Financial Advisory - Lead Advisor

Kestra Financial; Fairfield (NJ); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Financial Services is seeking a Lead Advisor to manage and strengthen client relationships, deliver financial planning and investment advice, and actively develop new business for the firm.

The role serves as the primary advisor for assigned clients and aims to expand relationships through planning, asset consolidation, and referrals. The position collaborates with service advisors, associate advisors, operations, and investment resources to provide a seamless client experience and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in financial services, wealth management, or advisory roles.
• Experience preparing and presenting financial plans, working with investment recommendations, and managing client relationships.
• Experience with CRM, financial planning software, and custodian or portfolio platforms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned client relationships and maintain strong, trusted relationships over time.
• Prepare for and conduct client meetings, including discovery, planning, review, onboarding, and follow-up conversations.
• Understand each client’s unique circumstances, needs, goals, and priorities and translate those needs into clear planning and service actions.
• Document client interactions, meeting notes, recommendations, and follow-up items in CRM.
• Proactively deepen client relationships, consolidate outside assets, ask for referrals where appropriate, and identify new business opportunities that contribute to measurable firm growth.
• Develop and maintain a consistent prospecting pipeline, including prospective clients, centers of influence, referrals, and other business development opportunities aligned with the firm’s growth objective.

Skills

Client-focused

Strong communication

Time management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, Economics, Business, or related discipline

Tools

SIE

Series 7/66

CFP/CFA

CRM systems

Financial planning software

Custodian platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lead with Purpose. Partner with Impact.

At U.S. Financial Services the Lead Advisor is responsible for managing and strengthening client relationships, delivering financial planning and investment advice, and actively developing new business for the firm. This role serves as the primary advisor for assigned client relationships and is expected to build a pipeline of qualified prospects, convert opportunities into client relationships, and expand existing client relationships through thoughtful planning, asset consolidation, and referrals. The Lead Advisor works collaboratively with service advisors, associate advisors, operations, and investment resources to provide a seamless client experience while taking direct ownership of relationship growth and new business development.

What You’ll Do:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned client relationships and maintain strong, trusted relationships over time
• Prepare for and conduct client meetings, including discovery, planning, review, onboarding, and follow-up conversations
• Understand each client’s unique circumstances, needs, goals, and priorities and translate those needs into clear planning and service actions
• Document client interactions, meeting notes, recommendations, and follow-up items in CRM
• Proactively deepen client relationships, consolidate outside assets, ask for referrals where appropriate, and identify new business opportunities that contribute to measurable firm growth
• Develop and maintain a consistent prospecting pipeline, including prospective clients, centers of influence, referrals, and other business development opportunities aligned with the firm’s growth objective

Financial Planning and Advisor

• Gather client information, review planning assumptions, and deliver financial planning recommendations aligned with client objective
• Coordinate financial planning, investment management, insurance, estate, tax, and other advisory considerations with appropriate internal and external professionals
• Present financial plans, planning updates, investment recommendations, and client meeting materials
• Research planning and investment issues and communicate recommendations clearly and professionally
• Monitor and update client plans and portfolios based on changing circumstances, life events, and firm guidance

Portfolio and Implementation Support

• Work with investment and operations teams to implement approved investment recommendations, trades, account openings, transfers, and rebalancing activities
• Ensure client onboarding and transition activities are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with firm processes
• Review client reports, statements, planning summaries, and meeting materials for accuracy and clarity
• Follow through on client requests and coordinate internal resources to resolve questions or issues

Team Collaboration and Practice Suppor

• Collaborate with Service Advisors, Associate Advisors, client service, operations, and planning team members to deliver consistent client service
• Provide coaching and guidance to less experienced team members on client preparation, planning quality, and professional communication
• Participate in client and prospect events, firm initiatives, and process improvement efforts
• Support a positive team culture grounded in accountability, professionalism, and client care

What You Bring:

• SIE, Series 7/66 preferred or must be obtained within 12 months
• CFP® or CFA required
• Additional licenses may be required based on state and additional role requirement
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, Economics, Business, or related discipline
• Minimum 5 years of experience in financial services, wealth management, or advisory roles
• Experience preparing and presenting financial plans, working with investment recommendations, and managing client relationships
• Experience with Microsoft Office required; experience with CRM, financial planning software, and custodian or portfolio platforms preferred
• Client-focused professional with strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to confidentiality and delivering high-quality, collaborative client experience
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise accountability, and follow through effectively in a fast-paced team environment