Strategic Advisor

Overview

Some opportunities come along once in a career. Girard, Univest’s full-service wealth advisory division, is seeking a Strategic Advisor to serve as a trusted lead advisor to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families and business owners across our Business Owner & Private Wealth Advisory practice.

In this role, you will guide clients through life’s most defining decisions, from business succession and liquidity events to multi-generational wealth planning, while collaborating with attorneys, CPAs, and other specialists. You will also mentor emerging advisors and help shape the growth and future of a practice built on independence, local accessibility, and a genuine commitment to clients’ best interests.

If you are a seasoned leader ready to make your mark, we want to hear from you. Apply today and help us redefine what exceptional wealth advisory looks like.

Responsibilities

Client Advisory & Relationship Leadership

Serve as lead advisor to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and families.

Facilitate discussions surrounding business ownership, succession, liquidity, family dynamics, and long-term planning objectives.

Lead the development and presentation of strategic planning recommendations.

Guide clients through complex financial and personal decisions involving competing priorities and stakeholders.

Deepen relationships through proactive advice, thought leadership, and comprehensive planning.

Business Owner & Strategic Planning

Advise business owners on succession, continuity, transition, and exit planning strategies.

Evaluate ownership structures, buy-sell arrangements, generational transfer opportunities, and liquidity event readiness.

Coordinate planning considerations surrounding mergers, acquisitions, private equity transactions, ESOPs, management buyouts, and family transitions.

Assist clients in aligning business decisions with personal wealth, tax, estate, and legacy objectives.

Advanced Wealth Planning

Lead planning engagements involving:

• Trust and estate planning
• Wealth transfer strategies
• Charitable and philanthropic planning
• Executive compensation planning
• Income tax-aware planning
• Asset protection considerations
• Family governance and multi-generational wealth education
• Real estate and capital structure analysis
• Coordinate closely with attorneys, CPAs, valuation experts, investment bankers, commercial bankers, and other specialized advisors.

Team Leadership & Practice Development

Mentor and develop junior advisors and planning professionals.

Contribute to the continued evolution of the firm's advisory process, client experience, and

planning capabilities.

Participate in business development initiatives and centers-of-influence relationships.

Support the growth and scalability of the Business Owner & Private Wealth Advisory practice.

Serve as a resource for complex planning matters across the organization.

Accountable for compliance with laws and regulations that apply to this position including the Univest Code of Conduct.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, Law, or a related field required.

Advanced degree or professional designation preferred (MBA, JD, CFP®, CFA®, CPA, CEPA®, CTFA, or similar).

10+ years of experience in wealth management, private banking, trust and estate advisory, business consulting, corporate finance, family office, public accounting, legal advisory, or a related professional services environment.

Demonstrated experience working with high-net-worth, ultra-high-net-worth, and business-owner clients.

Experience leading complex client engagements involving multiple stakeholders and professional advisors.

Knowledge & Technical Expertise

Deep understanding of wealth management and financial planning concepts, including investment, retirement, estate, trust, risk management, charitable, tax-aware, and business succession planning strategies.

Knowledge of business ownership structures, liquidity events, ownership transitions, and generational wealth planning.

Ability to evaluate complex financial, business, and personal planning issues and develop comprehensive client recommendations.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.

Proficiency with financial planning, CRM, and Microsoft Office applications.

Leadership & Relationship Management

Strong client relationship and consultative communication skills.

Ability to lead sophisticated planning discussions and present complex concepts in a clear and practical manner.

Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys, CPAs, commercial bankers, investment professionals, valuation experts, and other specialists.

Proven ability to mentor junior professionals and contribute to team development.

Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex engagements simultaneously.

Core Competencies

Strategic Thinking

Relationship Management

Executive Presence

Business Acumen

Collaboration & Influencing

Sound Judgment & Decision-Making

Problem Solving

Leadership & Coaching

Client Focus

Professional Integrity

Wage Range:

The salary for this position starts from $100,000+

Benefits Overview:

Univest offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental and vision coverage (single or family; begins the first of the month following start date)
• Retirement Plan: Participation in 401(k) plan with up to a 3% employer match after 6 months of employment
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 25 days annually (prorated your first year)
• Short Term Disability: 12 weeks of sick time with a doctors note after 6 months of service
• Holiday Time Off: 11 paid holidays
• We offer company paid life insurance: as well as other supplemental insurances
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Wellness programs: including fitness club discounts and fitness tracker discounts/ annual reimbursement
• Discounts: on loan products
• Professional development trainings

Click here for Benefit Information

#Girard

An Equal Opportunity Employer. Univest does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, disability or protected veteran status.

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