Client Relationship Manager

Company: Transition Finance Strategies
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Full-time 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 Client Relationship Manager The Client Relationship Manager (CRM) is responsible for fostering, strengthening, and maintaining high-quality relationships with ESOP plan administration clients. This role ensures client needs are met through proactive communication, partnership with internal teams, and continuous oversight of the annual ESOP administration cycle. The CRM supports client retention by enhancing engagement, responding to service concerns, delivering consistent value messaging, and identifying opportunities for additional services or revenue growth. This position requires strong relationship-building skills, clear and confident communication, and the ability to collaborate across functional teams. Essential Functions Client Relationship Management & Communication • Serve as a primary point of contact—alongside the plan consultant—for assigned ESOP clients. • Address client inquiries, concerns, or service issues promptly and professionally to ensure a positive client experience. • Communicate Blue Ridge’s value proposition effectively, especially with “at-risk” clients, to strengthen satisfaction and retention. • Provide proactive client touches throughout the annual cycle, including quarterly informational emails and periodic phone calls to assess satisfaction. Client Engagement & Service Delivery Coordination • Collaborate closely with internal administration teams to ensure timely and accurate service delivery aligned with client expectations. • Monitor annual administration timelines within the ESOP recordkeeping system and ensure clients remain informed throughout the process. • Participate in annual planning or year-end calls as needed to prepare clients for upcoming deliverables and milestones. Plan Health Review & Reporting • Prepare and annually review Plan Health Reports that highlight key statistics, services delivered, and strategic goals for each client. • Recommend improvements or updates to client service models based on data insights and client needs. Business Insights, Profitability & Growth Opportunities • Review client profitability and make recommendations for fee adjustments, service changes, or staffing realignment when appropriate. • Identify opportunities to introduce ESOP consulting services or cross-sell additional Blue Ridge offerings. • Provide demonstrations of ESOPConnection, the participant website, to support client understanding and adoption. Other Duties • Contribute to developing and refining internal practices that enhance client service quality, efficiency, and documentation. • Assist with special internal or client initiatives as needed. • Perform additional duties as assigned. Requirements Skills/Abilities • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build trust and rapport. • 3 years of experience in client relationship management, account management, or a similar client-facing role. • Ability to identify client needs and collaborate internally to ensure successful outcomes. • Strong problem-solving and customer-focused mindset. • Proficiency with CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). • Strategic thinking, including the ability to assess client profitability and recommend improvements. • Ability to manage multiple accounts and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. • ESOP knowledge preferred but not required. Education/Experience • Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field. • Minimum 3 years of client relationship, account management, or customer success experience. • Experience participating in or managing client meetings, touchpoints, or business reviews required. • ESOP experience preferred but not required. Travel • Occasional travel to client locations or internal meetings may be required. • Travel may involve participation in client review meetings, annual planning sessions, or service-related activities. Why You’ll Love Working Here as an 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 $95,000 - $145,000. 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.

Keywords: Transition Finance Strategies, Oak Park , Client Relationship Manager, Accounting, Auditing , Chicago, Illinois