Job Summary

The Financial Planning Advisor leads assigned client relationships, independently handling most client needs while providing thoughtful, personalized financial guidance. This role develops and monitors comprehensive financial plans, oversees investment strategy, and helps clients align their financial resources with what matters most to them, including the legacy they want to leave. The Financial Planning Advisor works closely with the Personal Wealth Director and collaborates with Associate Advisors, Client Service Associates, investment, operations, and compliance team members to provide an exceptional client experience. The Financial Planning Advisor may also help other team members strengthen their technical knowledge and client relationship skills. This role reports to the Personal Wealth Director.

People Management: This position may supervise or provide day-to-day leadership to an Associate Advisor, Client Service Associate, and/or other assigned support team members.

Essential Job Functions

Client Relationship Management

· Serve as the primary advisor for assigned client relationships, independently addressing most client needs and situations.

· Prepare for and lead client meetings focused on understanding each client’s financial circumstances, values, priorities, goals, and risk tolerance.

· Build and maintain long-term relationships through proactive communication, attentive listening, sound judgment, and reliable follow-through.

· Communicate complex financial concepts and recommendations in clear, simple, and practical terms.

· Coordinate with clients’ outside tax, legal, insurance, and other professional advisors, as appropriate.

Financial Planning and Advice

· Develop and deliver financial planning recommendations tailored to each client’s needs, priorities, and goals.

· Create, maintain, and monitor financial plans using RightCapital, adjusting recommendations as clients’ lives, priorities, and circumstances evolve.

· Analyze clients’ income, expenses, assets, liabilities, cash flow, taxes, insurance needs, estate considerations, and short- and long-term objectives.

· Provide thoughtful guidance across retirement planning, education planning, risk management, estate planning, charitable giving, and other relevant planning areas.

· Advise on advanced planning needs, which may include equity compensation, employer and business retirement plans, life, disability and long-term care insurance, buy-sell agreements, required minimum distributions, qualified charitable distributions, donor-advised funds, and trust distributions.

Investment and Tax Strategy

· Oversee clients’ investment strategy within the context of their broader financial plan, including risk and return objectives, asset allocation, portfolio positioning, and ongoing monitoring.

· Provide tax planning and scenario analysis using Holistiplan and other approved tools, while recognizing when coordination with a client’s tax professional is appropriate.

· Lead internal client review meetings and coordinate investment recommendations, implementation, and client communication.

· Remain informed about market conditions, planning developments, and industry practices that may affect clients or improve CapSouth’s service offering.

Compliance and Client Records

· Act in each client’s best interest and uphold CapSouth’s fiduciary, ethical, confidentiality, and regulatory responsibilities.

· Maintain accurate and timely client records and document advice, recommendations, and material client communications in approved systems in accordance with CapSouth’s policies and procedures.

· Follow established compliance policies and procedures and collaborate with compliance and operations resources to address questions or concerns.

Relationship Growth and Community Engagement

· Deepen existing client relationships by understanding evolving needs and identifying appropriate ways CapSouth can continue to serve clients and their families.

· Develop relationships through referrals, professional networks, and community involvement consistent with CapSouth’s ideal client focus.

· Contribute to client retention and firm growth by cultivating existing client relationships and developing and executing a personal relationship-building and marketing plan to connect with ideal clients and guide prospects through the decision to engage CapSouth.

Team Leadership and Development

· Collaborate closely with Associate Advisors, Client Service Associates, and other team members to deliver a coordinated, high-touch client experience.

· Delegate work with clear expectations, maintain appropriate oversight, and help team members understand how their work supports the client relationship.

· Coach and develop assigned team members through timely feedback, recognition, technical guidance, and opportunities for increasing responsibility.

· Serve as a resource for complex client matters and model sound judgment, personal accountability, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

· Participate in or lead firm committees, process improvements, and special projects as assigned.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Key Leadership Behaviors and Skills

· Commitment to personally live out CapSouth’s mission, vision, and core values.

· Leads with integrity, respect, accountability, and collaboration.

· Inspires and empowers others while fostering an engaged, high-performing culture.

· Keeps the team focused on key priorities and desired results.

· Builds trust through empathy, authenticity, active listening, and consistent follow-through.

· Communicates candidly, constructively, and respectfully with clients and colleagues.

· Conveys complex financial insights in clear, concise, and easy-to-understand terms.

· Sets clear expectations and delegates responsibilities effectively while maintaining appropriate oversight.

· Coaches and develops others through actionable feedback, performance support, and positive recognition.

· Adapts their leadership approach based on the situation and the needs, experience, and readiness of the individuals involved.

· Makes timely, thoughtful decisions by gathering appropriate input, analyzing available information, and weighing potential risks and rewards.

· Demonstrates a drive to improve through curiosity, openness to feedback, continuous learning, and a willingness to test and learn.

· Navigates unique and changing situations with flexibility and sound judgment.

· Recognizes the limits of personal expertise, identifies matters requiring attention, and seeks input or coordinates with other professionals when appropriate.

Qualifications

Education and Certifications

· CFP® or ChFC® designation required.

· Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, or a related field preferred.

· Other relevant credentials, such as CPA, CFA, or MBA, are a plus.

· Required securities or investment adviser registrations must be maintained in good standing.

Experience

· Five or more years of experience in financial planning, financial advising, wealth management, or a related field preferred, including experience leading client relationships.

· Demonstrated ability to independently develop financial plans and provide advice across a range of planning topics; this role requires hands-on planning work, not only delegation to others.

· Experience with MoneyGuidePro, eMoney, or RightCaptial, required; experience with Holistiplan, Customer Relationship Management software, preferred.

· An existing book of business is not required.

Other Key Competencies

· Demonstrates a client-centered mindset and commitment to delivering an exceptional, high-touch client experience.

· Builds long-term relationships through trust, empathy, professionalism, and responsiveness.

· Asks thoughtful questions and listens carefully to understand and respond to client needs.

· Demonstrates strong financial acumen, including an understanding of accounting principles, financial analysis, financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and risk management.

· Interprets complex financial data, identifies meaningful trends, and uses financial information to support sound recommendations and decisions.

· Applies strong analytical and problem-solving skills with careful attention to detail.

· Identifies complexity, demonstrates resourcefulness, and develops clear, practical, and actionable solutions.

· Recognizes issues requiring attention and provides or seeks appropriate support.

· Manages multiple priorities and competing deadlines effectively.

· Works effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

· Adapts successfully to a growing, small-company environment where responsibilities may be varied and roles and processes continue to evolve.

· Demonstrates sound judgment, professional discretion, and a commitment to ethical standards.

· Maintains client confidentiality and consistently fulfills CapSouth’s fiduciary responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

· Prolonged periods of stationary office work and use of a computer and other standard office equipment.

· Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, by telephone, and during virtual meetings.

· Visual acuity to read and analyze printed and electronic financial documents and data.

· Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting of items weighing up to 15 pounds.

· Ability to travel to client meetings and other business-related events as necessary.