Managing Director, Advisory Leadership Team

Focus Financial Partners; Edison (CA); Hybrid; USD 275,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus Financial Partners is seeking a Managing Director on the Advisory Leadership Team in the United States (California) to drive advisor performance, growth, client retention, and business planning. The role partners with the Division President to set priorities and guide strategic initiatives while leading key projects and organizational improvements across the division.

The position supports a hybrid work model—3 days in office per week with up to 2 remote days—fostering collaboration and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• CFP®, CFA®, CPA, MBA, or other advanced professional designation preferred.
• 12+ years of experience within wealth management, financial services, or a related industry.
• Significant leadership experience coaching and influencing experienced advisors, leaders, and high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated success driving advisor growth, business planning, talent development, and organizational performance.
• Proven experience partnering on strategic initiatives, leading cross-functional projects, and successfully executing complex business priorities.
• Experience leading through change and contributing to organizational transformation efforts.
• Strong understanding of advisory business models, practice management, capacity planning, and resource allocation.
• Experience utilizing business metrics, performance reporting, and analytics to support strategic decision making.
• Exceptional communication, relationship management, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to travel approximately 25%.

Responsibilities

• Lead advisor growth, client retention, and business planning across designated practices.
• Drive advisor performance and organizational effectiveness with data-informed decisions.
• Partner with the Division President to set divisional priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee capacity planning, budget oversight, and resource allocation for the division.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and client-focused outcomes.
• Represent the division in leadership discussions and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Advisor coaching

Strategic partnership

Data-driven decisions

Resource planning

Change management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced professional designation preferred

Job description

Position Summary

The Managing Director, Advisory Leadership Team serves as a senior leader within the advisory organization, responsible for driving advisor performance, business growth, organizational effectiveness, and the consistent delivery of the Focus Partners client experience. This role serves as a strategic partner to advisors and advisory teams while directly supporting a designated group of advisors in achieving growth, client retention, and business planning objectives.

In addition to advisor leadership responsibilities, the Managing Director partners closely with the Division President to establish divisional priorities, advance strategic initiatives, and support long-term business planning efforts. The role plays a critical part in connecting firm objectives, divisional priorities, and advisor execution by leading key projects, driving organizational improvements, utilizing data‑informed decision making, and supporting effective capacity and resource planning across the division.

As a senior member of the division leadership team, the Managing Director serves as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Division President, helping shape strategy, advance organizational priorities, and drive execution across the division. This role may serve as the Division President's delegate and representative in leadership discussions, cross‑functional initiatives, and strategic projects as needed.

Focus provides team members the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule. Our hybrid model is defined as 3 days in office work required per week, while giving team members the option to work remotely 2 days per week, or as assigned by their team leader.

Primary Responsibilities

• Advisor Leadership & Business Performance
  • Serve as the primary leadership partner for a designated group of advisors and advisory teams, providing coaching, accountability, and strategic guidance.
  • Drive advisor growth, client retention, business planning, and overall team performance across assigned practices.
  • Conduct regular business reviews and performance discussions, leveraging practice metrics and business data to evaluate progress and identify opportunities.
  • Partner with advisors to strengthen business management, succession planning, team effectiveness, and adoption of the Focus Partners client experience.
  • Drive the ongoing development of advisor skills, leadership capabilities, and best practices aligned with the Focus Partners client experience framework.
  • Promote consistency in advisory leadership, business planning, and advisor development practices across the division.
• Division Strategy & Organizational Leadership
  • Partner directly with the Division President to establish divisional objectives, long‑term business plans, annual operating goals, and strategic priorities.
  • Support the development and execution of divisional OKRs and key business initiatives.
  • Lead strategic projects and organizational initiatives designed to improve advisor effectiveness, increase scalability, and strengthen business performance.
  • Participate in cross‑divisional initiatives and enterprise efforts that advance firm‑wide priorities and organizational transformation objectives.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the Division President by providing insight regarding advisor trends, leadership opportunities, organizational challenges, and growth initiatives.
  • Serve as the Division President's delegate and representative in leadership discussions, strategic initiatives, and cross‑functional efforts as needed.
• Capacity Planning & Operational Excellence
  • Maintain a disciplined approach to advisor capacity and resource planning, utilizing data and business metrics to support workforce decisions and sustainable growth.
  • Leverage performance analytics and practice management metrics to monitor results, identify trends, and support data‑driven decision making.
  • Oversee office‑level advisory budgets and help ensure resources are effectively aligned with divisional priorities.
  • Serve as the primary owner of advisor‑related business exceptions, including discounting requests, trade errors, and similar matters requiring leadership oversight and resolution.
  • Partner with Operations, Service, Compliance, Technology, and other business functions to improve advisor effectiveness and enhance client outcomes.
  • Support the onboarding, integration, and transition of advisors, teams, and firms joining the organization.
  • Encourage the adoption of technology, tools, processes, and best practices that improve efficiency, consistency, and business results.
• Leadership & Culture
  • Act as a culture ambassador across the advisory community by promoting collaboration, accountability, and alignment with firm values.
  • Facilitate conflict resolution and help drive productive outcomes across advisors, teams, and business partners.
  • Collaborate with advisory leaders and other stakeholders to ensure consistency in advisor support and execution of divisional priorities.
  • Represent the division in leadership forums, Advisory Council activities, and other strategic leadership initiatives.
  • Support the development of future leaders and contribute to succession planning efforts across the advisory organization.
  • Foster an inclusive, high‑performing environment focused on advisor success and exceptional client outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• CFP®, CFA®, CPA, MBA, or other advanced professional designation preferred.
• 12+ years of experience within wealth management, financial services, or a related industry.
• Significant leadership experience coaching and influencing experienced advisors, leaders, and high‑performing teams.
• Demonstrated success driving advisor growth, business planning, talent development, and organizational performance.
• Proven experience partnering on strategic initiatives, leading cross‑functional projects, and successfully executing complex business priorities.
• Experience leading through change and contributing to organizational transformation efforts.
• Strong understanding of advisory business models, practice management, capacity planning, and resource allocation.
• Experience utilizing business metrics, performance reporting, and analytics to support strategic decision making.
• Exceptional communication, relationship management, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution in a fast‑paced and evolving environment.
• Ability to travel approximately 25%.

This position is an exempt position. The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $275,000 - $350,000 per year. Actual base pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant’s skill set. The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package. Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k). Please note that the job title is subject to change based on the selected candidate’s experience and education.

About Focus Financial Partners

Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client‑first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Focus is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment decisions on the employee or candidate’s skill set, and without regard to an employee or candidate’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state and/or federal law.

Focus complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Legal Compliance Information (U.S. Only)

For California Applicants: Information on your California privacy rights can be found here

For Indiana Applicants: It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard, or a member of a reserve component.

For Maryland Applicants: Under Maryland law, an employer may not require or demand, as a condition of employment, that any individual submit to or take a polygraph or similar test. An employer who violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not exceeding $100.

For Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39‑2‑901.

For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29‑38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation. The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.