Managing Director - Wealth Management - Strategy and Operations

CLA is currently seeking a Managing Director – Wealth Strategy & Operations

Why This Role Matters

The next era of Wealth Advisory at CLA is being built right now, and this role will help shape what comes next. The Managing Director serves as a strategic advisor and operations partner to the Chief Wealth Officer, helping shape and advance the strategic priorities of CLA Wealth Advisory. This leader drives high-impact initiatives involving business transformation, growth, profitability, advisor effectiveness, and organizational scalability.

Combining strategic thinking, executive influence, and operational discipline, this role turns complex business challenges into actionable solutions and measurable results.

Unlike traditional RIAs, CLA's Wealth Advisory practice is one of the nation’s largest wealth management firms operating inside one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S., creating unique opportunities to collaborate across tax, consulting, outsourcing, valuation, and other advisory services while delivering comprehensive solutions to clients. This role will help shape and execute many of the initiatives that define the future of the business.

Partner closely with the Chief Wealth Officer to evaluate opportunities, solve complex business challenges, and drive the strategic priorities of CLA Wealth Advisory.

Lead complex, cross-functional projects from assessment and recommendation through implementation and adoption that support growth, profitability, and organizational effectiveness.

Develop business cases, financial analyses, and strategic recommendations.

Serve as a trusted advisor on issues related to business strategy, operating models, organizational design, client experience, advisor productivity, and growth initiatives.

Business Transformation & Growth:
Evaluate opportunities to improve client segmentation, service models, advisor effectiveness, pricing strategies, and operational scalability. Drive strategic growth, transformation, and acquisition integration efforts across the Wealth business. Identify opportunities to improve profitability, client outcomes, and advisor experience.

Strategic Leadership & Execution:
Lead high-impact strategic initiatives that drive growth, profitability, advisor effectiveness, organizational performance, and long-term scalability across the Wealth business. Develop business cases, recommendations, and execution plans while influencing and aligning stakeholders across the organization. Drive accountability, decision-making, and successful execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives, communicating progress and outcomes to executive leadership.

10+ years of relevant experience required.

Bachelor's degree required. Combination of relevant experience, education, and training may be accepted in lieu of a degree (Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field highly preferred).

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7, 24, and 65 licenses required (or equivalent).

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation preferred.

Highly Preferred:
Leadership experience in Wealth Advisory, wealth management, or financial services, with a demonstrated record of transforming operations, and driving business growth and strategic outcomes highly preferred.

Proven success leading complex strategic initiatives involving wealth advisory business transformation, operating model design, growth strategy, organizational effectiveness, or acquisition integration.

Strong business, financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and drive change across an organization.

Experience with in an RIA, wealth management firm, broker-dealer, private wealth platform, or wealth advisory consulting firm; experience with client segmentation, pricing strategy, advisor productivity, and business transformation initiatives required.

Competitive executive compensation and incentive opportunities, comprehensive benefits and retirement programs and professional growth…