Chief Operating Officer

The Center is looking for a rock star, values-driven Chief Operating Officer to join its 30-person wealth management team.  To apply, send your cover letter and resume to CenterCareers@CenterFinPlan.com.

About Us:

  • Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® was founded in 1985 and is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) (we operate as a hybrid RIA and work with Raymond James as our custodian and broker/dealer)

  • The Center currently serves over 1,000 families and oversees more than $1.8B in client assets as of September 30, 2024

  • Our mission is simple –  “Improving lives through financial planning done right”

  • Our team focuses on comprehensive financial planning – we review and provide advice on virtually every aspect of one’s financial life

Role Summary:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key leader of The Center’s management team. The COO reports to the Managing Partner and serves as an integral member of the senior management team. The COO oversees all aspects of the firm’s back-office functions to implement effective firm-wide operational policies, objectives, and strategic initiatives.  This individual will be responsible for leading the firm’s Operations, Client Service, Finance, Human Resources, Technology, and Compliance functions.

General Duties:

  • Partner with other leaders in executing the strategic plan for the firm (as outlined in our Vision, Values, Service Values, and Vision/Traction Organizer).

  • Provide overall leadership of the firm’s day-to-day operations, workflows, and procedures.

  • Oversee areas of general operations, compliance, technology, marketing, finance, human resources, and client service. Work with department leaders to ensure all departments are contributing to firm objectives.

  • Ensure an amazing team and client experience. Provide support, decision-making, guidance on escalated issues, and overall leadership across multiple departments.

  • Attract, retain, and develop a high-performing team. Champion, protect, and look to continually improve the firm’s award-winning workplace and culture.

  • Lead the firm’s Operations Committee – a weekly leadership meeting that follows Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) “Level 10” structure, sets firm-wide quarterly goals, and tackles core operational issues related to the firm

  • Oversee employee issues, including hiring, training, coaching, clarifying roles and expectations, performance reviews, salary and bonus recommendations, performance improvement plans, and terminations. Help plan periodic team-building events and activities, as well as meaningful surprise acknowledgments, perks, and gifts.

  • Oversee office management, bookkeeping and payroll, relationships with external resource providers and vendors, professional services, and firm benefits. Review expenses monthly and discuss budget report observations with leadership team.

  • Maintain and evolve an IT operating model that is consistent with the business strategy and regulatory environment. Technology environment includes a managed service provider, proprietary applications, as well as third-party vendor applications.  Work with senior leaders to select and implement technology solutions.

  • Spearhead operational component of the firm’s inorganic growth efforts, including retiring advisor transition plans and mid-career tuck-in advisor recruitment.

  • Administer, monitor and implement the firm’s compliance program. Supervise internal compliance team and partner with Raymond James on compliance matters. Keep abreast of compliance regulations and best practices.

Background Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree with preference for an advanced degree in business-related field (e.g. MBA) or certification (e.g. CFP, CFA, JD)

  • 10+ years of relevant wealth management experience

  • Experience leading and managing teams

  • Professional compliance designation or securities licenses desired

  • Experience with SEC, state, and/or other regulatory examinations

  • Bonus points for familiarity with the Tamarac technology suite, MoneyGuidePro, Raymond James, EOS, and the Small Giants Community

Abilities and Competencies:

  • The capacity to inspire, a love to teach, patience and calmness when difficult situations arise, the ability to recognize when a tough decision needs to be made and help others to understand it, and the belief in the power of the team (that the team is greater than the sum of the individuals)

  • Superior knowledge of financial services, including industry regulations and legislative guidelines

  • Technologically-savvy, can easily learn new software

  • Strong service mindset and drive to go above and beyond to provide the best possible client and team experience

  • Organized and detail oriented while managing and prioritizing multiple tasks simultaneously

  • Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, demanding environment

  • Superior management skills with ability to lead and engage direct and indirect reports and peers

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

The Perks:

  • Base salary commensurate with experience

  • Incentive compensation of up to 50% of base salary

  • Well-defined career path with professional development and future partnership/equity ownership opportunities

  • Benefits include 401(k) plan with employer match, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, disability and life insurance, flex spending account, health savings account, paid parental leave, vacation and personal days, ability to purchase additional vacation days, paid holidays, paid volunteer days, etc.

Culture:

  • We hire and reward upon our core values – Commitment to the Financial Planning Process, Education & Personal Growth, Nice & Kind, Teamwork & Collaboration, Energy & Enthusiasm, and Real & Down to Earth 

  • Our job is serious, but we make having fun at The Center a priority! Ex. Fowling, curling, whirly ball, kick ball, chili cook offs, happy hours, Halloween costume contests, family picnics, charitable team events, etc.

  • Driven, competitive group of professionals who are always seeking ways to learn and grow themselves AND the firm

  • Various internal committees focused on improving our team experience (social, health and wellness, charitable, technology, etc.)

Awards & Recognition:

  • Recognized by Crain’s as one of Michigan’s Best Places to Work (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017) an annual ranking of Michigan’s best work environments based on factors such as benefits, policies, perks and engagement as measured by employee and employer-based surveys

  • Recognized by InvestmentNews as a Best Place to Work for Financial Advisors (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018), an annual ranking recognizing financial advisory firms for outstanding human resources practices and policies

Click here to learn more about our team and individual awards and recognition

Interested? Send your cover letter and resume to CenterCareers@CenterFinPlan.com.

Investment News “2024 Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors”. The Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers program is a national program managed by Best Companies Group. The survey and recognition program are dedicated to identifying and recognizing the best employers in the financial advice/wealth management industry. The final list is based on the following criteria: must be a registered investment adviser (RIA), affiliated with an independent broker-dealer (IBD), or a hybrid doing business through an RIA and must be in business for a minimum of one year and must have a minimum of 15 full-time/part-time employees. The assessment process is compiled in a two part process based on the findings of the employer benefits & policies questionnaire and the employee engagement & satisfaction survey. The results are analyzed and categorized according to 8 Core Focus Areas: Leadership and Planning, Corporate Culture and Communications, Role Satisfaction, Work Environment, Relationship with Supervisor, Training, Development and Resources, Pay and Benefits and Overall Engagement. Best Companies Group will survey up to 400 randomly selected employees in a company depending on company size. The two data sets are combined and analyzed to determine the rankings. A total of 75 employers won . The ranking is based on fiscal year 2023 and was released on 02/28/2024. The award is not representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor's future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. Investment News and/or Best Companies Group is not affiliated with Raymond James.”

Crain's 2024 Detroit Business Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan, developed by Best Companies Group, is based on evaluating employee surveys and the organizations benefits package. To be considered, the organization must: be a publicly or privately held business, be a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity, have a facility in Southeast Michigan, have at least 15 full or part-time employees working in Southeast Michigan, be in business for a minimum of one year, and pay a fee to be considered. 93 of the self-nominated applicants won the award. This ranking was released on 8/22/2024, This recognition is neither an evaluation of services offered, nor a ranking of the Center for Financial Planning associates as investment adviser representatives. This award is not representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor's past or future performance. Crain's Detroit Business and/or Best Companies Group is not affiliated with Raymond James.

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