Director of Financial Planning & Practice Development

UMB Bank • Leawood, KS

8d • $176,796 - $260,029 • Hybrid

About The Position

This role directs all financial planning and practice development activities for Private Wealth Management. The Director will oversee a team of financial planning professionals, partner with Advisors and Managing Partners to drive practice efficiencies and growth, and grow the number of planning engagements. The position involves setting strategic direction, managing the annual budget, establishing KPIs, and aligning resources with the operating plan. A key aspect is implementing and managing a learning and development program to ensure associates and advisors adopt industry best practices. The role also involves providing practice assessments, supporting practice management in areas like client experience and business growth, and orchestrating the delivery of comprehensive analysis and advice for personal and business planning. Engagement with firm technologies, assisting in advisor recruitment, and ensuring the quality of financial advice and client experience are also crucial. The Director will design and monitor programs to increase client retention and engagement, identify new service offerings, and enforce controls to prevent errors and breaches of confidentiality.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or combination of education and experience that provides and equivalent background
• 10+ years of applicable experience within Financial Services
• 3+ years of demonstrated functional leadership experience within a wealth management institution
• CFP or advanced designation
• Must have, or possess ability to obtain, the Series 65 registration within 120 days of employment
• Systems thinking and complex problem solving
• Attention to detail, yet ability to grasp big picture
• Highly organized and can effectively multi-task
• Great communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Exceptional written communication and presentation skills
• Strong knowledge of investment, tax and estate planning strategies
• Knack for understanding how technology can improve client experiences and front office operational processes
• Experience in designing and managing financial planning processes
• Proven Experience in working with advisor practices to drive organic growth
• Proficiency in analyzing business processes and client journeys, and working with others to drive change
• Able to balance a client experience mindset when managing and controlling business risks
• Builder and communicator of analytical frameworks that define and measure success
• Demonstrated strong math skills
• Effective financial research skills
• Strong proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint)
• Strong proficiency with eMoney client portal and financial planning software

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated financial advisor or wealth management sales experience

Responsibilities

• Oversee the team of financial planning professionals across the business
• Partner with Advisors, Managing Partners and practice teams on driving practice efficiencies and growth strategies
• Grow the number of planning engagements (both personal and business) in Private Wealth
• Support practice teams in the development and execution of their business plans with regards to sales goals and other KPI’s
• Integrate a planning led approach across all advisor practices
• Set the strategic direction and establish priorities for the ongoing growth of financial planning and practice development
• Manage annual budget and execution of the business transformation plan for the function
• Establish KPI’s for the function that will allow Private Wealth Management to measure and monitor success
• Align the resources in the function with the annual operating plan and drive hiring needs in partnership with human resources
• Manage team and practice performance across function, working with managers to regularly update the associate 9-box and developing specific professional development plans for each associate
• Implement and manage a learning and development program to ensure all financial planning associates and advisors adopt industry best practices
• Meet regularly with direct reports and managing partners to proactively understand trends, risks, and opportunities to deliver financial planning solutions to clients
• Meet regularly with Managing Partners and practice teams to provide practice assessments and to drive and support practice growth and efficiencies to maximize overall business health scores
• Provide ongoing support and accountability to Managing Partners in key areas of practice management including client experience, business growth and development, establishing a clear vision and strategy, and strong business and financial management
• Work with internal business partners to ensure the highest level of support and service for Advisors
• Direct and orchestrate the delivery of comprehensive analysis and advice, for both personal and business planning, to Private Wealth current and prospective clients
• Engage Managing Partners and practice teams in the adoption and integration of firm technologies and resources
• Assist in the recruiting, onboarding and assimilation of new wealth advisors
• Routinely review financial planning outputs to ensure quality of financial advice provided, client experience, maximize scale and minimize risk
• Partner with business analysis team and IT to implement technology solutions to improve client experience, quality of financial advice and drive operational scale
• Design, implement and monitor specific programs aimed to increase client retention and engagement (wallet share)
• Based on client interactions and input from team managers, proactively identity new service offerings and growth opportunities
• Ensure there is a well-defined financial planning process, including meeting preparation, meeting presentation and client follow up within each advisor practice
• Document, deliver and enforce sufficient controls to prevent financial planning errors, breaches of client confidentiality or omissions
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• a 401(k) matching program
• annual incentive pay
• paid holidays
• a comprehensive company sponsored benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage
• health savings, flexible spending, and dependent care accounts
• adoption assistance
• an employee assistance program
• fitness reimbursement
• tuition reimbursement
• an associate wellbeing program
• an associate emergency fund
• various associate banking benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director