Wealth Management Executive Search
Short answer: Wealth management executive search is a recruiter-led hunt for senior and hard-to-fill roles at advisory firms: leaders, market and branch managers, heads of advisor recruiting, planning directors and operations heads. UpTick Consulting Partners runs the search from role definition to signed offer, reaching people who are not on job boards and presenting only candidates who fit.
Key takeaways
- For RIAs, independent and hybrid broker-dealers, regional firms, banks and wirehouses.
- Confidential searches, including replacements for people still in the seat.
- We define the role and the pitch before we contact a single candidate.
- Our team has been dedicated to recruiting for 15 years.
What roles does our wealth management executive search cover?
| Area | Typical roles |
|---|---|
| Firm leadership | President, managing partner, COO, head of wealth management |
| Growth and recruiting | Head of advisor recruiting, business development director, market or regional leader |
| Advisors and teams | Lead and senior advisors, private wealth advisors, team leaders |
| Planning and investments | Director of financial planning, senior planner, investment and research leads |
| Operations and compliance | Director of operations, chief compliance officer, transition and onboarding leads |
How our executive search process works
- Define the role. We agree on outcomes, must-haves and compensation range with your leadership.
- Sharpen the pitch. We test why a strong candidate would leave a good job for yours, and fix weak spots before going to market.
- Map and source. We build a target list across competing firms and approach passive candidates directly and confidentially.
- Screen and present. You see a short slate with notes on fit, motivation and compensation expectations.
- Run interviews and close. We schedule, debrief both sides, benchmark the offer and manage resignation.
- Support onboarding. We stay in touch through the first months so the hire lands well.
Why firms use a specialist executive search partner
The best leaders and advisors are rarely applying for jobs. A specialist knows who they are, what they earn and what would move them. Searches also stay confidential, which matters when you are replacing someone or entering a new market.
We also recruit experienced producing advisors and teams for firms. See advisor recruiting for firms.
Is your firm ready for a senior hire?
- Can you explain in two sentences why someone should join you now?
- Is the compensation range set and approved?
- Do decision-makers have time for interviews in the next 30 days?
- Is there a 90-day plan for the person you hire?
If any answer is no, we start there.
Planning a senior hire?
Book a 30-minute call to scope the role, the market and a realistic timeline.
FAQ: wealth management executive search
What is wealth management executive search?
It is a recruiter-led search for senior or specialized roles at advisory firms, such as firm leaders, heads of advisor recruiting, planning directors and operations heads, usually focused on passive candidates.
What types of firms do you run executive searches for?
RIAs, independent and hybrid broker-dealers, regional firms, banks and wirehouses.
Are executive searches confidential?
Yes. We can run a search without naming your firm until a candidate is qualified and interested.
How long does an executive search take?
Many searches take 60 to 120 days from kickoff to accepted offer, depending on the role and market.
About the author: Marc Elia is the founder of UpTick Consulting Partners, a financial advisor recruiting firm and transition consultancy in Red Bank, New Jersey. He works with experienced advisors and teams weighing a move between wirehouses, regional firms, independent broker-dealers, hybrid RIAs and independent RIAs.
About UpTick Consulting Partners: UpTick is paid by receiving firms, so its consulting is at no cost to advisors. UpTick is not an investment advisor and does not provide investment, tax or legal advice. 646.734.0334 · marc@uptickrecruiting.com · uptickrecruiting.com