Chief Investment Officer

HBKS Wealth Advisors•Erie, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

HBKS Wealth Advisors (HBKS), a leading independent personal financial planning and wealth management firm with nearly $8 billion in assets under management, is seeking a Chief Investment Officer (CIO). As part of the HBK family of companies, HBKS provides comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and wealth advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses. The firm is investing in resources and technology for long-term growth and seeks capable, dedicated professionals. HBKS offers a unique breadth and depth of experience, supporting employees in defining their own career paths and excelling within a dynamic team. The firm works with entrepreneurs, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals, acting as consultants and influencers in their clients' financial lives. The role is ideal for someone passionate about helping people achieve their financial goals.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive investment experience, including senior portfolio management, asset allocation, or manager research at a multi-billion-dollar RIA, private bank, or asset management firm.
Prior experience managing an investment function through direct reports/function heads, not solely through individual contributor work.
CFA charter holder required.
Demonstrated track record building or leading an investment committee/process across a multi-office or multi-entity platform.
Deep knowledge of both public markets and alternatives (private equity, private credit, hedge funds, real assets), including institutional-level due diligence and negotiation experience.
Experience owning trading desk operations and portfolio management technology decisions at an enterprise level.
Strong communicator — comfortable in front of HNW/UHNW clients, advisors, institutional stakeholders, and a firm's Executive Committee/board.

Nice To Haves

CAIA or advanced degree (MBA) a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the firm’s Asset Management Group and serve as a member of the firm's executive team.
Execute the firm’s investment philosophy and process, and manage the trading platform across a multi-office enterprise.
Serve as the senior-most voice on asset allocation, manager/strategy selection, portfolio construction, alternatives, and capital markets research.
Manage the trading and investment operations infrastructure supporting the firm's advisor base.
Chair the Investment Committee, set and communicate firm-wide views, and ensure investment and operational consistency across all offices and client portfolios.
Lead through a team of function leaders (Investment Research, Portfolio Management and Trading).
Carry budget, vendor, and infrastructure responsibilities for the Asset Management Group.
Own and evolve the firm's strategic and tactical asset allocation frameworks.
Oversee manager, fund, and strategy due diligence, selection, and ongoing monitoring (active, passive, alternatives, SMAs).
Maintain and refine model portfolios across risk tiers, tax situations, and client segments.
Standardize investment implementation across all 12 offices, including model adherence monitoring, override/exception tracking, and ensuring a consistent client experience firm-wide.
Establish a regional liaison structure to ensure office-level advisor input reaches central research and IC decision-making.
Produce and present capital markets commentary for clients and advisors.
Translate macro and market research into actionable, defensible portfolio positioning.
Serve as the firm's credible investment voice in client-facing settings, media, and advisor training.
Build and maintain relationships with custodians, asset managers, and research providers.
Ensure investment processes meet fiduciary standards.
Work with Compliance on suitability, disclosure, and best-execution matters.
Oversee the firm's alternatives platform, including sourcing, due diligence, structuring, and ongoing monitoring of hedge fund and private equity solutions.
Set criteria for alternatives allocation within client portfolios.
Formalize an institutional-grade due diligence process for alternatives.
Lead negotiation of institutional terms for alternatives where applicable.
Own a manager research coverage model.
Lead the Asset Management Group (AMG) through direct reports, setting hiring plans, staffing structure, and performance standards.
Oversee all trading activities of the firm, ensuring best execution, timely implementation of model changes, and adherence to trading policies and compliance controls.
Own enterprise-level operational infrastructure, including the management of the order management system / portfolio management system and rebalancing tools.
Set and manage the AMG budget.
Serve as the primary escalation point for firm-wide trading and operational issues within AMG.
Partner with the CCO/Compliance function on firm-wide investment risk and regulatory matters.
Support advisor teams' new business efforts through investment analytics and proposal generation.
Define and maintain the AMG organization structure, including succession planning and bench depth.
Mentor advisors and function heads on portfolio construction and client investment conversations.
Partner with executive leadership on firm strategy, including how investment platform decisions affect growth, M&A integration, or succession planning.