Senior Financial Planner

Overview

The Senior Financial Planner is a progression role from Financial Planner, serving as a senior subject matter expert within the Wealth Management client strategy team. This position leads the end-to-end financial planning process for complex client relationships, including advanced analysis, recommendation development, implementation coordination, and ongoing plan governance. The role partners closely with Wealth Advisors, Trust Officers, and other internal stakeholders to advise on sophisticated, multi-generational planning needs, elevate the consistency and quality of financial planning delivery, support business development, and mentor others through technical guidance and planning best practices.

Position Goals

• Advanced Financial Planning Leadership - Lead sophisticated, holistic planning engagements for complex client households, translating advanced analysis into actionable strategies that support client goals and advisor recommendations.
• Senior Client Engagement and Advisory Partnership - Serve as a trusted planning partner to Wealth Advisors and Trust Officers by leading client-facing planning discussions, strengthening relationship strategy, and improving the overall client experience.
• Market Growth and Planning Strategy - Identify and advance planning opportunities with existing clients, prospects, centers of influence, and internal partners to support revenue growth, client retention, and expanded planning adoption.
• Ongoing Plan Governance and Optimization - Establish review disciplines, monitor progress against client objectives, and recommend adjustments in response to evolving client needs, market conditions, tax considerations, estate planning factors, and regulatory changes.
• Technical Leadership and Talent Development - Serve as an enterprise resource for complex planning matters, mentor less experienced planners, share best practices, and contribute to consistent planning standards across the Wealth Management team.

Responsibilities

Advanced Financial Planning Development and Delivery

• Lead complex planning engagements from discovery through implementation, including retirement, investment, tax, estate, insurance, charitable, and multi-generational planning considerations.
• Develop advanced financial models, planning scenarios, and written recommendations that demonstrate sound judgment, technical accuracy, and alignment with client goals.
• Present recommendations to clients and internal partners in a clear, consultative manner, translating complex planning concepts into practical guidance.

Client Engagement and Relationship Support

• Lead client-facing planning conversations for high-value or complex relationships and respond to sophisticated client questions with confidence and professionalism.
• Partner with Wealth Advisors, Trust Officers, portfolio management, and other specialists to integrate planning recommendations into broader client strategy.
• Coach advisors and team members on discovery techniques, planning opportunities, and effective positioning of financial planning capabilities.

Planning Strategy and Market Engagement

• Proactively identify planning opportunities across markets and client segments, including opportunities to deepen existing relationships and support new client acquisition.
• Represent planning expertise in prospect meetings, internal strategy sessions, sales meetings, planning calls, and community or center-of-influence discussions as appropriate.
• Contribute to referral development, business development strategy, and market growth initiatives by demonstrating advanced planning expertise.

Ongoing Plan Monitoring and Adjustments

• Conduct regular client reviews and monitor plan progress
• Adjust recommendations based on market, regulatory, and client changes
• Ensure plans remain aligned with client objectives

Technical Expertise and Team Collaboration

• Serve as a senior technical resource for complex planning scenarios and escalated client planning questions.
• Mentor Financial Planners and support colleagues through training, peer review, case consultation, and planning best-practice sharing.
• Maintain expertise across tax, estate, investment, and planning disciplines

Key Success Factors

• Communication

Fosters communication by engaging stakeholders with empathy and professionalism, adapting messaging to diverse perspectives, and coaching others to strengthen communication skills.

• Relationship Building

Builds strategic alliances across the organization to drive business goals, foster collaboration, eliminate silos, and advance organizational success.

• Customer Focus

Anticipates customer needs, integrates them into strategic planning, and builds partnerships to enhance the customer experience.

• Problem Solving & Decision Making

Uses data, clear metrics, and the Tompkins decision making model to anticipate outcomes, manage risks, and coach sound decisions.

• Planning & Results Orientation

Establishes goals, manages resources and budgets, addresses challenges, monitors progress, and maintains high standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related field required
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in financial planning, wealth advisory, trust, investment, or a closely related client-facing advisory role required, including demonstrated experience handling complex client situations.
• CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation strongly preferred; CPA, CFA, CTFA, or comparable advanced credential with relevant planning experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive financial plans for clients with complex, high-net-worth, business owner, executive, retirement, estate, charitable, or multi-generational planning needs.
• Proficiency in financial planning software; experience with eMoney or similar platforms preferred
• Strong analytical, research, and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret findings and communicate recommendations effectively
• Proven ability to present complex financial information clearly to clients and stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to mentor colleagues, influence planning standards, and maintain current knowledge of financial planning, tax, estate, investment, risk management, and regulatory disciplines through ongoing professional development.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• 11 Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking throughout Tompkins Community Bank
• Employee Referrals

EEO Statement

Tompkins is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") with respect to all team members and applicants for employment and a work environment free from discrimination (including unlawful harassment) based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender non-conformity, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status or status in any group protected by federal, state, or local law.

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Pay Range

USD $110,000.00 - USD $135,000.00 /Yr.