SVP, Advisor Operations

First Command Financial Services, Inc.; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

First Command Financial Services, Inc. seeks a Senior VP of Advisor Operations to lead Field Force Training, Onboarding & Recruiting and Advisor Operations, ensuring alignment with enterprise strategies and senior leadership.

You will work with the EVP, NDAO, Senior Field Leadership and the ELT to develop field-focused strategies in support of growth, productivity and client impact while overseeing budgets, programs, and events across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with strong academic performance; finance/marketing/business a plus.
• Advanced degree or professional certifications preferred (MBA a plus).
• 15 years in financial services leadership with supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for Advisor Operations teams and align with strategic goals.
• Oversee budget development and execution for assigned teams.
• Coordinate onboarding, recruiting and training needs with Field Leadership.
• Supervise Field Force Training for Advisors, District Advisors and staff.
• Analyze field activities and production trends across levels.
• Assess District Advisor effectiveness and coordinate improvement strategies.
• Promote competitive positioning and new segment penetration.
• Provide compensation coordination and support for Advisors.
• Communicate impact to the field and partner with Home Office.
• Coordinate with departments including Finance, Product, Marketing, Technology, HR and Compliance.
• Monitor industry trends and coordinate with external associations.
• Design and drive events (e.g., Winter Workshop, Advisor Conference).
• Develop programs to improve field-force productivity and develop business plans.
• Provide field perspective on briefs and hearings (FINRA/SEC).
• Field Operations contact for communications, docs and reports; PRA for field docs.
• Assist District Administrators in selecting/replacing District Advisors.
• Review waiver requests related to revenue credits, commissions and related items.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Communication

Project management

Industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree / certifications

MBA or equivalent

Tools

FINRA licenses

Life and Health license

Financial planning tools

Job description

How will this role impact First Command?

This position is a senior role within the organization. Areas of responsibility include leading Field Force Training, Advisor Onboarding & Recruiting and Advisor Operations teams. This influential leader is responsible and accountable for representing the Field Force and the NDAO in all committees assigned to and meetings attended, and oversees the coordination of activities and key actions to improve advisor operations performance and impact across the Field and Home Office.

The SVP, Advisor Operations will work closely with the EVP, National Director Advisor Operations (NDAO), Senior Field Leadership, and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in developing and executing field-focused strategies in alignment with enterprise, business and functional strategies.

What will the employee do in this role?

• Sets the direction of assigned teams by establishing the vision, mission objectives, strategies and action plans necessary to fulfill the company's strategic goals of growing the company and increasing production.
• Provides oversight of budget development and execution for assigned teams.
• Coordinates with Field Leadership and other internal clients to ensure onboarding, recruiting and training needs are met.
• Supervises Field Force Training to produce world-class training for Advisors, District Advisors (DA), and field support staff.
• Conceive, scope, and conduct analyses of field-focused activities, including production trends at the Advisor, district & product levels.
• Assess District Advisor effectiveness and coordinates improvement strategies with Division leadership.
• Promotes competitive positioning, alternative distribution channels, new segment penetration and industry benchmarking.
• Provide Advisor compensation coordination and support.
• Responsible for communications that impact the field.
• Key partner with Home Office departments, including Financial Planning, Product Management, Marketing, Experience, Technology, and Operations, Human Resources and Compliance.
• Stays abreast of industry trends, and helps coordinate activities involving external industry associations (i.e., FPA, FSI, GAMA, etc.).
• Conceptualize, coordinate, and drive events aimed to inspire the Field and fuel accomplishment of strategic, Field-focused goals (i.e. Winter Workshop, Annual Advisor Conference, etc.).
• Develop and implement programs, policies, and procedures that will improve field force productivity.
• Create, coordinate and support the development of business plans across all Advisor Operations functions that align with business level and enterprise strategies.
• Provide field perspective when appropriate as it relates to: information briefs, decision briefs, terminations, Temporary Restraining Orders, Temporary Injunctions, FINRA Arbitrations, Advisor recognition and commission issues. Support company representation for all hearings regarding Advisor termination at state/federal/FINRA/SEC hearing.
• Advisor Operations Point of Contact for communications, documentation, forms and reports impacting field force. Primary Release Authority (PRA) for all documents going to the Field Force.
• Assist the DAO's in all matters involving the selection and replacement of District Advisors.
• Review, evaluate and determine appropriate courses of action on all waiver requests from the Field Force or Financial Services involving, New Money Revenue Credit, Revenue Credit, New Client Creations, Commissions, Internal Insurance Replacements, and other requirements as requested by the NDAO. Co-Author Recognition and Commission SOP’s with Financial Services.

What roles will this employee lead?

• VP, Field Force Training
• VP, Advisor Recruiting & Onboarding
• VP, Field Operations

Skills & Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree with strong academic performance required concentration in finance, marketing, or business a plus
• Advanced degree or certifications preferred
• MBA or equivalent a plus

Work Experience

• 15 years' experience as a successful leader in the Financial Services industry, preferably within the fields of financial planning/advisory services, investment brokerage or insurance distribution organizations
• At least 5 years' experience in the financial services industry in a supervisory role

Certifications

• CFP, CHFC or other advance credentials preferred
• Currently hold Series 6, 63, 65 or Series 7, 66, as well as Series 24 or Series 26
• Life and Health license required

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expertise in the financial services industry, as well as a strong conceptual understanding about how other related industries operate
• Superb analytical skills, with the ability to understand big picture consequences of contemplated strategies
• Well-equipped with knowledge, skill, and experience related to designing and executing strategy
• Excellent communications skills, both orally and in writing; must be able to demonstrate confidence presenting to senior audiences and have the ability to inspire others
• Able to influence and execute deliverables through multiple resources, often working without formal authority through resources in other business units across First Command
• Comfortable with, attracted to, working in a highly dynamic environment and have ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously
• Project management skills and experience leading groups and teams to accomplish successful results
• Working knowledge of and contacts within the financial services and financial planning industries; must be personally resourceful and able to leverage industry insights
• Can see clearly the needs of others, particular the needs of the field; can help others to recognize those needs and focuses activities to empower the field
• Attention to detail

Other key attributes

• Integrity and Trust – Operates in an undeviating manner that aligns with the core values of First Command; incumbent must be able to gain the trust of, and collaborate with, individuals across the company, at all levels
• Team Player - Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all; easily gains support and trust of others; encourages collaboration, can represent his/her own interests and yet respect the views of others
• Enterprise Mindset: Makes decisions from an enterprise mindset - Brings together people and ideas for the good of the enterprise -breaks down the field/home office mindset and challenges - Partners and collaborates with other ELT members - communicates decisions from an enterprise standpoint
• Senior Executive Presence: Can interact credibly with the Board; Is trusted and looked at as a role model; Commands a presence that people will follow; Is a thought leader and thought partner with the NDAO

LI-BW3

Required Skills

Required Experience