Client Service Associate

Full time position | National search

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Purpose

As an integral member of Alford Group’s consulting team, the Client Service Associate (CSA) works across service lines to function as a primary analyst; contributor of actionable, data-driven recommendations; developer of engaging presentations; and key project manager on projects serving all segments of the social sector, including not-for-profits, foundations and impact-driven corporations. As such, the CSA is a valued member of every project team on which they serve.

Key Responsibilities

Research, Analysis and Presentation

In many instances the CSA serves as the primary analyst of the primary and secondary research that forms the basis for much of the consultancy’s client work. Depending on the scope of the project, the CSA can be expected to perform some or all of the following functions:

  • Apply a rigorous, analytical approach to client situations to identify solutions that are grounded in evidence and experience.
  • Gather and code primary qualitative research data. Conduct thematic and quantitative analyses to draw conclusions from data gathered.
  • Design, test and field constituent surveys. Analyze survey data. Design new ways to convey conclusions in creative visual ways and to supplement graphs, charts and tables.
  • Review materials and reports provided by clients as relates to their fundraising function, strategic plans, governance, etc. and identify weaknesses or inconsistencies with best practices and/or organizational goals.
  • Serve as a principal writer and proofreader of work product such as presentations, work plans, case statements, final reports and more.
  • Design and author high-impact reports and presentations using crisp language and engaging data visualizations.
  • Research trends, changes in best practices, products, tools, etc. to inform and improve clients’ work and/or consultancy methodologies and recommendations.
  • Conduct prospect research on individuals, foundations, corporations and other funder types as appropriate.

Project Management

Successful project management is critical to producing quality deliverables on time and on budget for our clients. Managing workflow to deadlines is part of every consultant role and especially important in the CSA role. In this capacity the CSA will:

  • Work closely with project leads, project team members and other colleagues to design, plan, coordinate and contribute to the completion of high-quality client work.
  • Maintain day-to-day workflow of project tasks and deliverables in accordance with timelines and competing priorities.
  • Prompt action from clients and colleagues on tasks and deliverables to ensure timely completion.
  • Proactively communicate progress, or lack thereof, against deadlines.
  • Thoughtfully work with colleagues and clients to track deadlines, resolve issues and address competing demands.
  • Prepare materials—such as agendas, Gantt charts, dashboards and status reports—to support internal team and client team members in advancing progress.
  • Coordinate meeting preparation and logistics for internal and external appointments.

Business Development and Marketing

The CSA will support the consultancy’s business development and marketing activities of consulting staff. In this capacity the CSA may:

  • Represent Alford Group at industry/social sector events and professional conferences and meetings.
  • Research and draft content for white papers, blog posts, social media posts, etc. on topics relevant to the social sector.
  • Create proposals and presentations for sales purposes.
  • Join discovery and business development meetings to capture and interpret needs of potential clients.
  • Maintain the consultancy’s CRM database and generate analysis and reports.

Characteristics of a successful CSA:

  • Deadline-oriented, with the ability to anticipate client and team needs and mitigate potential roadblocks.
  • Excellent analytical, critical thinking and active listening skills.
  • High attention to detail and proven proofreading abilities.
  • Ability to take initiative, simultaneously coordinate multiple projects and manage deadlines.
  • Ability to work collaboratively on a team and independently with minimal supervision at times.
  • Ability to manage relationships with diverse people, including client staff and high-level volunteers.
  • Superior written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong meeting coordination and participation, including virtual and hybrid meetings.
  • Brings a creative eye to the development of engaging presentation of client work, including data visualizations, reports, slide decks, etc.
  • Thoughtful of the relationship between style and substance of work product.
  • Adapts quickly and can work simultaneously for numerous project leads.
  • Open to and comfortable receiving and giving feedback.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Advanced degree preferred in business, non-profit management, public policy, organizational development or other relevant field of study.
  • At least four years of professional experience, with at least two years in the nonprofit sector, preferably with an emphasis on roles in frontline fundraising, communications/outreach and/or grant writing.
  • High technical proficiency: MS Office Suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint required; InDesign, Adobe Suite or similar expertise is helpful.
  • Knowledge of or readiness to learn donor management software, such as Raiser’s Edge and other customer relationship management, wealth screening and survey systems.
  • Ability to work occasional early mornings, evenings and weekends as required by client and consultancy engagements.
  • Some domestic travel may be required. A valid driver’s license is essential for local travel. The CSA must be able to travel independently, locally and nationally.
  • Full COVID-19 vaccination required and all employees of Alford Group must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Position Details

