Vice President, Client Transitions

Hirtle & Co.; Conshohocken (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Hirtle & Co. seeks a Vice President, Client Transitions to lead onboarding, account transitions, and client operations within the Investment Operations team.

The role blends operational execution with strategic thinking, coordinating with Portfolio Management, Client Service, Compliance, and custodial partners. The ideal candidate has wealth management operations experience, a passion for automation and data-driven solutions, and a track record of implementing scalable process improvements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field.
• 7-10+ years in investment operations or wealth management operations.
• Strong understanding of custodial platforms and account structures.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and strong communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Portfolio Managers, Client Service, Compliance, and Finance.

Responsibilities

• Manage onboarding of new institutional and HNW client relationships and accounts.
• Coordinate account openings, transfers, and transitions across custodians.
• Oversee account lifecycle events like signer changes and beneficiary updates.
• Partner with Portfolio Managers and custodians to ensure timely execution of onboarding and transition activities.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement scalable process improvements.
• Maintain complete client documentation and comply with regulatory requirements.
• Support internal audits and custody due diligence efforts.

Skills

Onboarding management

Account transitions

Process improvement

Operational excellence

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

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

Tools

Salesforce

Black Diamond

Addepar

Job description

Hirtle & Co. is a registered investment adviser that pioneered the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer model in 1988. We set out nearly forty years ago to transform the investment management industry for the benefit of our clients, and that is exactly what we are still doing today. Simply put, we exist to serve our clients.

Trust, integrity, curiosity, collaboration and innovation are central to our culture. We are dedicated to serving our clients in perpetuity by building an enduring institution. We seek talented individuals who will embrace our partnership culture and possess the drive to make a difference. We challenge each other to be our best selves and recognize our team’s efforts with competitive compensation and benefits.

About the Role

The Vice President, Client Transitions is a key member of the Investment Operations team responsible for partnering with the group’s leadership, overseeing client onboarding, account transitions, client operations support, and process improvement initiatives. This role blends operational execution with strategic thinking, serving as a bridge between Portfolio Management, Client Service, Compliance, external custodial partners and our clients.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in wealth management operations, account administration, and transition management workflows while demonstrating a passion for leveraging technology, automation, and data-driven solutions to improve efficiency and enhance our client’s experience. This individual will have the opportunity to expand the role over time by identifying scalable solutions, implementing process improvements, and contributing to broader operational initiatives across the firm.

Responsibilities

Client Onboarding & Account Transitions

• Manage the onboarding of new institutional and HNW client relationships and account structures, including individual, trust, retirement, entity, and institutional accounts.
• Coordinate account openings, account transfers, and transitions across multiple custodians.
• Oversee account lifecycle events including signer changes, beneficiary updates, trust modifications, and estate and trust related account maintenance.
• Partner with Portfolio Managers, Client Service teams, and custodians to ensure timely and accurate execution of all account-related activities.
• Track and resolve outstanding onboarding and transition items while maintaining a high level of client service.

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend practical solutions to improve scalability and reduce risk.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance procedures, workflows, and operational documentation.
• Utilize technology, automation tools, and reporting platforms to streamline manual processes.
• Participate in system implementations, integrations, and process transformation initiatives.
• Assist in evaluating emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, workflow automation, and data management solutions.
• Ensure all onboarding, maintenance, and operational activities comply with regulatory requirements, firm policies, and fiduciary standards.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of client documentation and account activity.
• Assist in identifying operational risks and implementing appropriate controls and oversight processes.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and custodial due diligence efforts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key operational resource for Portfolio Managers, Client Service teams, Compliance, and Finance.
• Provide timely updates regarding onboarding status, account transitions, and operational initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with custodians, vendors, and service providers.
• Contribute to a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Competencies for Success

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 7-10+ years of experience in investment operations, wealth management operations, account administration, onboarding, or client transitions.
• Strong understanding of custodial platforms, account structures, and investment operations workflows.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Experience within an OCIO, RIA, family office, trust company, or institutional investment environment.
• Knowledge of portfolio accounting, performance reporting, and investment operations processes.
• Experience with systems such as Salesforce, Black Diamond, Addepar, or similar wealth management platforms.
• Exposure to workflow automation, AI tools, business intelligence reporting, or process optimization initiatives.
• Project management experience and a demonstrated ability to drive operational improvements.

A successful candidate combines strong operational fundamentals with a continuous improvement mindset. They are equally comfortable executing day-to-day operational responsibilities and identifying opportunities to leverage technology, automation, process enhancements and at times interfacing directly with our clients. This individual demonstrates initiative, embraces change, and seeks to build scalable solutions that support the firm's growth while delivering exceptional client experience. This role offers significant opportunities for growth and expanded responsibility as the firm's operational infrastructure and technology capabilities continue to evolve.

At Hirtle & Co., we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our clients and our employees. Hirtle & Co. is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.