Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Financial Services Manager

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a dynamic and results-oriented Financial Services Manager to lead a team of financial professionals and drive the growth of our financial services division. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for the overall performance, compliance, and strategic direction of your team. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a strong background in financial planning, wealth management, and client relationship building. You will act as a coach, a strategist, and a key partner to our clients, ensuring the delivery of exceptional financial advice and service while achieving critical business objectives. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to make a significant impact on our clients' financial futures and the success of our firm.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Financial Advisor / Wealth Advisor
Senior Relationship Manager (Banking)
Branch Manager / Assistant Branch Manager
Loan or Mortgage Department Manager

Advancement To:

Director of Financial Services
Regional or Area Manager of Wealth Management
Vice President (VP) of Private Banking
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in a smaller organization

Lateral Moves:

Risk Management Manager
Compliance Manager (Financial Services)
Investment Portfolio Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of financial advisors, personal bankers, and support staff, establishing a culture of success, accountability, and continuous professional growth.
Develop and implement comprehensive business and sales strategies to achieve and exceed revenue targets, asset growth, and client acquisition goals.
Oversee the delivery of holistic financial planning services to clients, including retirement planning, investment strategy, estate planning, insurance, and credit solutions.
Drive business development activities by building and maintaining a strong network of internal and external referral partners to generate a steady pipeline of new client opportunities.
Cultivate and deepen relationships with high-net-worth individuals and key clients, acting as a senior point of contact and trusted advisor for their complex financial needs.
Ensure all team activities, transactions, and client recommendations are in strict compliance with industry regulations (e.g., FINRA, SEC), internal policies, and ethical standards.
Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and team meetings to monitor progress against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and provide constructive feedback.
Manage the branch or department's operational budget, resource allocation, and expense control to ensure profitability and efficiency.
Act as a subject matter expert on a wide range of financial products, including mutual funds, annuities, insurance, managed accounts, and credit facilities.
Analyze market trends, economic conditions, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and risks, adjusting business strategies accordingly.
Lead the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process for new team members to ensure the acquisition of top talent.
Resolve complex client issues and complaints with a high degree of professionalism, ensuring client satisfaction and retention.
Champion the adoption and effective use of technology, including CRM and financial planning software, to enhance team productivity and the client experience.
Prepare and present regular reports on team performance, sales pipelines, and strategic initiatives to senior management.
Facilitate ongoing training and development programs for the team on topics such as new products, sales techniques, regulatory updates, and market dynamics.
Collaborate with other business lines, such as commercial banking, lending, and treasury management, to provide integrated financial solutions to clients.
Review and approve complex financial plans and investment proposals prepared by team members to ensure quality, suitability, and accuracy.
Uphold the firm's reputation and brand by demonstrating the highest level of integrity, ethical conduct, and client-centricity in all interactions.
Spearhead local marketing and community engagement initiatives to increase brand visibility and attract prospective clients.
Monitor and manage the team's loan and investment portfolios to ensure they align with the client's risk tolerance and the firm's risk management framework.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform strategic decisions.
Contribute to the organization's broader data and digital transformation strategy.
Collaborate with marketing and product development units to translate client needs into new service offerings.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for technology and process improvement projects.
Represent the firm at industry conferences, seminars, and networking events.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Financial Planning & Wealth Management: Deep expertise in creating and overseeing comprehensive financial plans.
Regulatory Compliance: In-depth knowledge of FINRA, SEC, and other relevant financial regulations.
Investment & Portfolio Management: Strong understanding of investment products, asset allocation, and portfolio construction.
Financial Analysis & Modeling: Ability to analyze financial statements, market data, and create financial projections.
CRM Software: Proficiency with CRM platforms like Salesforce for pipeline management and client tracking.
Financial Planning Software: Experience with tools such as eMoney, MoneyGuidePro, or NaviPlan.
Credit Analysis & Underwriting: Knowledge of lending principles and the ability to assess creditworthiness.
Risk Management: Skill in identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial and operational risks.
Insurance & Annuity Products: Comprehensive knowledge of life, disability, and long-term care insurance, as well as various annuity types.
Sales & Business Development: Proven ability to generate leads, build a sales pipeline, and close business.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Team Mentorship: Inspiring and developing teams to achieve peak performance.
Client Relationship Management: Building trust and long-term relationships with diverse clients.
Strategic Thinking & Execution: Developing and implementing effective business plans.
Communication & Presentation Skills: Clearly articulating complex financial concepts to various audiences.
Negotiation & Influence: Skillfully persuading and reaching agreements with clients and partners.
Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Making sound judgments under pressure and resolving complex issues.
Business Acumen: Strong understanding of the financial services industry and business operations.
Ethical Judgment: Unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical conduct.
Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced, constantly changing regulatory and market environment.
Coaching & Development: Passion for coaching team members and fostering their career growth.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's in Finance.
Professional certifications such as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Finance
Business Administration
Economics
Accounting

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-12 years of progressive experience in the financial services industry, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or management capacity.

Preferred:

Proven track record of successfully leading and coaching a team of licensed financial advisors or relationship managers in a bank, brokerage, or wealth management firm.
Active FINRA Series 7, 63/65 (or 66), and 24 licenses are highly preferred or required.
State Life, Accident, and Health insurance licenses.
Demonstrable success in driving sales, revenue, and AUM growth in a competitive market.