About Alford Group

Alford Group is a national, full-service consultancy serving nonprofits in nearly every state in the country. Since our founding, we have partnered with over 3,000 nonprofits to accelerate their impact and advance social change.

Alford Group expects each employee and associate of the consultancy to reflect and promote our vision, mission and values.

Vision: A world where possibilities are endless and reflect the best of who we are as humans.

Mission: We accelerate the nonprofit community’s impact and advance social change.

We Value:

  • Honest Partnerships
  • Equity-Centered Practices
  • Continued Learning
  • Joyful Connections

All employees are expected to assist in fulfilling our consultancy-wide goals and innovation objectives, participate in meetings and contribute to the consultancy’s thought leadership.

Confidential Data

Our team members have access to sensitive, confidential information and are trusted to maintain these files and documents properly.

Physical Demands

The position requires sitting and working on a computer for long periods of time as well as occasional lifting and carrying of presentation materials and supplies. Consultants must be able to interact seamlessly with clients through visual, aural, physical and written communications.

Work Environment

Inside average office environment. Average office noise levels. No personal protective equipment required. Currently, working in a virtual environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reports to

Vice President, Client Service and Innovation

Compensation

This is a salaried position with a range of $50,000 to $60,000 based on experience and a full benefits package, including a 401K plan and health insurance.

To apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume and two relevant writing samples (e.g. stewardship or impact report, donor communications, grant reports, business proposal, etc.) on our website here.

Apply Now

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      Senior Consultant

      Full time, exempt position | Chicago based preference; New England second preference | Currently virtual environment

      Position Purpose

      Provide strategic advice and counsel to non-profit clients across all Alford Group services, including but not limited to resource development, governance, strategic planning and non-profit management and leadership activities; provide project management leadership and expertise; market and sell consulting services; mentor staff.

      Alford Group is a national, full service consultancy serving nonprofits in nearly every state in the country. Since our founding, we have partnered with over 3,000 nonprofits to accelerate their impact and advance social change. Together, we’re building a world where possibilities are endless and reflect the best of who we are as humans. To join us and learn more about our six flagship services, please visit alford.com.

      Functions/Expectations

      Project Management

      Successful project management is critical to producing quality deliverables on time and on budget for our clients. Managing workflow to deadlines is part of every consultant role and especially important in the Senior Consultant role. In this capacity the Senior Consultant will:

      • Work closely with project team members and other colleagues to design, plan, coordinate, and contribute to the completion of high-quality client work.
      • Maintain day-to-day workflow of project tasks and deliverables in accordance with timelines and competing priorities.
      • Prompt action from clients and colleagues on tasks and deliverables to ensure timely completion.
      • Proactively communicate progress, or lack thereof, against deadlines.
      • Thoughtfully work with colleagues and clients to track deadlines, resolve issues, and address competing demands.
      • Prepare materials—such as agendas, Gantt charts, dashboards, and status reports—to support internal team and client team members in advancing progress.
      • Coordinate meeting preparation and logistics for internal and external appointments.
      • Oversee client team members and/or contractual team members working on aspects of client work, including data gathering, report writing, meeting planning, etc.

