Chief Operating Officer, US Wealth Management

Chief Operating Officer, US Wealth Management

Join to apply for the Chief Operating Officer, US Wealth Management role at Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC

Founded in 1929, Lord Abbett is an independent firm focused on managing money. The firm is a leading global independent investment manager with a reputation for active management, innovation, and client service. In 2024 we were ranked #1 in Barron’s Best Fund Families and are a best place to work for five consecutive years.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) partners with Sales Leadership and key functions to drive growth of the U.S. Wealth business. Acting as a strategic thought partner, the COO shapes long‑term planning, key initiatives, and organizational design to enhance competitiveness and scale. The COO translates strategy into clear priorities, ensures effective execution across teams, manages talent and resource planning, and provides the structure and information needed for peak performance.

The COO also leads efforts to evolve the U.S. Wealth organization, driving scalability, operational excellence, and informed decision‑making.

• Partner with the Head of U.S. Wealth and Sales Leaders to define business strategy and key initiatives, ensuring execution through clear operating processes and KPIs.
• Model and manage the talent pipeline—forecast headcount needs, plan future role requirements, and ensure the sales organization remains fully resourced in partnership with HCM and Sales Leaders.
• Collaborate with Client Information Services (CIS) to provide data, scorecards, and dashboards for effective performance management and territory execution. Translate insights into actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Support organizational scaling and territory expansion, evaluating coverage needs, designing new territories, and refining the structure and roles of the sales organization over time.
• Manage the sales operating rhythm across national and regional calls, training programs, portfolio manager roadshows, and portfolio specialist travel.
• Partner with Finance and Sales Leadership on compensation, headcount planning, budgeting, expense management, and forecasting product flows.
• Collaborate with Product Management and Marketing to execute product scaling plans, ensuring clear communication, coordinated campaigns, and effective sales implementation.
• Collaborate with Strategic Relationship Management on dealer‑specific strategic plans, aligning communication, priorities, and sales execution across key firms.
• Ensure coordination and communication across Sales Leadership, Marketing (Product Management and CIS), Finance, HCM, Legal, Compliance, and Senior Leadership to maintain alignment and follow‑through.
• Lead or sponsor technology initiatives to improve sales efficiency (CRM, analytics, automation). Evaluate and implement process improvements for scalability and operational excellence.
• Partner with Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management and maintain business continuity plans and compliance adherence for the sales organization.

• 10–15+ years of experience in asset management, wealth management, or financial services, with significant exposure to U.S. Wealth / intermediary sales.
• Proven experience partnering directly with senior sales leadership (e.g., Head of Sales, National Sales Managers) as a strategic operator and advisor.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business strategy into operating priorities, KPIs, and execution plans.
• Experience leading long‑term planning, organizational design, and key initiatives for growth and scalability.
• Deep background in sales operations, including performance dashboards, scorecards, and analytics; territory design, coverage models, and execution oversight.
• Hands‑on experience partnering with data/analytics teams (e.g., CRM, CIS, BI teams) to drive insights and accountability.
• Experience forecasting headcount needs, managing talent pipelines, and aligning staffing models with growth plans.
• Strong experience in budgeting, expense management, forecasting, and compensation planning within a sales organization.
• Comfort partnering with Finance on product flows, headcount…