Internal Business Development Consultant - CFI

Summary

Cetera Financial Group is a network of independent financial firms providing financial advice, wealth management, and investment-program services to individuals, families, companies, banks, and credit unions. The Internal Business Development Consultant will build and maintain a Financial Institution database in Salesforce, conduct targeted outreach, research prospective opportunities, and generate qualified leads for external business development partners and senior recruiters.

Responsibilities

• Build, expand, and maintain a comprehensive Financial Institution database in Salesforce, initially focused on Credit Unions
• Research Credit Unions, Banks, and their investment programs to identify prospective opportunities, key decision-makers, and relevant organizational information
• Conduct targeted outreach to Financial Institution executives, investment program managers, and Centers of Influence
• Utilize compliance-approved AI and digital tools to support prospect research, lead generation, institutional market analysis, and recruiting initiatives, helping to identify opportunities, streamline workflows, and drive more informed business development efforts
• Develop relationships with institutional contacts to gather information, assess potential business opportunities, and increase awareness of Cetera’s Financial Institution capabilities
• Generate qualified Credit Union and Bank investment-program leads for External Financial Institution New Business Development Officers and Senior Recruiters
• Partner closely with External Financial Institution New Business Development Officers and Senior Recruiters to understand territory priorities, ideal prospect profiles, and lead-generation goals
• Schedule introductory meetings between qualified Financial Institution prospects and external business development partners
• Accurately document outreach activity, contact information, institutional details, and lead status in Salesforce
• Maintain organized and current records to support effective pipeline management, follow-up activity, and reporting
• Support targeted outreach campaigns within assigned territories or market segments
• Track Financial Institution prospects through the business development pipeline using Salesforce and Microsoft Excel
• Collaborate with internal partners to refine outreach strategies, messaging, and sales enablement materials for Credit Union and Bank audiences
• Share market intelligence and prospect feedback with external business development partners to help identify trends and potential opportunities
• Communicate Cetera’s value proposition clearly and professionally to Financial Institution decision-makers and other key stakeholders

Skills

• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship-building and professional outreach capabilities
• Experience conducting outbound prospecting, business development, or lead-generation activities
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Salesforce
• Understanding sales techniques, pipeline development, and prospect qualification
• Demonstrated ability to research organizations and identify relevant decision-makers
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills
• Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records within a CRM system
• Ability to work collaboratively with external business development partners and cross-functional teams
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Economics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 3+ years of related experience within the financial services industry
• 3+ years of experience in a sales, business development, recruiting, or lead-generation environment
• Experience working with Credit Unions, Banks, Financial Institutions, or institutional investment programs
• Familiarity with Financial Institution executives, investment program managers, and Centers of Influence
• Experience building or maintaining prospect databases in Salesforce

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship-building and professional outreach capabilities
• Experience conducting outbound prospecting, business development, or lead-generation activities
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Salesforce
• Understanding sales techniques, pipeline development, and prospect qualification
• Demonstrated ability to research organizations and identify relevant decision-makers
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills
• Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records within a CRM system
• Ability to work collaboratively with external business development partners and cross-functional teams

Nice to Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Economics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 3+ years of related experience within the financial services industry
• 3+ years of experience in a sales, business development, recruiting, or lead-generation environment
• Experience working with Credit Unions, Banks, Financial Institutions, or institutional investment programs
• Familiarity with Financial Institution executives, investment program managers, and Centers of Influence
• Experience building or maintaining prospect databases in Salesforce

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus
• Generous incentive compensation package
• Inclusive health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• Mental health benefits for employees and their families
• 20+ days of paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and 2 paid wellness days
• 401(k) savings plan with a generous company contribution (up to 5%)
• Access to a financial professional to help employees plan for their financial future
• Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and fostering
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Account options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• LifeLock identity theft protection
• Pet insurance
• Paid caregiver leave when caring for an ill or recovering family member
• Remote work