Growth & Development Manager, Virtual Advice - Hybrid

About the role

This role is critical in leading a local team of nationally licensed advisors who serve clients across all 50 states. The Growth & Development Manager ensures both individual and team performance goals are met or exceeded, with a strong focus on financial advice and deepening client relationships to drive sales and productivity. The position plays a key role in driving business outcomes while cultivating a highly productive, mission-driven, and team-oriented culture. The manager is instrumental in launching team-oriented advisors at scale and growing talent through cross-channel career pathing.

This manager will interact with key field partners, including Market Directors, Developers, and Area Vice Presidents, and will maintain a matrixed relationship with the Advice Team. They must have a deep understanding of customer needs, the organization’s member philosophy, and service standards to effectively lead their team in delivering a consistent, positive client experience. The role involves addressing work standards, process improvements, and employee performance, particularly in relation to ease of doing business, channel conflicts, client service, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support building the local culture within the market in collaboration with local leadership, integrating virtual advice advisors into their local market.
• Conduct daily and weekly coaching sessions, both on-site and virtually, to enhance consultative sales skills and support advisors in delivering effective, advice-based recommendations.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills through case work and occasionally joining client calls to support your team, exemplifying leadership from the front.
• Drive alignment with organizational objectives by conducting business planning and managing performance expectations.
• Contribute to key decision-making processes and operate in line with budgetary decisions.
• Interview and select talent to align with team staffing expectations.
• Deliver onboarding and training that accelerates productivity and skill development.
• Enhance the effectiveness of the client experience by regularly delivering ongoing feedback and coaching.
• Ensure effective implementation of the organization’s advice strategy, client service models, and a consistent approach to practice management.
• Facilitate career pathing and long-term development conversations to drive engagement and retention.
• Collaborate with organizational leaders to exchange best practices, strengthen leadership effectiveness, boost hiring referrals, enhance employee engagement, and drive overall sales growth.
• Partner with key stakeholders, including virtual advice leadership, training, and human resources, to enhance the performance of the virtual advisor team and support their success in achieving sales targets and career objectives.
• Select, develop, and retain a high-performing team while promoting a culture of shared accountability, operational excellence, and partnership across the organization.
• Model the organization’s leadership competencies: Model the Way, Rally the Team, and Deliver Outcomes.
• Support and/or develop an environment focused on continuous improvement, exceptional employee engagement, and an unwavering commitment to clients.
• Shape and/or support a culture that represents the organization’s purpose, promise, and values, ensuring trust and reputation remain strong with clients.
• Implement process improvements, which may vary in complexity and require collaboration with legal, field supervision, compliance, processing, and other departments.
• Communicate decisions, requests, and updates to Virtual Advisors and the Virtual Advice Leadership team in a timely manner, often within hours or days.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Prior financial advisor experience and multiple years leading a team of eight or more.
• Must be eligible for Securities and Insurance licensing in all states and D.C.; possession of FINRA Series 7 and 63/65 or 66, along with Life/Health Insurance licenses, is preferred and must be obtained within 120 days of hire/transfer.
• Experience in financial planning, investment, and insurance products, along with consultative sales models (e.g., Integrity Selling).
• Proven ability to lead change in a fast-paced environment and collaborate within a team to achieve results.
• Strong belief in the organization’s core values and mission, with a driven, client-centric, and results-oriented mindset.
• Excellent communication, organizational skills, and an outgoing, positive, and empathetic demeanor.
• Experience working in a virtual or hybrid working environment.
• Strong cultural awareness and relationship-building skills, with the ability to coach, develop, and grow financial advisors serving diverse community segments.
• Demonstrated success adapting leadership and development approaches to meet the needs of financial advisors and clients from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Designation (CFP®, ChFC, or CLU).
• Salesforce experience.
• Familiarity with Money Guide Pro or similar planning tools.

Pay

The applicable salary or hourly wage range for this full-time role is $94,389.00 - $127,703.00 per year, which factors in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will be determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, location, relevant experience, skills, and knowledge, business needs, market demand, and other factors.

Benefits

• Various bonuses (including annual or long-term incentives).
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings account.
• Flexible spending account.
• 401k and pension plans.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Supplemental protection insurance.
• 20 days of Paid Time Off each year.
• Sick and Safe Time.
• 10 paid company holidays.
• Volunteer Time Off.
• Paid parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Well-being benefits.

Eligibility for receipt of these benefits is subject to the applicable plan/policy documents. Thrivent’s plans/policies are subject to change at any time at Thrivent’s discretion.