Financial Planner - Lead

Lead Financial Planner / Service Advisor Buffalo Grove, IL (Onsite) | Full-Time | $121,000 – $150,000
Associate Level | 1 Opening

A well-established wealth management and financial planning firm is seeking an experienced Lead Financial Planner / Service Advisor to join its growing team. This role is ideal for a client-focused financial planner who is passionate about comprehensive financial and retirement planning and enjoys building long-term, trust-based client relationships.

The firm has served families across the greater Chicago area for over 20 years and provides a stable, supportive environment with strong leadership, training, and career growth opportunities.

The Lead Planner / Service Advisor is a primarily non-sales, client-facing role responsible for delivering holistic financial planning services and ongoing relationship management. Service Advisors work within a team-based “pod” structure, partnering closely with Lead Advisors who originate new client relationships. Once clients are onboarded, they transition to the Service Advisor for ongoing planning, servicing, and follow-up.

While the role is not sales-driven, there are opportunities to grow relationships through additional assets and cross-service solutions with existing clients.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients within the Holistic Wealth Management practice
• Deliver day-to-day financial planning support and respond to client inquiries, requests, and updates
• Prepare comprehensive financial plans, retirement income strategies, and retirement tracking
• Develop investment portfolio summaries and asset allocation analyses
• Conduct regular client meetings to build strong, long-term relationships
• Prepare and analyze financial planning reports and projections
• Utilize tax planning tools to evaluate client tax strategies and scenarios
• Run, compare, and review illustrations for annuities, life insurance, and long-term care solutions
• Manage one-off financial analyses and special planning requests
• Collaborate with advisors and internal team members on client cases
• Conduct scheduled client reviews aligned to assigned service models
• Proactively engage with clients throughout the year to ensure planning needs met

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience working directly with clients as a Financial Planner
• Active Series 65 or Series 66 license (required)
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial analysis tools
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple client cases simultaneously
• Strong interpersonal skills and a client-first mindset

Preferred / Nice to Have

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) designation
  • If not currently held, must be obtained within 2 years of hire
• Life Insurance license
  • If not currently held, must be obtained within 6 months of hire

• Competitive base salary with performance-based bonuses
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company matching program
• Paid time off and paid lunch hours
• Mentorship from senior advisors and firm leadership
• Clear career growth and advancement opportunities
• Supportive, collaborative, and family-oriented culture
• Onsite perks including complimentary snacks, beverages, and premium coffee