External RIA Wholesaler, Central & Southeast

Lord Abbett•Jersey City, NJ

1d•Remote

About The Position

Lord Abbett is an independent firm with a singular focus on the management of money, known for its leadership, influence, and innovation in the asset management industry. This role, as Relationship Manager, Strategic RIA Group, is critical for engaging with Lord Abbett’s largest and most sophisticated Registered Investment Advisors and Family Offices. The position is responsible for identifying and executing growth opportunities within this strategic segment, monitoring the competitive landscape, and developing initiatives to expand and strengthen Lord Abbett’s distribution footprint. Reporting to the Senior Managing Director & Head of the Strategic RIA Group, the Relationship Manager will collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to drive the firm’s enduring relevance and profitable growth. This role is not tied to a specific location.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in asset management, with deep knowledge of distribution, advisory platforms, and institutional-quality relationships.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex quantitative and qualitative analysis into clear, compelling messages.
Strong influencing, negotiation, and relationship-management capabilities across senior audiences.
Deep understanding of the wealth management ecosystem, key players, and evolving business models.
Ability to balance long-term strategic thinking with near-term execution and prioritization.
Strong grasp of capital markets and investment fundamentals.
Proven ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
Demonstrated alignment with Lord Abbett’s values through a collaborative, team-oriented leadership style.
Bachelor’s degree required
Series 7 license required.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of strategies to expand and deepen distribution across approximately 100 high-value RIAs and Family Offices.
Build and sustain senior-level relationships with firm leadership, CIOs, research teams, and due diligence professionals, articulating Lord Abbett’s culture, investment capabilities, and long-term value proposition.
Identify and strategically deploy firm resources—including select investment professionals—to position Lord Abbett for success within complex advisory organizations.
Monitor industry, channel, and firm-specific trends to proactively identify new growth opportunities.
Manage relationship economics and communicate critical insights, risks, and opportunities to internal stakeholders.
Drive product endorsements, map firm decision-making structures, and monetize opportunities across sales teams (Strategic Relationships Group, Regional Managers, and Account Consultants).
Act as a trusted advisor on strategic, competitive, and industry matters, partnering closely with the Head of the Strategic RIA Group on priority initiatives.