Strategic Product Consultant – Retirement Advice

Requisition Number: 80964

Position Title:

External Description:

Role Summary

The Strategic Product Consultant executes against two primary RPS Strategic Imperatives – (1) acquiring target clients and (2) client retention. The incumbent provides critical deal-specific support by positioning and articulating the technology offer, product offer, plan sponsor experience, and participant communications experience as well as our innovation strategy during new business and rebid opportunities.

A primary responsibility of this role is to present and position our advice offering(s) during client meetings, including those with prospects, advisors, plan sponsors and participants, clearly articulating its value proposition, differentiation, and impact on participant outcomes.  The role also supports key business metrics related to participant adoption and engagement with advice services, leveraging client-facing insights to help drive increased utilization and measurable impact.

In addition, the role may support the go-to-market strategy for the advice offering, working closely with Product, Marketing, Sales, Client Services and other cross-functional partners to develop, refine, and evolve the most clear and effective way to describe, position, and deliver the offering in market. Through this collaboration and direct client engagement, the incumbent plays a key role in influencing messaging, presentation strategy, and overall market positioning via B2B and B2C audiences.

By collaborating with internal partners, the incumbent is expected to plan, prepare, and execute for sales finals/semi-finals; leading to the conversion of new and retention of existing retirement plan relationships. Strategic Product Consultants serving in this capacity require a high degree of consultative and presentation skills to sell to both prospect and clients. In addition, Strategic Product Consultants demonstrates deep industry knowledge, the RPS product offer, latest technology innovations, and product technical expertise of 401(k) RPS full-service, investment only, record-keeping only and total retirement outsourcing services. This role works with all sales opportunities from micro to the most complex and strategic. The incumbent will generally work with existing large market clients.  The Strategic Product Consultant will also use his/her client facing role to develop and influence product strategies across RPS Product & Marketing.

Responsibilities

• Interactions with Clients/Prospects/Advisors – This position is responsible for representing the technology offer, product offer, plan sponsor experience, and participant experience as well as our innovation strategy during new business and rebid opportunities during sales finals/semi-finals, including new business and rebids. The Strategic Product Consultant must be well-versed in all aspects of the product offering for both participants and plan sponsors and able to present this information effectively to Plan Sponsors. Preparation for each individual prospect and client meeting is also critical and requires a structured process in order to be strategic with the approach to each meeting. This role acts as a key leader/participant in the sales planning process. This role strategizes with the Relationship Manager and Sales Team to determine the approach for each deal and how to tailor the presentation approach to best align with each client’s situation.
• Internal Influence – The Strategic Product Consultant synthesizes and interprets client feedback to help develop and influence the Product Roadmap and overall portfolio of RPS Products and Services. This role acts as internal advisor and information conduit to/from Clients, Advisors, Communications Consultants, Product team, Marketing leadership, Relationship Management and Sales to understand and optimize processes, content, organizational changes, and client sentiment.  
• Competitive and Client-Specific Knowledge – The Strategic Product Consultant develops an understanding of clients’ business and industry to enhance the ability to work as a strategic partner and the deal team strategy as well as goals for current clients. Maintains a broad external competitive view of market best practices and identifies ways to leverage this information when consulting with prospects and advisors on implementation of strategies.  Utilizes information gathered from clients, prospects, and advisors to influence broader practices within RPS. 

Qualifications

Required:

• FINRA licenses Series 65
• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of related work experience, or
• Associate’s degree and 6 years related work experience, or
• High School diploma/equivalent and 8 years related work experience
• Flexible with travel as incumbent will travel typically 70-80% of the time
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and interpersonal) with the ability to effectively communicate with individuals at all levels.
• Flexible style with the ability to assess people and quickly understand their preferences and style in receiving information.
• Demonstrated ability to understand an individual’s stated and unstated needs and respond appropriately to those needs
• Excellent organizational, time management and follow-through skills
• Advanced knowledge of T. Rowe Price Retirement products and services
• Experience working with plan sponsors and advisors.
• In-depth knowledge of retirement plans
• Works well in a deadline-driven environment
• Displays strong problem solving and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to design and deliver presentations
• Possesses strong negotiation skills
• Solid attention to detail
• Ability to influence others across a wide array of functions
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment

Preferred:

• College degree and 10+ years of retirement industry experience, particularly within Marketing, Product, Communications or Client Services. 
• 5-7 years of experience managing complex client work and/or providing oversight of strategic projects or product development 
• Operational knowledge of defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans and applicable laws.
• Previous consulting experience
• Demonstrated ability to influence strategic planning initiatives and provide an integrated point-of-view, driven by in-depth customer, competitive and marketing understanding and insights, to help formulate short- and long-term business strategies.
• FINRA Designation

FINRA Requirements

FINRA licenses are required and will be supported for this role.

Work Flexibility

This role is eligible for full time remote work.

City:

State:

Community / Marketing Title: Strategic Product Consultant – Retirement Advice

Company Profile:

Location_formattedLocationLong: Maryland, US

CountryEEOText_Description: Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We strive for equity, equality, and opportunity for all associates. When we embrace the power of diversity and create an environment where people can bring their authentic and best selves to work, our firm is stronger, and we create greater value for our clients. Our commitment and inclusive programming aim to lift the experience for each associate and builds allies for our global associate community. We know that a sense of belonging is key not only to your success at the firm, but also to your ability to bring your best each day. Benefits: We invest in our people through a wide range of programs and benefits, including: • Competitive pay and bonuses as well as a generous retirement plan and employee stock purchase plan with matching contributions • Flexible and remote work opportunities • Health care benefits (medical, dental, vision) • Tuition assistance • Wellness programs (fitness reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program) Our policies may change as our working lives evolve. Yet, our commitment to supporting our associates’ well-being and addressing the needs of our clients, business, and communities is unwavering. T. Rowe Price is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity of thought, gender, and race. We believe our continued success depends upon the equal treatment of all associates and applicants for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, military or veteran status, pregnancy, or any other classification protected by country, federal, state, or local law.