Associate Advisor - Rockford, IL

Overview

Launch your advisory career the right way. Learn deeply. Grow intentionally. Serve clients meaningfully. If you’re early in your financial planning career and serious about becoming a great advisor—not just checking boxes—this role was built for you. At Savant, we don’t rush people into client-facing responsibility before they’re ready. We invest in your development, surround you with experienced advisors, and give you the training, exposure, and support to build a career—not just land a first job.

As an Associate Advisor, you’ll be embedded with an advisory team, learning our planning philosophy from the inside out while steadily growing your technical skills, confidence, and client presence. This is the foundation role for future Advisors at Savant.

Why This Role Matters – This isn’t a back-office position—and it’s not a sink-or-swim advisor role either. You’ll:

• Learn how great advice is built, delivered, and followed through
• Work directly with Advisors, clients, and internal specialists
• Develop real planning skills while pursuing your CFP®
• Gradually earn your seat—and your voice—at the client table

If your goal is to become a trusted financial advisor with strong technical depth and exceptional client instincts, this role sets you up to do exactly that.

You’ll support Advisors while actively building your own expertise across planning, investments, and client service:

• Master The Savant Way and our Ideal Futures planning process
• Support client onboarding and ongoing relationship management
• Capture, organize, and audit client data and net worth statements
• Prepare and update financial plans using planning software
• Participate in client meetings—handling prep, notes, and follow-up
• Coordinate with tax, planning, and wealth transfer specialists
• Complete self-performed planning projects and simpler cases independently
• Support more complex planning work alongside our Wealth Strategy team
• Research planning and tax topics for Advisors and clients
• Gradually take on speaking roles in client meetings as your confidence grows
• Build strong relationships with Advisors and clients as you prepare for promotion
• Complete Savant’s Advisor Training Program across planning, tax, and wealth transfer
• Develop technical knowledge of portfolio management, trading, and reporting
• Build curiosity and confidence around investments and market dynamics

• Location:
  
  Our headquarters in Rockford, IL. This is a 100% in-person job.
• Hours:
  
  Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm CT
• Compensation:
  Competitive base salary

In this role, success means:

• Advisors trust you and rely on your preparation and follow-through
• Clients receive exceptional service and feel confident working with you
• Meetings run smoothly because you’ve anticipated what’s needed
• Tasks are completed accurately, quickly, and with urgency
• You actively contribute ideas, insights, and opinions—not just execution
• You grow into presenting planning and investment concepts clearly and professionally

You’ll thrive here if you’re someone who brings both drive and humility:

• Client-first mindset with strong service instincts
• Highly detail-oriented with excellent follow-through
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Naturally collaborative and easy to work with
• Process-oriented and committed to doing things the right way
• Curious, analytical, and eager to deepen your planning knowledge
• Professional, composed, and confident without ego
• Clear, thoughtful communicator—written and verbal
• Hungry to learn, open to feedback, and motivated to grow
• Aligned with Savant’s values and long-term vision

• Bachelor’s degree in financial planning, finance, business, accounting, economics, or a related field
• New graduates through early-career professionals welcome
• Commitment to pursuing the CFP® designation
• Ability to obtain the Series 65 license within 3–6 months of hire
• Interest in building a long-term career in wealth management

This role is designed to grow into Advisor I and beyond. We’re not looking for someone who wants to stay an Associate forever—we’re looking for someone who wants to become…