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Cresset

Associate Director, Wealth Advisor

Cresset, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290

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Cresset is a firm built by clients, for clients. As an independent, award‑winning multi‑family office and private investment firm, we are reimagining the way wealth is experienced. Our purpose is to help ensure that both wealth and life are fully optimized—integrated, intentional, and aligned with each client’s vision of success.

We provide access to the caliber of talent, ideas, and investment opportunities typically available to the largest single‑family offices and institutions. Our approach is personalized, entrepreneurial, and client‑first.

Proudly owned by our clients and employees, Cresset was built to endure. We are creating a 100+ year firm—one focused on delivering an exceptional experience, not only for the families we serve but for the team that serves them. Recognized by Barron’s and Forbes among the nation’s top RIA firms, and as one of the industry’s best places to work, Cresset is guided by long‑term relationships, shared success, and a belief that wealth should serve a life well lived.

Job Description Cresset is seeking an Associate Director, Wealth Advisor (ADWA) to join Cresset’s wealth management team. The ADWA provides comprehensive support to our high‑net‑worth clients by working closely with experienced Wealth Advisors. At times, the ADWA may serve as the primary Advisor for some relationships. A successful candidate will be entrepreneurial, able to operate both independently and collaboratively, and must be comfortable independently driving relationships and projects. This role is ideal for those who wish to further their client advisory skills under the guidance and mentorship of experienced Wealth Advisors, while also overseeing a subset of lower complexity clients.

Key Responsibilities

Proactively support the Wealth Advisors (WA) in relational and strategic planning for clients and prospects by providing excellent client service, while maintaining a high level of client satisfaction.

Possess strong wealth management acumen, along with an understanding of Cresset’s investment philosophy and ongoing general market outlook, portfolio construction and management, goals‑based financial planning, risk management, alongside estate, tax and philanthropic planning considerations.

Oversee the preparation of client meeting materials and attend client and/or prospect meetings.

Manage the completion of deliverables with the Client Associate and/or various internal and external parties as needed.

Help build and maintain long‑term relationships with clients, prospects, third‑party service providers, and centers of influence.

Play a material role in shaping the investment structure for full practice.

Drive review process for client portfolios and assist in the development, presentation, and implementation of investment recommendations to clients, including portfolio construction, proposals, rebalancing, phase‑in planning, and quarterly performance reviews.

Deconstruct prospective client portfolios and reshape them into Cresset’s approach.

Understand underlying Cresset client portfolio solutions.

Run weekly / bi‑weekly internal client portfolio checks to gauge compliance with things like dollar‑cost averaging, IPS conformity, private investment denominator build, etc.

Maintain strong relationships with internal public/private allocation committee and due diligence teams.

Have relationships with all primary outside investment managers.

Develop an astute understanding of private investment solutions.

Have baseline understanding of client’s outside investments and how to complement, augment, invest around them as part of an overall allocation.

Assist in the building of the practice’s monthly economic and marketplace overview.

Collaborate with the National Investments Team to apply the firm’s best thinking to client portfolios while considering client‑specific needs regarding cash flow, taxation, liquidity, risk, and other considerations.

Assist with the implementation of client portfolio trades, including execution, margin maintenance, and settlement.

Develop and maintain investment policy statements (IPS).

Lead the production and maintenance of net worth statements, financial plans, cash flow projections, and wealth forecasting models.

Attend prospect and client meetings to gather information to create financial plans.

Review and understand estate documents (entity structures, estate plan, wills, beneficiaries, trustees) and tax returns; collaborate with other internal teams (Wealth Planning, Wealth Strategy, Tax) and external providers as needed.

Discuss core estate plan documents with clients, and their relevance to a client’s unique goals and circumstances.

Remain current on wealth planning trends, legislative developments, and techniques; identify opportunities and partner with the Wealth Advisor to enhance client planning.

Operations

Coordinate with the Client Associate and ensure tasks and requests are handled, including new client onboarding, account maintenance, new investments, redemptions, transfers, and money movement requests.

Document client notes, investment changes, and activities in Salesforce.

Review clients’ quarterly performance reports and collaborate with Reporting to identify and resolve issues.

Provide oversight and development to Associate teammates as applicable.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required; strong preference given to MBA, CFA®, or CFP® professionals or those on track to earn any of these designations.

4+ years’ previous work experience in financial services required.

Series 65 license required; unlicensed candidates required to obtain the license within 120 calendar days of employment.

Skills and Abilities

Highest ethical standards with willingness to learn and comply with SEC and other company required rules and regulations.

Initiative, problem solving ability, adaptability, and flexibility.

Effective speaking and presentation ability.

Excellent writing proficiency and communication skills.

Strong numerical aptitude.

Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects simultaneously.

Ability to work independently with limited guidance.

Coachable with the ability to work in a team environment and independently when necessary.

Learning and development mindset and drive for continuous improvement.

Personal commitment to continuing education for professional development and growth.

Proficient with Microsoft Office suite; knowledge of eMoney, Salesforce, Addepar, and custodial platforms is a plus.

What We Offer At Cresset, we focus on people first. As a service business, our people are our assets. Engaging our clients and employees is our highest priority. Starting base salary range: $120,000 - $150,000. Salary will be based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, licenses/certifications, industry knowledge, and geographic location. Cresset offers a competitive compensation package including an annual incentive and a benefits package to all full‑time employees including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, health savings accounts, short and long‑term disability insurance, voluntary critical and accident insurance, and pre‑tax parking and transportation programs. Aligning employee and organizational interests, all employees receive equity in Cresset.

It is the policy of Cresset to ensure equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, or related conditions), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. It is Cresset’s policy to comply with applicable laws concerning the employment of persons with disabilities, including reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities.

*Disclosures related to awards, recognitions, and rankings available here.

Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type Full‑time

Job Function Finance, Customer Service, and Analyst

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