Location: San Francisco, CA (Hybrid – 3 days in office)
Compensation:
- Base Salary: $130,000–$180,000 (depending on experience and credentials)
- Bonus: 10–25% based on client retention, engagement, and team contribution
- Business Development Incentive: Additional variable comp tied to new client revenue (typically 5–10% of first-year revenue or structured payout)
- Total Compensation Potential: $160,000–$250,000+
Our client is a highly respected, team-oriented wealth management firm with a strong track record of long-term client relationships and internal collaboration. The team is tenured, supportive, and genuinely enjoys working together. They take pride in delivering thoughtful, high-touch advice and celebrating wins as a group.
They are seeking a Lead Financial Advisor who can step into a meaningful client-facing role immediately, managing sophisticated relationships while contributing to the continued growth of the firm.
This is not a “build your own book” role. You will inherit and lead relationships, supported by a strong internal team, with the opportunity to grow organically over time.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of high-net-worth client relationships
- Lead client meetings, deliver comprehensive financial advice, and guide decision-making across planning areas
- Build trust quickly and maintain deep, long-term relationships with clients
- Collaborate closely with internal team members (planning, operations, client service) to deliver a seamless client experience
- Identify opportunities to deepen existing client relationships and support retention efforts
- Participate in business development efforts, primarily through referrals and natural relationship expansion (not cold prospecting)
- Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture
Qualifications:
- CFP designation required
- 7–15+ years of experience in wealth management or financial planning
- Proven ability to manage and advise high-net-worth or complex client relationships
- Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex topics
- Team-oriented mindset with a low-ego, collaborative approach
- Experience leading client meetings independently
- Business development mindset, with a natural ability to generate referrals and new opportunities
- Ability to work in-office in San Francisco three days per week
30 / 60 / 90 Day Plan (with Metrics)
First 30 Days
- Learn the firm’s client philosophy, service model, and planning approach
- Meet internal team members and understand roles/responsibilities
- Shadow client meetings and review existing client relationships
- Get up to speed on CRM, planning tools, and workflows
Metrics:
- Attend or shadow 15–25 client meetings
- Complete training/onboarding across all core systems (CRM, planning tools, reporting)
- Demonstrate understanding of top 20–30 client households (notes, plans, key details)
- Build internal relationships with all key team members
60 Days
- Begin co-leading and then leading select client meetings
- Take ownership of portions of client relationships with support
- Identify opportunities to enhance planning and client experience
- Establish consistent communication cadence with clients
Metrics:
- Co-lead or lead 10–15 client meetings
- Take partial ownership of 15–25 client households
- Identify at least 3–5 planning opportunities or client experience improvements
- Maintain 100% follow-up on client action items within agreed timelines
90 Days
- Fully own a segment of client relationships as the lead advisor
- Confidently lead client meetings and ongoing communication
- Begin contributing to organic growth through referrals and relationship expansion
- Be fully integrated into the team and contributing to overall client strategy
Metrics:
- Fully own 30–50 client relationships (depending on complexity)
- Lead 15–25 client meetings independently
- Generate 2–4 referral opportunities or new client introductions
- Maintain high client satisfaction (qualitative feedback from team and clients)
- Achieve near 100% retention across assigned client relationships