Wealth Management Advisor Onboarding Transition Specialist

Cerity Partners•Chicago, IL

8d•$100,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Advisor Onboarding Transition Specialist ensures a seamless transition for newly acquired advisors during their first four months at Cerity Partners. This role manages client data migration, system setup, training coordination, and operational integration—serving as the primary liaison between new advisors and centralized service teams. This is a high-touch role that calls for steady, confident support for incoming advisors. This person will work closely with senior stakeholders and requires someone to be comfortable leading from an operational expert role while taking a consultative, collaborative approach. The scope of this role is expected to flex with the volume and timing of advisor liftouts. During periods of lower liftout activity, this person may pivot to support broader M&A integration work, including regular mergers and other transition-related projects outside the core advisor onboarding workflow. Candidates should be comfortable with a role whose day-to-day focus shifts based on deal flow rather than following a fixed, static scope.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or related field; or equivalent work experience
3–5 years of experience in financial services operations, client onboarding, or project coordination
Proficiency with Salesforce CRM
Experience with custodial paperwork and new client account setup
Exceptional organizational skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent onboarding projects
Strong written/verbal communication, detail orientation, and customer service aptitude
An operational mindset — someone who enjoys the paperwork and process side of the job, not just the relationship side
Comfort operating with ambiguity; able to problem-solve independently
Working understanding of project management fundamentals
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Orion portfolio management system strongly preferred
Experience supporting wealth management or RIA practices through mergers and acquisitions
Experience working with executive-level stakeholders in change management environments
Knowledge of financial advisory compliance requirements and industry regulations
Project management certification (PMP/CAPM) and experience creating training materials
Familiarity with change management principles

Responsibilities

Manage client data input into Salesforce CRM and coordinate account setup in Orion portfolio management system
Handle custodial paperwork and new-account setup processes for clients transitioning onto CP's platform
Verify data integrity across all systems and resolve discrepancies with technology and operations teams
Maintain detailed documentation of all client migration activities and system configurations
Develop and execute customized onboarding plans tailored to each advisor's background and book of business
Schedule and coordinate training sessions covering services, procedures, compliance, technology platforms, and internal resources
Facilitate introductions to key internal stakeholders across portfolio management, trading, compliance, and technology
Track onboarding milestones and proactively address gaps throughout the 4-month transition period
Serve as primary advisor contact for questions, troubleshooting, and issue escalation
Coordinate logistics including technology setup, office space, business cards, and marketing materials
At the 4-month mark, conduct comprehensive handoffs with detailed transition documentation and warm introductions to centralized support teams