Director of Financial Planning & Practice Development

Director role overseeing all financial planning and practice development activities for Private Wealth Management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the team of financial planning professionals across the business.
• Partner with Advisors, Managing Partners, and practice teams on driving practice efficiencies and growth strategies.
• Grow the number of planning engagements (both personal and business) in Private Wealth.
• Support practice teams in the development and execution of their business plans regarding sales goals and other KPIs.
• Integrate a planning-led approach across all advisor practices.
• Set the strategic direction and establish priorities for the ongoing growth of financial planning and practice development.
• Manage the annual budget and execution of the business transformation plan for the function.
• Establish KPIs for the function to measure and monitor success.
• Align resources in the function with the annual operating plan and drive hiring needs in partnership with human resources.
• Manage team and practice performance across the function, working with managers to regularly update the associate 9-box and develop specific professional development plans for each associate.
• Implement and manage a learning and development program to ensure all financial planning associates and advisors adopt industry best practices.
• Meet regularly with direct reports and managing partners to proactively understand trends, risks, and opportunities to deliver financial planning solutions to clients.
• Provide practice assessments and drive practice growth and efficiencies to maximize overall business health scores.
• Provide ongoing support and accountability to Managing Partners in key areas of practice management, including client experience, business growth, establishing a clear vision and strategy, and strong business and financial management.
• Work with internal business partners to ensure the highest level of support and service for Advisors.
• Direct and orchestrate the delivery of comprehensive analysis and advice for both personal and business planning to Private Wealth clients.
• Engage Managing Partners and practice teams in the adoption and integration of firm technologies and resources.
• Assist in the recruiting, onboarding, and assimilation of new wealth advisors.
• Routinely review financial planning outputs to ensure quality of financial advice, client experience, maximize scale, and minimize risk.
• Partner with the business analysis team and IT to implement technology solutions to improve client experience, quality of financial advice, and drive operational scale.
• Design, implement, and monitor specific programs aimed at increasing client retention and engagement (wallet share).
• Proactively identify new service offerings and growth opportunities based on client interactions and input from team managers.
• Ensure a well-defined financial planning process, including meeting preparation, meeting presentation, and client follow-up within each advisor practice.
• Document, deliver, and enforce sufficient controls to prevent financial planning errors, breaches of client confidentiality, or omissions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or a combination of education and experience that provides an equivalent background.
• 10+ years of applicable experience within Financial Services.
• 3+ years of demonstrated functional leadership experience within a wealth management institution.
• CFP or advanced designation.
• Must have, or possess the ability to obtain, the Series 65 registration within 120 days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated financial advisor or wealth management sales experience.

Skills

• Systems thinking and complex problem solving.
• Attention to detail, yet ability to grasp the big picture.
• Highly organized and can effectively multi-task.
• Great communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong knowledge of investment, tax, and estate planning strategies.
• Knack for understanding how technology can improve client experiences and front office operational processes.
• Experience in designing and managing financial planning processes.
• Proven experience in working with advisor practices to drive organic growth.
• Proficiency in analyzing business processes and client journeys, and working with others to drive change.
• Able to balance a client experience mindset when managing and controlling business risks.
• Builder and communicator of analytical frameworks that define and measure success.
• Demonstrated strong math skills.
• Effective financial research skills.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Strong proficiency with eMoney client portal and financial planning software.

Work Environment

Office-centric (60% in office) located in Downtown Kansas City or Leawood, KS.

Supervision & Management

• Responsible for managing other managers within the function.
• Performs considerable short and long-term planning, scheduling, and coordinating of resources.
• Responsible for the growth and development of direct reports.
• Accountable for assisting with the planning and management of the budget, including delivery of end results for the function.

Pay

Compensation range: $176,796 - $260,029.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off.
• 401(k) matching program.
• Annual incentive pay.
• Paid holidays.
• Comprehensive company-sponsored benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage.
• Health savings, flexible spending, and dependent care accounts.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Associate wellbeing program.
• Associate emergency fund.
• Various associate banking benefits.