Lead, Collective Firm Payments & Advisory Programs

Equitable; City of Syracuse (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Equitable is seeking a seasoned collective-firm payment program specialist to join the Elite Advisor Group, driving on-boarding, eligibility, and compensation design. You will partner with Wealth Management, Finance, Technology, Legal, and Compliance to deliver accurate payments, robust governance, and scalable processes.

This hybrid role blends strategy with hands-on administration and data-driven analysis, in support of premier advisors.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of knowledge working with retail wealth management operations and advisor compensation programs, including GDC statements, PC statements, W-2 reporting, and 1099 reporting.
• Demonstrated understanding of advisor teaming structures, compensation methodologies, and financial modeling principles.
• Proven ability to design innovative solutions to complex business challenges while balancing operational, financial, and compliance considerations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary field‑facing SME for the Collective Firm Payment program, providing guidance on program eligibility, team structures, financial modeling, payment calculations, and ongoing administration.
• Lead the administration and ongoing development of firm‑level compensation and advisor teaming programs, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy, business objectives, and operational requirements.
• Manage and monitor the Collective Firm Payment shared mailbox, ensuring inquiries are addressed accurately, consistently, and within established service standards.
• Coordinate cross‑functional responses to complex or escalated matters involving program design, eligibility, financial modeling, compensation calculations, and policy interpretation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for new firm onboarding, existing firm maintenance, and participant updates.
• Manage program eligibility and onboarding activities for firms and individual participants, including tracking eligibility, team member changes, agreement execution, and payment setup.
• Identify newly qualified firms and coordinate startup discussions, financial modeling, agreement execution, and implementation to support annual program launches.
• Proactively partner with firm principals, leads, and team members to ensure timely completion of agreements, documentation, and other program requirements.
• Identify, document, and communicate exceptions to established processes to support accurate reporting, effective controls, and timely compensation payments.
• Lead the development, implementation, administration, and analysis of firm‑level compensation and teaming programs that support business objectives and the advisor experience.
• Design and enhance compensation programs through financial modeling, payment calculations, trend and cost analysis, and compensation package design.
• Analyze existing business processes and identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, controls, scalability, and overall program effectiveness.
• Partner with business stakeholders to identify operational challenges, develop solutions, and implement sustainable process improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that streamline cross‑functional workflows, reduce manual intervention, and strengthen the end‑to‑end administration of firm‑level compensation programs.
• Partner closely with Wealth Management, Field Compensation, Finance, Technology, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and other key stakeholders to implement compensation programs, enhancements, and process improvements.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen compensation reporting, payment reconciliation, financial transparency, and internal control processes.
• Develop reporting and reconciliation enhancements that reduce balance sheet exposure, minimize manual intervention, and improve operational efficiency.
• Provide strategic consultation and subject matter expertise on compensation programs, policy interpretation, and complex advisor payment matters.
• Advise management on policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives impacting firm‑level compensation and advisor teaming programs.
• Develop, maintain, and administer program documentation and communications, including agreements, contracts, schedules, operating procedures, field bulletins, guidelines, and educational materials.
• Ensure program documentation remains current, compliant, and aligned with business and regulatory requirements.
• Provide ongoing education, training, and support to operations teams, administrative staff, advisors, and leadership regarding Collective Firm Payment and related compensation programs.
• Build strong relationships with Financial Professionals, field leaders, and internal business partners through proactive communication, collaboration, and trusted partnership.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and resource to stakeholders across all levels of the organization.

Skills

Collective Firm Payment SME

Program administration

Financial modeling

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Equitable is seeking a seasoned collective-firm payment program specialist to join the Elite Advisor Group, driving on-boarding, eligibility, and compensation design. You will partner with Wealth Management, Finance, Technology, Legal, and Compliance to deliver accurate payments, robust governance, and scalable processes.

This hybrid role blends strategy with hands-on administration and data-driven analysis, in support of premier advisors.