Transition Support Specialist

Baird•Milwaukee, WI

11d

About The Position

The Transition Support Specialist coordinates efficient, seamless, and compliant transitions for experienced Financial Advisors and their clients joining Baird. The role collaborates with Legal, Compliance, Operations, Marketing, IT, Recruiting, Branch Leadership, and other Private Wealth Management teams. It customizes transition plans, protects sensitive information, resolves complex account and product issues, and supports accurate, coordinated onboarding. The position combines detailed process coordination with independent judgment and may also support business continuity events, recruiting, and firmwide projects. Approximately 45% of the role may involve Transition Specialist responsibilities and long-term travel. The specialist may provide remote or onsite transition support, work directly with clients, prepare documentation, train Client Specialists, and assist advisor teams with minimal oversight. Additional work may include operational reviews, advisor recruit visits, final-stage recruiting activities, acquisitions, and team projects, as business needs require.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
Strong knowledge of account-opening, account-transfer, and service-paperwork processes.
Exceptional organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet strict deadlines, and produce accurate, reliable work.
Sound independent judgment and discretion when handling confidential client, advisor, legal, and business information.
Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify risk, anticipate issues, and coordinate practical solutions across multiple teams.
Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills, including the confidence to explain requirements, influence decisions, and work directly with Financial Advisors and clients.
Ability to remain composed in fast-paced or high-pressure situations and adapt quickly as priorities, processes, forms, or regulatory requirements change.
Proactive, collaborative approach and ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team with limited supervision.
Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word and Excel, and ability to learn Baird systems and technology quickly.
Willingness and ability to travel for extended periods, including long-term assignments, based on transition needs; travel may involve approximately 45% of the role.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
One to two years of financial-services or related industry experience.
Experience with BETA Host, Liquid Office, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

Lead customized pre-transition planning with Legal and business partners, ensuring plans align with regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and firm directives.
Review client communications, disclosures, ADV supplements, business cards, stationery, and other materials for accuracy, consistency, and appropriate approvals before distribution.
Coordinate onboarding preferences with incoming Financial Advisors, including team naming, websites, marketing materials, access needs, rep codes, and systems.
Analyze client and product data to identify existing Baird relationships, assess supportability of positions, annuities, and insurance products, and coordinate solutions with relevant departments.
Prepare Protocol mailings, client packets, account documentation, and customized communications, ensuring time-sensitive materials are delivered when the recruit joins.
Coordinate transition-day account setup, including client categorization, ownership assignments, document preparation, new account opening, ACATS initiation, and transfer tracking.
Monitor account-opening and transfer activity, troubleshoot errors, follow up on outstanding items, and review client accounts for accuracy and a seamless experience.
Coordinate registrations, insurance carrier appointments, compliance forms, and fee reimbursements; escalate risks or gaps to Legal, Compliance, branch leadership, and transition partners.
Respond to daily questions from Financial Advisors, clients, Transition Specialists, Client Relationship Group partners, and branches with timely, practical solutions.
Serve as a remote or onsite Transition Specialist as needed, including working with clients, preparing documentation, training Client Specialists, and supporting advisor teams with minimal oversight.
Implement and monitor legal, confidentiality, privacy, compliance, and risk-management requirements throughout transitions; promptly elevate issues that could create risk for Baird or its clients.
Act as a resource on firm products, technology, policies, and procedures; train new recruits and Transition Specialists and connect advisors with appropriate Baird departments.
Support business continuity events by assessing branch interruptions, checking on associates, helping determine whether a branch should close, and coordinating plans to preserve client service and trading capabilities.
Maintain business continuity plans and Fusion records and send branch alerts when needed.
Support recruiting by researching prospective Financial Advisors, building recruiting lists and packets, maintaining the FA Recruiting Toolkit, and coordinating updated recruiting materials with branch leaders.
Support operational reviews, advisor recruit visits, final-stage recruiting activities, acquisitions, team projects, and the Lead Process Coordinator as business needs require.