Position Summary:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key executive leader responsible for overseeing daily operations, strengthening organizational infrastructure, and driving strategic initiatives that support the this successful growing wealth management firm’s mission of delivering exceptional wealth management, financial planning, and investment advisory services. This role partners closely with the Executive Leadership Board and leadership team to design and implement scalable systems, cultivate a high-performance culture, and position the firm for long-term sustainable growth.
The COO will oversee firm operations, human capital, technology strategy, financial/operational reporting, compliance coordination, and the client experience infrastructure. This individual must be an experienced, strategic, people-centric leader with deep knowledge of operational demands of a growing firm with multiple offices.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Design:
- Partner with executive leadership to develop, refine, and execute the firm’s strategic plan.
- Translate strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, organizational structures, KPIs, and measurable outcomes.
- Ensure operational alignment across wealth management, financial planning, investment management, client service, and compliance.
- Guide change management efforts to support innovation, scalability, and growth.
- Promote and model firm culture, values, and leadership standards across all levels.
Business Operations & Administration:
- Serve as the primary leader for day-to-day firm operations and administrative functions.
- Build, enhance, and document firmwide processes, workflows, and procedures ensuring efficiency, accountability, and scalability.
- Own all operational systems and technology infrastructure; identify and implement new technologies to improve data flow, efficiency, and client experience.
- Oversee business metrics, dashboards, and operational reporting to support data-driven decision making.
- Oversee facilities, office operations, vendor management, and resource allocation.
- Ensure seamless integration and communication across departments and functions.
Client Experience & Service Infrastructure:
- Ensure the firm’s premier client experience model is consistently executed across teams.
- Implement systems for accurate, timely information flow between advisory, planning, investment, and client service teams.
- Collaborate with marketing and advisory teams to enhance client communications, deliverables, and brand consistency.
- Support technology-enabled improvements in client engagement, reporting, and service delivery.
Strategic Growth Initiatives:
- Partner with leadership to develop and pursue strategic growth initiatives.
- Oversee onboarding processes for new employees, teams, advisors, and acquired clients/practices to ensure smooth and timely transitions.
- Coordinate cross-functional efforts (marketing, technology, compliance, operations) to expand the firm’s national presence, influence, and service capabilities.
- Stay current on industry trends, competitor strategies, and emerging technologies to inform firmwide planning.
Core Competencies:
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Strategic Thinking & Agility – Ability to anticipate trends, design long-term solutions, and execute effectively.
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Operational Excellence – Deep understanding of systems design, process optimization, and scalable infrastructure.
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Leadership & People Development – Inspires trust & creates accountability.
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Client-Centric Mindset – Ensures operational decisions reinforce a premier client experience.
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Technology & Data Savvy – Comfortable evaluating and implementing tech solutions.
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Change Management – Leads transformational initiatives with clarity and confidence.
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Interpersonal Skill & Executive Presence – Communicates clearly and works effectively across all levels.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field required; MBA preferred.
- 10+ years of operations and leadership experience, ideally within wealth management or financial services.
- Proven success scaling organizations, leading cross-functional teams, and managing through growth.
- Strong understanding of workflows, compliance, and client service models.
- Demonstrated ability to build systems, manage complexity, and drive measurable results.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and executive leadership skills.
- Desire to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, high-performance environment.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
- Comprehensive insurance package.
- Retirement plan with company match; potential for equity or profit sharing.
- Generous PTO and flexible work arrangements.
- Professional development and continuing education support.