JOB DESCRIPTION
We’re seeking an experienced Lead Advisor to join its established wealth-management practice in Olympia, WA. This is an opportunity for a seasoned financial advisor to take meaningful ownership of client relationships, provide comprehensive wealth-management guidance across all client segments, and contribute to the continued growth of the firm.
The ideal candidate is confident working independently with clients across all tiers, from retirement-focused households to high-net-worth and multi-generational families. They bring a strong understanding of investment strategies, including alternative investments, and hands-on experience selling private placements. The Lead Advisor should also be comfortable advocating for the appropriate use of private placements within investment models and client portfolios.
We're known for its welcoming, supportive, and non-competitive culture, where advisors genuinely support one another and prioritize doing what is right for the client. This is a collaborative environment that values integrity, accountability, proactive communication, and professional excellence.
The Lead Advisor will work closely with the firm's leadership, wealth-management team, and portfolio management professionals while maintaining the ability to independently manage client relationships and make thoughtful recommendations aligned with each client's financial objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Client Relationship Management
- Independently manage and develop relationships with clients across all tiers of the firm's client base.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for assigned clients.
- Build long-term relationships with high-net-worth, retirement-focused, and multi-generational households.
- Understand clients' financial goals, circumstances, risk tolerance, and investment preferences.
- Conduct client meetings and portfolio reviews, providing clear guidance and recommendations.
- Deliver a high-touch, personalized client experience while maintaining consistent communication and follow-through.
- Identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships and improve client retention.
Financial Planning & Wealth Management
- Provide comprehensive financial planning and wealth-management advice.
- Evaluate clients' financial positions and help them navigate retirement, cash flow, investment decisions, inheritance, and other significant financial events.
- Develop and maintain financial plans using the firm's planning technology.
- Review portfolios and investment strategies to ensure alignment with client objectives.
- Collaborate with portfolio management and other team members to deliver appropriate investment solutions.
- Demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to work independently while recognizing when collaboration or additional expertise is needed.
Alternative Investments & Private Placements
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of alternative investments, particularly private placements.
- Bring proven experience selling private placements and discussing their role within a client's broader investment strategy.
- Advocate for the appropriate use of private placements within the firm's investment models when aligned with client objectives and suitability considerations.
- Clearly communicate investment structures, potential benefits, risks, liquidity considerations, and other relevant factors to clients.
- Identify suitable opportunities to incorporate alternative investments into client portfolios.
- Work closely with the investment and portfolio management teams to support appropriate implementation and ongoing client communication.
Practice Development & Growth
- Develop new client relationships and contribute to the firm's organic growth.
- Identify opportunities to bring additional assets under management through existing relationships, referrals, and new business development.
- Build and maintain a strong referral network.
- Contribute to the firm's long-term AUM growth objectives.
- Support client retention through proactive relationship management and consistent service.
- Take ownership of business-development activities and follow through on opportunities.
Team Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with advisors, CFPs, portfolio management, and administrative team members.
- Communicate proactively and take accountability for client-related responsibilities.
- Share knowledge and contribute to a collaborative, non-competitive team environment.
- Maintain high standards of integrity, professionalism, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
- Exercise sound judgment and escalate concerns when appropriate.
REQUIREMENTS
- 5+ years of experience as a financial advisor, with a demonstrated record of independently managing client relationships.
- Active Series 65 license.
- Active insurance license.
- Demonstrated experience selling alternative investments, specifically private placements.
- Thorough understanding of private placements and their potential role within investment models and client portfolios.
- Experience working directly with clients across different wealth levels and financial circumstances.
- Strong financial planning, investment, and wealth-management knowledge.
- Proven ability to develop client relationships, retain assets, and identify growth opportunities.
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team.
- High degree of professionalism, integrity, organization, and attention to detail.
Regulatory and Background Requirements
- No open regulatory investigations or unresolved client complaints.
- No more than one regulatory disclosure within the past five years. Multiple disclosures relating to the same underlying issue will be evaluated as one disclosure.
- No felony convictions, subject to applicable background-check requirements and relevant law.
MUST HAVES
- 5+ years of financial advisory experience: Established experience advising clients and independently managing relationships.
- Active licensing: Series 65 and an active insurance license.
- Private placement experience: Demonstrated experience selling private placements, not simply general familiarity with alternative investments.
- Alternative investment knowledge: Ability to understand and advocate for the appropriate use of alternatives within investment models.
- Independent client management: Comfortable advising clients across all tiers without requiring significant day-to-day direction.
- Business development: Ability to generate new AUM, develop referral opportunities, and grow client relationships.
- Strong compliance record: Meets the firm's regulatory disclosure, investigation, complaint, and background requirements.
- Client-first approach: Demonstrates sound judgment, integrity, and a commitment to long-term client relationships.
NICE TO HAVE
- CFP designation.
- Experience serving high-net-worth, retirement-focused, or multi-generational households.
- Experience in an independent RIA environment.
- Hybrid RIA and broker-dealer experience.
- Experience with MoneyGuidePro or similar financial-planning software.
- Experience with Advyzon or similar CRM and planning platforms.
- Established referral relationships or a professional network within the Olympia/South Sound market.
- Demonstrated success growing AUM and retaining client assets.
LONG-TERM GROWTH EXPECTATIONS
- Independently manage and strengthen client relationships across the firm's existing client base.
- Contribute to client retention through proactive communication, thoughtful advice, and consistent service.
- Generate new assets through referrals, business development, and expansion of existing relationships.
- Support the firm's long-term annual new AUM growth target of approximately $10M–$15M.
- Help expand the firm's use of alternative investments and private placements within appropriate client portfolios.
COMPENSATION PACKAGE
- Base Salary: $150,000–$175,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Annual Client Retention Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus tied to client retention rates.
- New AUM Incentive: 20% of the fee billing on new AUM brought into the firm by the advisor.
- 3D Money Incentive: An additional 30% of the fee billing on all assets placed in 3D Money, whether those assets come from new or existing client accounts.
How the AUM Incentives Work:
For new assets generated by the advisor and invested in 3D Money, the advisor can receive a combined 50% of the fee billing: 20% for bringing in the new AUM, plus an additional 30% for assets placed in 3D Money. These incentives apply while the advisor is employed by us and serving as the advisor on the account.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Location: Olympia, Washington
- Schedule: Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM / Friday: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Hybrid: 3 days in-office and 2 days remote
- Limited travel expected; occasional client visits as needed.
- Regular collaboration with advisors, financial planners, portfolio management, and administrative staff.
BENEFITS
- 401(k) with company match
- Health, Dental, Vision
- PTO and sick days
- Company-provided baseline life insurance, option to purchase supplemental life insurance.
- Spousal life insurance option
- Collaborative, welcoming team environment
- Strong emphasis on professional development, coaching, and learning
- Supportive culture where mistakes are treated as opportunities to learn and improve
INTERVIEW PROCESS
- Talent Harbor vetting and screening.
- Step 1: Immediate Supervisor + HR Interview.
- Step 2: Hiring Manager + Teammates.
- Three required assessments administered after the first interview.
- Step 3: Offer or final tie-breaker interview.
- Pre-employment background and regulatory review.