      Research, Analysis and Presentation

      In many instances the Senior Consultant serves as the lead analyst of the primary and secondary research that forms the basis for much of the firm’s client work. Depending on the scope of the project, the Senior Consultant can be expected to perform some or all of the following functions:

      • Design, refine, and apply a rigorous, analytical, research approach to client situations to identify solutions that are grounded in evidence and experience.
      • Develop project timelines, work plans, schedule of deliverable deadlines.
      • Serve as the client-facing project manager and the front-line point of contact to client teams.
      • Conduct thematic and quantitative analyses to draw conclusions from data gathered.
      • Conduct interviews and lead roundtables, focus groups, and/or workshops.
      • Analyze and synthesize survey data. Design new ways to convey conclusions in creative visual ways and to supplement graphs, charts, and tables.
      • Review materials and reports provided by clients and colleagues as relates to fundraising function, strategic plans, governance, etc. and identify weaknesses or inconsistencies with best practices and/or organizational goals.
      • Serve as a principal writer of work product including research guides, presentations, work plans, case statements, interim and final reports, etc.
      • Design and author high-impact reports and presentations using crisp language and engaging data visualizations.
      • Research trends, changes in best practices, products, tools, etc. to inform and improve clients’ work and/or firm methodologies and recommendations.

      Sales and Marketing

      The Senior Consultant will support the firm’s business development and marketing activities, contributing to annual revenue and sales goals and authoring content in areas of expertise. In this capacity the Senior Consultant will:

      • Achieve established sales goals, leveraging networking opportunities to surface sales opportunities and accompanying team members on sales calls to close business opportunities.
      • Work with the Business Development team to prepare proposals, scopes of work, sales presentations, etc.
      • Work with sales leads and the Business Development team to design and price services for prospective clients.
      • Represent Alford Group at industry/social sector events and conferences.
      • Engage in some speaking/presentations on topics of expertise and create content marketing pieces (authoring blogs, presenting webinars, etc.).

      Qualifications

      Required:

      • Advanced degree or equivalent experience and/or CFRE or equivalent (ability to attain within two years from date of employment).
      • 10+ years relevant experience in the nonprofit sector including both paid and volunteer, or as a consultant to the nonprofit sector; management position preferred.
      • Proven ability in:
        • Verbal and written communication
        • Managing relationships with diverse people – both staff and volunteers
        • Managing a variety of projects and assignments to completion
        • Interacting with and engaging client toward action
        • Effective meeting planning and management for all meetings, including virtual and hybrid meetings
        • Demonstrating commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
        • Creative thinking and problem solving
        • Addressing challenges
        • Working independently
        • Continuous learner
      • Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for travel
      • Full COVID-19 vaccination required and all employees of Alford Group must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

      Desired:

      • Background in fundraising, marketing, organizational development and public speaking
      • Motivated and energetic individual
      • Experience serving on a Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization

      Position Details

      Compensation

      Base and variable pay between $90,000 to $100,000 based on experience.

      Confidential Data

      Our team members have access to sensitive, confidential information and are trusted to maintain these files and documents properly.

      Physical Demands

      The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

      • Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
      • Good hearing acuity (with adaptive aids if necessary).
      • Manual dexterity and skillful use of computer keyboard.
      • Physical exertion includes bending, pushing, standing, and walking. Must be able to move or lift approximately 15 pounds on occasion.

      Work Environment

      The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

      While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to stand, walk, and sit. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work.

      Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

      Please note: Currently virtual environment. Hybrid environment emerging. For Chicago based employees, inside, average office environment. Average office noise levels. No personal protective equipment required. Currently, working in a virtual environment due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

      Reports to:

      Vice President, Client Service and Innovation

      To apply:

      Please submit a cover letter, resume and two relevant writing samples (e.g. stewardship or impact report, donor communications, grant reports, business proposal, etc.) on our website here.

      Apply for this Position

      • Drop files here or
        Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 2.
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        • Drop files here or
          Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 2.
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