Senior Client Operations Associate
Houston, TX
Full Time
Experienced
Reporting to the Client Operations Manager, the Senior Client Operations Associate serves as a senior team lead within the Client Operations group. This individual is responsible for owning key client service workflows, supporting operational execution, and providing day-to-day guidance to junior team members and interns.
This role is designed for a high-performing operations professional who demonstrates strong initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to drive consistent follow-through across client service processes. While this position is not currently a formal people manager role, it is expected to contribute to team leadership and may grow into expanded management responsibilities over time.
Why Willis Johnson & Associates?
Willis Johnson & Associates is a fast growing, award winning, wealth management firm specializing in corporate executives and professionals. We help our clients optimize everything in their personal financial lives from compensation and benefit strategy to tax mitigation, from retirement planning to investments. We also have an in house CPA to provide tax preparation for our clients that need it. And with everything we recommend, we put our clients first—all the time, every time. No product sales. No commissions. Straight feeonly financial planning and asset management.
The same way we take care of our clients, we invest in our team. Aside from providing a very competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability/life insurance, 401(k), and PTO, we pride ourselves in supporting personal and professional growth. We encourage and incentivize continued education for all employees and support their participation in educational conferences and events. WJA is also proud to be one of the Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors by Investment News multiple years in a row.
Workflow & Process Improvement
Team Support & Development (Team Lead Focus)
Hiring & Recruiting Support
This role is designed for a high-performing operations professional who demonstrates strong initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to drive consistent follow-through across client service processes. While this position is not currently a formal people manager role, it is expected to contribute to team leadership and may grow into expanded management responsibilities over time.
Why Willis Johnson & Associates?
Willis Johnson & Associates is a fast growing, award winning, wealth management firm specializing in corporate executives and professionals. We help our clients optimize everything in their personal financial lives from compensation and benefit strategy to tax mitigation, from retirement planning to investments. We also have an in house CPA to provide tax preparation for our clients that need it. And with everything we recommend, we put our clients first—all the time, every time. No product sales. No commissions. Straight feeonly financial planning and asset management.
The same way we take care of our clients, we invest in our team. Aside from providing a very competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability/life insurance, 401(k), and PTO, we pride ourselves in supporting personal and professional growth. We encourage and incentivize continued education for all employees and support their participation in educational conferences and events. WJA is also proud to be one of the Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors by Investment News multiple years in a row.
Essential Responsibilities
Client Service:- Serve as an escalation point for complex client operations issues, ensuring timely resolution and high service standards
- Direct daily client operations activities including service requests, account maintenance, transfers, and onboarding workflows
- Ensure all paperwork is accurate, complete, and in good order prior to custodian submission
- Perform status checks throughout service and transfer processes, communicating proactively with advisors and internal teams
- Serve as liaison between custodians, advisors, trading, and the investment team
- Record all service tasks and workflow steps in the CRM to ensure accountability and timely follow-through
- Maintain compliance awareness within service workflows and documentation standards
Workflow & Process Improvement
- Support the design, implementation, and refinement of operational workflows related to onboarding, service paperwork, and client experience
- Establish consistent structures, checks-and-balances, and follow-up systems to reduce errors and improve execution
- Participate in regular review and continuous improvement of team processes and service standards
Team Support & Development (Team Lead Focus)
- Provide training, coaching, and day-to-day support to Client Operations Specialists and Associates
- Assist with onboarding and support of interns, ensuring consistent execution of core client service processes
- Serve as a resource to the team by reinforcing best practices and operational consistency
- Contribute to a culture of accountability, professionalism, and strong client service execution
Hiring & Recruiting Support
- Assist with initial resume review and first-round candidate screening for Client Operations and Residency-related hiring needs
- Support recruiting coordination efforts as needed, including internship pipeline and outreach support
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Three or more years of experience in financial services industry required
- Client service, administrative or operations experience at an RIA is preferred.
- Demonstrates excellent organizational, problem solving and communication skills in a highly collaborative team environment.
- Detail-oriented with strong prioritization and project management skills to drive progress of firm projects; ability to handle multiple projects and tasks simultaneously while maintaining quality work.
- Strong technology skills, including MS Office (Excel), CRM and internal portal technology.
- Highly adaptive and responsive to changing needs and deadlines.
- Ability to establish structures, checks-and-balances, and maintain follow-up systems.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $75,000 - $105,000, plus discretionary performance bonuses paid out bi-annually.
- Total Compensation Range with Bonus = $86,000 - $132,000.
- 401(k) plan with opportunity to earn up to 7% the first year and 10% with tenure.
- Best and brightest leaders will have opportunities to buy into and become owners in the firm over time.
- 11 paid holidays and 15 PTO days to use at your discretion.
- Employer paid Health/Dental/Vision insurance premiums for individuals and families.
- Employer HSA contributions
- Employer paid Life and Long-Term Disability
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