Financial Planner

About the jobThis is a role that Forgent is recruiting for on behalf of our client, an independent, planning-led wealth management firm based in Fairfield, CT.TitleLead Financial PlannerCompensation$120K Base + $40K Performance BonusLocationFairfield, CT (Hybrid: Mondays in-office for team meetings, remainder virtual). Candidates anywhere in Connecticut or the New York City metropolitan area are commutable. The office is walkable from the Metro-North train station.Company DescriptionOur client is a growing independent RIA serving business leaders and high-earning professionals with full-scope, cash-flow-based financial planning. The firm is founder-led, technology-forward, and built around a straightforward belief: great planning, real relationships, and a team that holds itself to a high standard every day. The founder is actively integrating AI into the firm's infrastructure and is looking for someone who is energized by building systems, not just maintaining them.Job DescriptionThis is the firm's most important hire. You will step into a lead advisor seat, own client relationships, build and deliver comprehensive financial plans, and play a central role in shaping the firm's client experience from the ground up. You are not being asked to prospect, cold call, or bring a book of business. The founder handles all client acquisition. Your job is to be an exceptional planner and client advisor, and to help build the systems and workflows that make the firm's service model best-in-class.What makes this different from most lead advisor roles: the founder comes from a leadership and operations background, not a planning background. He has led large teams, built organizations, and knows how to develop people. He is looking for someone who is a great financial planner, and in return, he will invest heavily in helping you grow as a leader, a businessperson, and eventually a partner in the firm. If you have ever wanted a founder who is genuinely committed to coaching you into a leadership role rather than just handing you a stack of clients and walking away, this is that opportunity.Why this role is remarkableYou are joining as the key hire at a firm that is purpose-built to scale. The founder is building a sustainable, team-first enterprise and he wants you to help him do it.The founder's background is in leadership, coaching, and growing businesses, not financial planning. That is intentional. He will actively develop your leadership, management, and business-building skills in return. Daily check-ins, and weekly one-on-ones.There is a real path to partnership. Not a vague promise five years out. The right person could have some form of equity or profit-sharing within two years based on performance. The founder wants partners who earn it and share in what they build together.The compensation is competitive and transparent. $120K base plus a $40K quarterly performance bonus tied to firm and individual targets. This is not a discretionary bonus. You will have clear metrics, and the bonus is paid every quarter because the founder believes you should feel the upside in real time, not wait for a year-end decision.You are not being asked to hunt for clients. The founder handles all business development and client acquisition. Your entire focus is planning, relationships, and helping build a client experience that earns referrals organically.The client base is sophisticated but manageable. Typical clients are 35 to 55, corporate executives and business owners, household income above $500K, investable assets between $2M and $8M. This is substantive planning work with engaged, high-caliber clients.The firm is investing aggressively in technology and AI. You will be part of building a modern, scalable infrastructure from the early stages, not inheriting someone else's legacy systems.What You Will DoBuild and present comprehensive, cash-flow-based financial plans for high-net-worth clients using Right Capital (experience with any major planning software translates).Own client relationships and deliver an exceptional first-100-day client experience that sets the standard for the firm's service model going forward.Collaborate with the founder on designing and refining client service systems, technology workflows, and processes that make the firm more scalable and efficient.Participate in a structured 90-day onboarding: the first 30 days are learning and shadowing; days 30 to 60 you begin meeting existing clients and supporting new client work; days 60 to 90 you are taking on new clients with the founder's support and coaching alongside you.Evolve over time into a leadership role. The founder's five-year vision is a firm with a team of planners, and he hopes you will be the person leading them.The ideal candidate3+ years of client-focused financial planning experience. You have built plans, presented them to clients, managed ongoing relationships, and you are ready to step into a lead chair.CFP designation preferred. If you do not have it but you are a strong planner willing to pursue it, the founder will entertain that conversation.RIA background is a strong advantage. Independent broker-dealer experience is a close second. Wirehouse experience alone is less ideal, but a strong candidate from any background will get a fair look.You may be a second-chair advisor or associate planner at a larger firm who is ready to run your own book. The founder specifically values candidates making this transition and is set up to support it.You care about building, not just advising. The systems, the workflows, the client experience playbook. If you have a passion for making things work better, that is a major selling point for this seat, even if you have no formal experience doing it.You are coachable and you give feedback as well as you receive it. The culture here is direct, collaborative, and built around getting better together. If you thrive in that kind of environment, you will love working here.This is probably not for you if...You want a fully remote role with no in-person interaction. This role requires one day a week in Fairfield on Mondays, and the founder values that time together.You want a low-intensity environment. The founder cares about his people and will invest in your growth. If you want to coast, this is not the seat.You're not interested in building and growing something special.About ForgentForgent is an AI-powered recruiting service purpose-built for producer-led financial services firms. We partner with independent agencies, RIAs, and advisory practices to find experienced professionals who fit, not just on paper, but in practice. Our approach combines deep industry expertise with technology to make better matches and better outcomes for firms and candidates alike.Next stepsAfter you apply on LinkedIn, we will send you an email outlining our approach:Step 1. Visit our website.Step 2. Click 'Get Started'.Step 3. Register and complete our 10-minute Career Chat so we can understand your experience and ambitions.Step 4. We will make sure our clients considers you for this role.Step 5. If our client thinks you're a great fit and wants to meet you, we will make the introduction.Step 6. If not, we will work to find you excellent alternatives. All for free.We never post fake jobs