Planning Associate

ABOUT THE ROLELegacy Wealth Planning is a Northwestern Mutual wealth management firm built around a holistic financial planning philosophy. We are hiring a Senior Planning Associate to work directly alongside our Lead Planner supporting the preparation and delivery of comprehensive financial plans across a growing, high-net-worth client base.This is a substantive planning role that will manage complex planning cases, prepare investment-integrated financial plans, contribute to advisor-facing presentations, and play a meaningful role in the planning department's output and quality.The right person brings technical depth, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to getting financial plans right.ABOUT LEGACY WEALTH PLANNINGLegacy Wealth Planning is a multi-partner Northwestern Mutual practice with five advisors serving clients across comprehensive financial planning, wealth management, and insurance. Our planning philosophy is holistic insurance and investments work together in every plan we build, and our clients experience that integration at every touchpoint. We are a firm that is investing seriously in our people, our systems, and our operational structure as we scale toward the next phase of growth.WHAT YOU WILL DOFinancial Plan Preparation & DeliveryIndependently prepare comprehensive financial plans across a range of client complexity levels: retirement, income planning, risk management, estate considerations, and investment strategyManage the full planning workflow from fact-finder through plan delivery using the firm's planning software (PX)Integrate investment analysis and portfolio strategy into comprehensive financial plans, including understanding how asset allocation, risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment recommendations work within the broader planning contextPrepare case analysis and presentation materials in support of advisor client meetings, including plan summaries, recommendation rationale, and supporting illustrationsReview and refine plan components for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with the firm's planning standardsCommunicate proactively with the Lead Planner on case status, timelines, and any issues requiring judgment callsInvestment-Integrated PlanningDemonstrate senior-level proficiency in the investment components of a comprehensive financial plan asset allocation strategy, portfolio analysis, retirement income projections, and investment recommendation rationaleBuild and present investment-focused plan components that reflect a deep understanding of the client's full financial pictureUnderstand how insurance and investment products interact within a holistic plan and communicate that integration clearly in plan documents and advisor presentationsStay current on investment planning concepts, market considerations, and planning software capabilities relevant to the firm's client baseAdvisor & Client SupportParticipate in client planning meetings in a supporting capacity, contributing to discussions, answering planning questions, and building client-facing confidence over timeMaintain strong working relationships with advisors through reliable output, proactive communication, and consistent follow-throughIdentify planning opportunities within existing client relationships and surface them to the Lead Planner or advisorSupport advisors in preparing for complex or high-priority client conversations with well-organized materials and clear analysisDepartment ContributionContribute to planning process documentation and workflow improvementParticipate in department check-ins and contribute to quality standards across the planning teamSupport the Lead Planner in mentoring and reviewing work of more junior team members as the department growsWHAT WE ARE LOOKING FORTechnical planning depth. You have 35 years of financial planning experience and can independently prepare a comprehensive plan across insurance, retirement, and investment components.Senior-level investment planning proficiency. You understand how asset allocation, portfolio strategy, and investment recommendations integrate into a comprehensive financial plan.Software proficiency. Experience with financial planning software is strongly preferred.Independent judgment. You can manage a planning caseload with accuracy and follow-through and know when to surface a question.Commitment to quality. You review your own work critically before it goes out.Collaborative working style. You work well alongside a team and contribute to its success.Clear communication. You write and speak with clarity in plan documents and in conversations with advisors and clients.EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND35 years of financial planning experience in a wealth management, financial advisory, or planning-focused environmentDemonstrated proficiency in comprehensive financial plan preparationSenior-level knowledge of investment planning conceptsExperience with building plans using financial planning softwareFamiliarity with Northwestern Mutual planning methodology and products is a strong plusExperience supporting advisors in a client-facing capacity preferredLICENSING & DESIGNATIONSLife & Health license required must be held or obtained within 30 days of start dateSIE, Series 7, and Series 63 required or to be actively pursued firm will supportCFP in progress or attained strongly preferred firm will support pursuit if not yet obtainedWHAT WE OFFER$80,000 base salary, commensurate with experienceA structured career path with defined advancement criteriaCFP support the firm is committed to supporting licensing and designation attainment as part of your advancementA firm that takes planning seriously holistic, integrated, and client-centeredA collaborative team environment with real investment in structure, systems, and peopleHOW TO APPLYPlease submit your resume to jennifer.hopek@nm.comLegacy Wealth Planning is an equal opportunity employer.