Growth & Development Manager, Virtual Advice - Hybrid

Thrivent•Houston, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Growth & Development Manager, Virtual Advice is responsible for leading a local team of nationally licensed advisors who serve clients across all 50 states. This role is critical in ensuring that both individual and team performance goals are met or exceeded, with a strong focus on financial advice & deepening client relationships to drive sales and productivity goals. This position plays a key role in not only driving business outcomes but also in cultivating a highly productive, mission-driven, and team-oriented culture. The manager is instrumental in launching team-oriented advisors at scale and growing talent through cross-channel career pathing. This manager will interact with key field partners, including Market Directors, Developers, and Area Vice Presidents, and will maintain a matrixed relationship with the Advice Team. They must have a deep understanding of customer needs, the organization’s member philosophy, and service standards to effectively lead their team in delivering a consistent, positive client experience. This role will involve addressing work standards, process improvements, and employee performance, particularly in relation to ease of doing business, channel conflicts, client service, and regulatory requirements. This manager must also be well-versed in the advice strategy and sales process and its key components to identify areas for improvement and determine whether training, technology, or other changes are needed to enhance client satisfaction. Implementing these improvements may vary in complexity, taking anywhere from a few hours to several months and may require collaboration with legal, field supervision, compliance, processing, and other departments. Additionally, this role regularly involves communicating decisions, requests, and updates to Virtual Advisors and the Virtual Advice Leadership team. The manager will need to engage multiple information systems and departments to gather relevant background information before responding. Timely responses, often within hours or days, are critical to the role. Strong cultural awareness and relationship-building skills, with the ability to coach, develop, and grow financial advisors serving diverse community segments. Demonstrated success adapting leadership and development approaches to meet the needs of financial advisors and clients from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Prior financial advisor experience and multiple years leading a team of eight or more.
Must be eligible for Securities and Insurance licensing in all states and D.C.
Experience in financial planning, investment, and insurance products, along with consultative sales models (e.g., Integrity Selling).
Proven ability to lead change in a fast-paced environment and collaborate within a team to achieve results.
Strong belief in the organization’s core values and mission, with a driven, client-centric, and results-oriented mindset.
Excellent communication, organizational skills, and an outgoing, positive, and empathetic demeanor.
Experience working in a virtual or hybrid working environment.

Nice To Haves

Possession of FINRA Series 7 and 63/65 or 66, along with Life/Health Insurance licenses, is preferred and must be obtained within 120 days of hire/transfer.
Advanced Designation (CFP®, ChFC , or CLU)
Salesforce experience
Familiarity with Money Guide Pro or similar planning tools.

Responsibilities

Support building the local culture within the market in collaboration with local leadership, integrating virtual advice advisor into their local market.
Conduct daily and weekly coaching sessions, both on-site and virtually, to enhance consultative sales skill and support advisors in delivering effective, advice-based recommendations.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills through case work and occasionally joining client calls to support your team, exemplifying leadership from the front.
Drive alignment with organizational objectives by conducting business planning and managing performance expectations.
Contribute to key decision-making processes and operate in line with budgetary decisions.
Interview and select talent to align with team staffing expectations.
Deliver onboarding and training that accelerates productivity and skill development.
Enhance the effectiveness of the client experience by regularly delivering ongoing feedback and coaching.
Ensure effective implementation of the organization’s advice strategy, client service models and a consistent approach to practice management.
Facilitate career pathing and long-term development conversations to drive engagement and retention.
Collaborate with organizational leaders to exchange best practices, strengthen leadership effectiveness, boost hiring referrals, enhance employee engagement, and drive overall sales growth.
Partner with key stakeholders, including but not limited to virtual advice leadership, training and human resources, to enhance the performance of the virtual advisor team, supporting their personal success in achieving sales targets and career objectives.
Select, develop, and retain a high-performing team while promoting a culture of shared accountability, operational excellence, and partnership across the organization.
Model organization’s leadership competencies – Model the Way, Rally the Team, and Deliver Outcomes.
Support and/or develop an environment in which employees and colleagues are focused on continuous improvement, exceptional employee engagement, and an unwavering commitment to our clients.
Shape and/or support a culture that represents the organization’s purpose, promise and values, ensuring that our trust and reputation remain strong with its clients.