Reviews tailored to complex clients, including deeper analysis, trends, and strategic guidance.
Recommend enhancements to service models, plan design, or processes based on insights or emerging client needs.
Business Insights, Profitability & Growth Leadership
Conduct detailed profitability analysis on assigned clients and recommend fee changes or service adjustments.
Identify and present opportunities to introduce consulting services or additional Blue Ridge offerings.
Provide high‑level demonstrations of ESOPConnection and support client adoption strategies.
Team Leadership, Mentorship & Process Improvement
Serve as an informal team leader or mentor to CRMs, providing guidance on best practices and client handling approaches.
Assist in onboarding and developing CRM team members.
Collaborate in creating and refining internal procedures, workflows, and client care standards.
Contribute to broader client care strategy and cross‑departmental initiatives.
Other Duties
Support special projects, strategic initiatives, and cross‑functional work as assigned.
Perform additional duties as required.
Requirements Skills/Abilities
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and build rapport at senior client levels.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex client relationships and sensitive situations.
Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and consultative approach.
Proven ability to mentor or support the development of other team members.
Advanced problem‑solving skills with a client‑focused mindset.
Ability to manage a large, complex book of business with multiple priorities.
Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
ESOP knowledge preferred.
Education/Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field required.
8–10+ years of experience in client relationship management, account management, or customer success.
Experience leading complex client meetings, business reviews, or strategic discussions.
Prior experience handling escalations or high‑complexity accounts.
ESOP administration or retirement/benefits experience preferred.
Travel
Occasional travel for key client meetings, planning sessions, or internal collaboration.
Why You’ll Love Working Here as a Senior Client Relationship Manager You’ll join a company that works hard and supports one another — while doing work that truly matters.
We offer:
Remote‑first work culture with in‑office options (VA, MD, OH, IL, CA, MN)
Competitive salary & comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, disability)
401(k) with company match + HSA with contribution
Generous PTO for parental leave, vacation and holiday time
Support for certifications, association dues, and professional growth
Company culture built on community: happy hours, social events, committee opportunities, and volunteer opportunities to make a difference
Join Us as We Build Wealth for Generations Everything we do is driven by our vision. We see a future where more people achieve financial independence, enjoy meaningful retirement, and leave a legacy.
To get there, we live by our values every day:
Precision – Accurate records, timely and error‑free service.
Efficacy – We ensure compliance, support communication, and guide participants toward retirement readiness.
Advocacy – We champion regulatory and legislative change that benefits employers and employees.
Collaboration – Trusted partners to clients, advisors, and teammates alike.
Excellence – We bring personalized, proactive, high‑touch service to everything we do.
This is more than a job. It’s your chance to create lasting impact — for your career, for your clients, and for the people whose futures you work to shape every day.
Apply now and make a career out of making a difference!
Blue Ridge is committed to equal pay and pay transparency.
The annual base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $155,000. This range represents the anticipated pay for this role across multiple U.S. labor markets and is intended as a general guideline.
Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the role, relevant experience, work location, education and training, key skills, internal equity, external market data, and current business considerations.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Must be authorized to work in the US.
#J-18808-Ljbffr