Sr Director, Wealth Strategy & Operations

About the role

The Senior Director, Wealth Enablement & Operations is a senior leadership role within the Wealth Management division, reporting directly to the Head of Wealth Management. This role is responsible for driving strategic execution, operational effectiveness, technology enablement, and scalable growth across the wealth business.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Serve as a key operational and strategic leader across the wealth business, helping align people, process, technology, risk and financial priorities.
• Evaluate, recommend, and help implement wealth technology platforms, tools, and integrations.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce manual work, improve data quality, and strengthen operations across the Wealth line of business.
• Supports strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, capacity planning, and business case development for wealth initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor practices, regulatory developments, client expectations, and emerging technologies impacting wealth.
• Drive change management efforts related to new technology, process changes, organizational initiatives, and business transformation.
• Prepare executive-level presentations, recommendations, and status updates for senior management as needed.
• Lead, coach, and influence teams directly or indirectly, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvements.
• Represent wealth management in enterprise initiatives that affect systems, data, digital capabilities, client experience, risk management, or operating processes.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Operations or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Significant experience in wealth management, financial services, banking, investment advisory, trust, brokerage, or related business operations.
• Demonstrated understanding of wealth management business models, advisor workflows, client service models, investment operations, fiduciary considerations, and revenue drivers.
• Strong knowledge of wealth technology platforms and ecosystem components, including CRM, portfolio management, performance reporting, trading, financial planning, and client-facing tools.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence senior leaders, peers, business partners, and vendors.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, judgement, and integrity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Masters degree in Business Administration, Finance, Technology, or a related field.
• Experience supporting or leading a wealth management technology transformation, platform conversion, system integration, or digital modernization initiative.
• Experience leading teams, managing through influence, and driving changes across organization.

Level of Complexity and Scope

Responsible for helping shape and execute the division's strategic priorities, operating model, technology roadmap, and performance management framework. Influences decisions that may affect revenue growth, operating efficiency, client satisfaction, and long-term scalability. Serves as primary liaison between Wealth Management and enterprise partners on major initiatives. Operates in a highly complex, regulated financial environment with multiple stakeholders, systems, products, and service models. Regularly manages ambiguity, competing priorities, interdependencies, and time-sensitive initiatives.

Required Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages a team which may include business management, operations, platform support, project management, process improvement, reporting, or technology enablement resources.
• Provides leadership, coaching, direction, and performance management to direct reports.
• Sets team priorities, goals, and performance expectations in alignment with Wealth Management strategy and business objectives.
• Conducts regular 1:1 meetings, team meetings, and development discussions.
• Fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, client focus, and strong risk management.

Physical Requirements

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment or hybrid work setting. Requires the ability to communicate clearly in person, by phone, and through virtual meeting platforms. May require occasional travel to corporate offices, regional locations, client events, vendor meetings, conferences, or business partner sites. Must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, including meetings, deadlines, presentations, and deliverables.

Compliance Statement

The associate is responsible for meeting all compliance requirements imposed on First Financial Bank by State and Federal law and regulation, as well as all related First Financial Bank policies and procedures. This includes all Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC and Suspicious Activity reporting requirements, as well as all other lending and deposit compliance requirements.

Development and Training

Pay Range: $220,000/year to $250,000/year
Benefits: We have relevant, thoughtful benefits and programs that support every aspect of our associates' holistic wellbeing. Please review our Benefits Guide.
Incentive Eligibility: All roles are incentive eligible with the exception of Co-Op, Intern, or Student positions.

EEO Statement

We are an E-Verify Employer. At first financial bank, our mission is clear: to be the best bank to do business with, the best place to work, and the best financial partner for our shareholders and the communities we serve. We believe that how we work is just as important as what we achieve. That’s why we’re guided by core values that shape everything we do: Doing the right thing Teamwork Mutual respect Wellbeing Excellence Our success starts with our people. We know that when our associates are talented, engaged, and supported, they create outstanding results. If you're looking to be part of a team that values integrity, inclusion, and collaboration—and where your growth matters—you’ll find your future here.