Chief Operating Officer

Greenwood Gearhart is a premier registered investment advisory (RIA) firm committed to delivering personalized, fiduciary-driven wealth management services to individuals, families, and institutional clients. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and advisory solutions, grounded in the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and client care.

We currently serve over 1100 families with $2.2 billion in assets under management.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) role is a strategic leadership position within the executive team to shape the firm’s long-term success.

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for translating Greenwood Gearhart’s vision and strategy into scalable, efficient, and resilient operating capabilities. As a strategic partner to the CEO and President, the COO will provide enterprise-level leadership across operations, technology, process design, and organizational effectiveness, ensuring the firm is positioned to deliver exceptional client experiences while supporting sustainable growth.

This role extends beyond managing day-to-day operations. The COO will lead the design of systems, structures, and teams that enable the firm to scale, manage risk, and continuously improve while building upon our culture and values. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with operational rigor and brings a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset to leadership.

Enterprise & Operational Strategy

• Partner closely with the executive leadership to develop and execute firm-wide operational strategy aligned with long-term business objectives.
• Translate strategic initiatives into clear operational priorities, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.
• Serve as a thought partner to leadership on organizational design, capacity planning, and growth initiatives.

Operating Model & Process Excellence

• Design, implement, and continuously refine the firm’s operating model to support scale, efficiency, and high-quality client service.
• Lead firm-wide process optimization initiatives, reducing complexity and improving speed, accuracy, and consistency.
• Champion the use of technology, automation, and data to modernize workflows and reduce operational friction.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing operations and administrative teams.
• Establish clear accountability, performance expectations, and professional development pathways.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the organization.
• Oversee HR operations (hiring, onboarding, performance management).
• Develop training systems and leadership development.
• Maintain culture alignment and employee engagement.

Risk Management, Compliance & Controls

• Partner with the Chief Compliance Officer to ensure operational processes support regulatory requirements and risk management objectives.
• Oversee the implementation of policies, procedures, and internal controls that mitigate operational risk while enabling business growth.
• Ensure the firm’s infrastructure remains resilient, compliant, and audit-ready.

Client Experience & Service Delivery

• Own the operational components of the client lifecycle, including onboarding, transitions, servicing, and reporting.
• Ensure operational processes consistently deliver a seamless, high-quality client experience.
• Identify opportunities to enhance service delivery as client needs and firm capabilities evolve.
• Oversee relationships with custodians, technology providers, and third-party vendors.
• Drive automation and integration initiatives.
• Evaluate vendor performance, manage costs, and ensure alignment with the firm’s strategic objectives.
• Lead technology selection and implementation efforts in partnership with leadership.

Metrics, Reporting & Decision Support

• Define and track key operational and business performance metrics.
• Provide clear, actionable insights to the executive leadership team to support decision-making.
• Use data to proactively identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, preferably within an RIA or financial services environment.
• Demonstrated experience operating at a senior or executive level, with responsibility for firm-wide initiatives.
• Deep understanding of RIA operations, client service models, compliance considerations, and regulatory environments.
• Proven ability to design scalable systems and lead organizations through growth and change.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence, align, and inspire across all levels of the firm.
• Analytical, data-driven decision-maker with a strong operational and financial acumen.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to serve as a trusted advisor to the leadership team.