Wealth Strategist

ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INCORPORATED; Kentucky; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm seeks a Wealth Strategist to assist Financial Advisors in planning for ultra-high net worth clients. The role involves providing expertise in estate planning, business transition, and wealth transfer strategies. Ideal candidates will have a JD or CPA and at least ten years of relevant experience. The position emphasizes teamwork, client engagement, and requires strong organizational and communication skills.

Benefits

Growth-oriented team environment

Unique culture emphasizing diversity and partnership

Community involvement opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of significant planning experience working with multi-generational families of wealth.
• Familiarity with advanced tax and wealth transfer techniques required.
• Travel expectation is 30-50%.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Financial Advisors to assist with ultra-high net worth planning and wealth transfer strategies.
• Attend meetings with clients and Financial Advisors, driving discussions based on expertise.
• Mentor and train team members in wealth planning strategies.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

JD, CPA, or bachelor's degree with advanced certification such as CFP

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Serve as a Wealth Strategist focused on assisting Financial Advisors with planning for their ultra-high net worth clients and prospects, including, but not limited to, multi-generational households, and business-owner clients and prospects. Must have experience with multi-generational estate planning and wealth transfer techniques, income and estate tax planning, business transition planning strategies, and other advanced planning topics. Must be able to work as part of a team that is geographically diverse, supporting team initiatives while often working independently. Strong verbal and written communication skills required. Activities and duties require a high level of organization and expertise.

As a Wealth Strategist, you will:

• Partner with Baird Financial Advisors (FAs) to assist with ultra-high net worth planning, multi-generational wealth transfer planning, business transition planning, and other advanced planning scenarios for the clients and prospects of FAs.
• Serve as subject matter expert on multi-generational wealth transfer planning and business transition planning questions from FAs and clients. Assist FAs in all steps of the planning process, including discovery sessions, plan creation and presentation, implementation and follow-up.
• Attend in-person and/or virtual meetings with FA and clients in locations around the country. Role in those meetings will range from supporting the FA to driving the agenda and leading the discussion, based on planning expertise of the FA.
• Work with Baird Wealth Planning colleagues to build financial plans, prepare estate and tax plan reviews, and model proposed estate, tax, wealth transfer and business transition strategies.
• Collaborate with other professionals supporting the client, such as their CPA or attorney. Develop relationships with these professionals so they can serve as referrals for other clients and provide referrals to Baird.
• Help build our concierge-level tools and services to specifically support this group of clients, including developing standard processes to ensure a consistent client experience.
• Become familiar with Baird’s financial and estate planning software and assist with evaluating additional software tools to supplement where needed. Utilize Microsoft Office tools to build custom analyses and presentations as necessary.
• Understand the products and services offered within a Broker Dealer or Investment Advisory environment and be able to work with representatives of those departments. Recognize when to involve other specialists within the firm when appropriate, including those in fiduciary and estate settlement, sell-side business advisory, lending, insurance, retirement plans, executive compensation, etc.
• Assist the other Wealth Strategists when available to help manage department-wide workflow.
• Provide mentorship and training for Wealth Planning team members and Baird FAs seeking to develop their planning skills.

What makes this opportunity great:

• Be part of a growth-oriented team working with our high performing advisors.
• Unique culture that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives while emphasizing teamwork and a strong sense of partnership.
• Team of associates passionate about achieving great results for clients and give back to the communities where we live and work.

What we look for:

• JD, CPA, or bachelor’s degree with advanced certification such as CFP required.
• At least 10 years of significant planning experience working with multi-generational families of wealth (net worth exceeding $25 million) and business owners.
• Familiarity with business transition planning and advanced tax and wealth transfer techniques required.
• Strong computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office products – in particular, experience creating & presenting client analyses in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and work under strict – and sometimes short – deadlines. Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize projects required.
• Ability to work independently on projects and effectively relate to others to accomplish work responsibilities and objectives.
• Strong writing and speaking skills.
• Ability to act as a team player, assisting others in the department, when necessary, is mandatory.
• Travel expectation is 30-50%

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