Managing Director, Advisory Leadership Team

Focus Partners; Walnut Creek (CA); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Focus Partners seeks a Managing Director, Advisory Leadership to guide 30+ wealth advisors in a hybrid, RIA setting. You will drive advisor performance, growth, client retention, and strategic planning in collaboration with the Division President.

You will partner across functions to advance divisional priorities, lead key initiatives, and ensure capacity planning, data-driven decisions, and excellent client outcomes. This exempt role offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• CFP®, CFA®, CPA, MBA, or other advanced professional designation preferred.
• 12+ years of experience within wealth management, including significant experience in an RIA environment.
• Significant leadership experience directly managing, coaching, developing, and influencing established wealth advisors with drive for accountability.
• Proven success driving advisor growth, business planning, performance accountability, talent development, and organizational performance.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives in a fast-paced setting.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage a team of 30+ wealth advisors, providing hands-on coaching and strategic guidance to support growth and performance.
• Drive advisor practice growth, client retention, business planning, and overall team performance.
• Conduct regular business reviews using metrics and data to evaluate progress and identify opportunities.
• Partner with advisors to strengthen business management, succession planning, and client experience adoption.
• Lead development of advisor skills and leadership capabilities aligned with the client experience framework.
• Promote consistency in advisory leadership and divisional priorities across the organization.
• Partner with Division President to set objectives, OKRs, and strategic priorities.
• Lead cross-divisional projects and enterprise initiatives to improve advisor effectiveness and scalability.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Strategic planning

Client experience

Performance management

Data-driven decision making

Financial services

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description 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 directly manages a team of 30+ established wealth advisors within an RIA environment, providing hands‑on coaching, accountability, and strategic guidance to support growth, client retention and business planning objectives.

Job Description 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 directly manages a team of 30+ established wealth advisors within an RIA environment, providing hands‑on coaching, accountability, and strategic guidance to support 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.

This position can be based out of the following locations on a hybrid basis: Menlo Park, CA, Walnut Creek, CA, or Bellevue, WA.

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

• Directly manage a team of 30+ established wealth advisors providing hands‑on coaching, accountability, and strategic guidance to support business growth, development, and performance.
• Drive advisor practice 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.
• Participate in the hiring and selection of Associate wealth advisors and other key advisory talent.
• 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, including significant experience in an RIA (Registered Investment Adviser) environment.
• Significant leadership experience directly managing, coaching, developing, and influencing established wealth advisors and high‑performing advisory teams, with a demonstrated ability to drive accountability through strong relationships.
• Demonstrated success driving advisor growth, business planning, performance accountability, 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 independent advisory business models, practice management, business planning, 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 $250,000–$350,000 base salary compensation range. 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.

Focus Partners is an organization of wealth, asset, and business management resources that brings strength, innovation, and partnership to client relationships. Through a comprehensive range of services, Focus Partners supports clients at every stage of life, helping them manage their financial future. Focus Partners uses research‑backed investment strategies to create custom‑built portfolios and delivers personalized wealth planning solutions to clients in all 50 states. Focus Partners is part of Focus, a leading financial services firm comprised of wealth management, family office, and business management services. To learn more about Focus, visit focuspartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

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.

EEO Statement

Focus is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment decisions on the employee or candidate’s skillset, 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]

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