Client Acquisition Associate

The Role

As a Client Acquisition Team Associate, you play a critical role in driving Ascent’s growth by showcasing its unique capabilities and value propositions to prospective clients in existing and expansion markets. Leveraging internal and external data sources, you identify and acquire new clients while supporting the firm’s strategic growth priorities. This role involves close collaboration with key executives and cross-divisional colleagues, building expertise to deliver optimal value to both clients and the organization.

Success in this role requires proven sales and cold-calling skills, entrepreneurial drive, an analytical mindset, and intellectual curiosity. The ability to effectively communicate and present to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders is essential. We seek individuals who thrive on developing client relationships, enjoy challenges, and exhibit team-oriented professionalism with high attention to detail. Integrity, a strong work ethic, and sound professional judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information are paramount in this entrepreneurial and dynamic environment.

The Work

• Client Acquisition and Sales: Responsible for cold-calling and selling the Ascent Develop Solutions platform to prospective clients in expansion markets, often as the first point of contact from the Sales Team. Proven success in converting leads into clients.
• Data Utilization and Analysis: Leverage, enhance, source, validate, and incorporate internal and external data tools to identify and evaluate prospective clients both qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Reporting and Metrics Development: Collaborate on creating robust metrics and reporting systems, tracking calls made, conversion timing, data integrity, and client feedback to refine strategies and processes.
• Market Intelligence: Recognize and systematically report on key themes from client conversations, including insights on geographic markets, lending products, and borrower strategies. Use this intelligence to shape or adjust sector strategies.
• Collaboration and Leadership: Work in a highly collaborative environment, fostering an entrepreneurial culture, driving growth, and demonstrating leadership in problem-solving and innovative thinking.
• Adaptability and Communication: Exhibit proactive and adaptive communication, effectively engaging with stakeholders across disciplines, departments, and management levels. Quickly learn and adapt to new systems and tools while maintaining independence and creativity.

Your Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, Communications, Finance, or Marketing.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional sales experience, preferably in financial services or lending platforms, including at least 1 year of proven success in cold calling and client conversion.
• Demonstrates leadership ability to foster an entrepreneurial culture, drive growth, and thrive in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment.
• Strong business acumen with an independent and creative mindset. Intellectually curious and willing to diplomatically challenge the status quo to improve processes and outcomes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, proactive and adaptive communication style, and ability to effectively engage with individuals across disciplines, departments, and management levels. Strong customer service focus with excellent follow-through.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems and tools.
• Excels in managing time effectively, takes initiative with clear business objectives, and adapts quickly to change in a fast-paced work environment

The Pay

Annual salary for this position is $90,000 - $115,000 with a discretionary annual bonus of up to 15%.

The Work Environment

• This role works on-site from Ascent's Encino office, Monday - Thursday (Fridays are work-from-home).
• Full-time, 40 hours per week; must be available for occasional overtime.
• Some nights and weekends required.