Managing Director - Wealth Management - Strategy and Operations

CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC; Irvine, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonuses

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

CLA is seeking a Managing Director – Wealth Strategy & Operations to partner with the Chief Wealth Officer, shaping strategic priorities and driving cross-functional initiatives across the Wealth Advisory practice.

The role leads business transformation, growth, profitability, advisor productivity, and organizational scalability, turning complex challenges into actionable solutions with measurable results. California market focus with discretionary bonus potential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience required.
• Bachelor's degree required; combination of experience and training may be accepted in lieu of a degree (Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field highly preferred).
• FINRA Series 7, 24, and 65 licenses required (or equivalent).
• CFP designation preferred.
• Leadership experience in Wealth Advisory, wealth management, or financial services, with a proven record of transforming operations and driving growth.
• Proven success leading complex strategic initiatives involving wealth advisory, operating model design, growth strategy, and organizational effectiveness.
• Experience within an RIA, wealth management firm, broker-dealer, private wealth platform, or wealth advisory consulting firm; client segmentation, pricing strategy, advisor productivity and transformation initiatives experience required.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the Chief Wealth Officer to evaluate opportunities and drive strategic priorities of CLA Wealth Advisory.
• Lead cross-functional projects from assessment to implementation and adoption.
• Develop business cases, financial analyses, and strategic recommendations.
• Advise on business strategy, operating models, and organizational design to improve client experience and advisor productivity.
• Drive growth, transformation, profitability, and scalability across the Wealth business.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Executive communication

Wealth advisory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field

Tools

FINRA Series 7, 24, 65 licenses

CFP designation

Job description

CLA is currently seeking a Managing Director – Wealth Strategy & Operations

Why This Role Matters

The next era of Wealth Advisory at CLA is being built right now, and this role will help shape what comes next. The Managing Director serves as a strategic advisor and operations partner to the Chief Wealth Officer, helping shape and advance the strategic priorities of CLA Wealth Advisory. This leader drives high-impact initiatives involving business transformation, growth, profitability, advisor effectiveness, and organizational scalability. Combining strategic thinking, executive influence, and operational discipline, this role turns complex business challenges into actionable solutions and measurable results.

What Makes the CLA Platform Distinctive

Unlike traditional RIAs, CLA's Wealth Advisory practice is one of the nation’s largest wealth management firms operating inside one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S., creating unique opportunities to collaborate across tax, consulting, outsourcing, valuation, and other advisory services while delivering comprehensive solutions to clients. This role will help shape and execute many of the initiatives that define the future of the business.

How Your Strategic Leadership & Execution is Impactful

Partner closely with the Chief Wealth Officer to evaluate opportunities, solve complex business challenges, and drive the strategic priorities of CLA Wealth Advisory.

Lead complex, cross-functional projects from assessment and recommendation through implementation and adoption that support growth, profitability, and organizational effectiveness.

Develop business cases, financial analyses, and strategic recommendations.

Serve as a trusted advisor on issues related to business strategy, operating models, organizational design, client experience, advisor productivity, and growth initiatives.

Business Transformation & Growth: Evaluate opportunities to improve client segmentation, service models, advisor effectiveness, pricing strategies, and operational scalability. Drive strategic growth, transformation, and acquisition integration efforts across the Wealth business. Identify opportunities to improve profitability, client outcomes, and advisor experience.

Strategic Leadership & Execution: Lead high-impact strategic initiatives that drive growth, profitability, advisor effectiveness, organizational performance, and long-term scalability across the Wealth business. Develop business cases, recommendations, and execution plans while influencing and aligning stakeholders across the organization. Drive accountability, decision-making, and successful execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives, communicating progress and outcomes to executive leadership.

Qualifications

10+ years of relevant experience required.

Bachelor's degree required. Combination of relevant experience, education, and training may be accepted in lieu of a degree (Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field highly preferred).

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7, 24, and 65 licenses required (or equivalent).

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation preferred.

Highly Preferred: Leadership experience in Wealth Advisory, wealth management, or financial services, with a demonstrated record of transforming operations, and driving business growth and strategic outcomes highly preferred.

Proven success leading complex strategic initiatives involving wealth advisory business transformation, operating model design, growth strategy, organizational effectiveness, or acquisition integration.

Strong business, financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and drive change across an organization.

Experience within an RIA, wealth management firm, broker-dealer, private wealth platform, or wealth advisory consulting firm; experience with client segmentation, pricing strategy, advisor productivity, and business transformation initiatives required.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive executive compensation and incentive opportunities, comprehensive benefits and retirement programs and professional growth opportunities within a collaborative, client‑focused culture.

Compensation Strategy: Our approach to compensation emphasizes collaboration and career growth. We pay competitive wages and view compensation as an investment in our people. Factors such as geography, experience, education, skills, and knowledge may impact position of pay within the range.

The compensation range for this position in California is: $200,000 - $250,000. This role is also eligible for discretionary bonuses based on company performance and other factors.

The compensation range for this position in Minneapolis is: $200,000 - $250,000. This role is also eligible for discretionary bonuses based on company performance and other factors.

We offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.

Equal Opportunity Employer & Diversity

CLA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Wellness at CLA

To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well‑being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.

Start your inspired career

When you join CLA, you’ll have the opportunity to design your own inspired career. Career growth is about having new experiences and lots of exposure to different roles that stretch your comfort zone, expand your skills, and shape you as a leader. It’s not so much about climbing a ladder or acquiring new titles — it’s the discovery of your strengths and the outer reaches of your true potential. At CLA, you have the freedom to explore many opportunities, including your choice of industry specialization, service capability, career path, and mobility.

About CLA

CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. With nearly 9,000 people, more than 130 U.S. locations, and a global vision, we promise to know you and help you. For more information visit CLAconnect.com. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.

We create opportunities for our people to live well and be happy by focusing on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well‑being. Please contact [e-mail] if you require reasonable accommodation when completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process.