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The Manager, Centralized Financial Planning provides the operational leadership, direction, and accountability for Blue Trust’s Centralized Financial Planning service. This role is responsible for the strategic direction, operational excellence, and missional alignment of the centralized financial planning function, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive, biblically aligned financial planning services in the National Office.This position is a part of a centralized service center located in the Blue Trust National Office in Alpharetta, GA.
Principal Accountabilities:
1. Team Leadership - Sincerely values people and applies the principles embodied in the Company’s Management Language and core values to lead their team in a manner that respects and values each individual rather than a top-down, authoritative leadership style.
- Effectively stewards the unique strengths and areas of giftedness of each member of the team.
- Practices the art of leadership, building and nurturing a healthy, productive, continually learning work culture focused on excellence, collaboration, and a missional focus.
- Intentionally supports team to bring about professional and personal growth providing direction and accountability through the process.
- Hires in a manner that considers firm-wide growth plans and proactively develops Financial Planners in a manner that considers these plans and ensures the readiness of future Advisors.
- Understands and uses sound HR procedures and processes in the maintenance of performance standards, performance evaluations and corrective action when necessary.
- Understands and supports the counsel and biblical basis upon which Blue Trust serves its client base.
- Leads, manages, and holds team members accountable (LMA). Establishes clear performance metrics and holds team members accountable to meeting established deadlines and performance expectations.
- Standardizes onboarding and implements best-in-class training processes and procedures for new Paraplanners and Financial Planners on the Centralized Financial Planning team
2. Strategic Planning & Execution
- Designs and implements scalable financial planning processes and tools.
- Aligns departmental goals with organizational mission and client needs.
- Ensures smooth workflow, monitors performance, identifies areas for continuous improvement, and drives operational efficiency.
- Drives innovation in planning services, including delivery and client engagement.
- Continually increases knowledge of the financial planning philosophy and biblical principles upon which Blue Trust serves its client base.
3. Client Service & Experience
- Ensures delivery of high-quality, customized financial plans that integrate investment, estate, tax, and philanthropic strategies.
- Supports advisors and relationship managers in client planning engagements.
- Maintains a client-first mindset rooted in biblical stewardship principles.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partners with leaders in Everyday Steward, Private Wealth, Investment Strategy, and Fiduciary Services to deliver holistic wealth solutions.
- Serves as a subject matter expert and internal consultant on complex planning cases.
- Serves on special committees and/or speaks into Company initiatives, as needed.
- Adheres to and follows “The Blue Trust Way” philosophy for client service counsel, deliverables, and defining moments.
5. Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies and procedures, professional designation standards, and industry regulatory standards.
- Maintains high standards of fiduciary responsibility and ethical conduct in line with our core value of Integrity.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Proven leadership experience in financial planning or private wealth management.
- Deep understanding of comprehensive financial planning, including retirement, tax, estate, insurance, and charitable giving strategies.
- Personally demonstrates in-depth knowledge of those portions of both the old and new testaments of the Bible, particularly with regard to scriptural references to money and finances, and an ability to apply and integrate this knowledge into all phases of financial planning and holds Paraplanners and Financial Planners accountable to the same standards.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and influence.
- Demonstrated ability to manage change, scale operations, and implement best practices.
- Alignment with the company’s values and mission.
- Self-starter and strong multitasker with ability to juggle multiple priorities and detail in a fast-paced environment.
- Effective reasoning/judgment skills with the ability to make independent judgments and see the 'big picture' surrounding responsibilities and tasks.
Education, Experience & Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in financial planning.
- Experience in operations management, creating and streamlining business processes, and team leadership strongly preferred.
- Experience or certifications in Lean Belt or Six Sigma preferred.
- Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and families.
- Deep familiarity with financial planning software (eMoney, MoneyGuidePro, etc.).
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
Certifications, Licenses and Registrations:
- CFP® certification required; additional designations (e.g., CPA, CFA, CAP®, CKA®) a plus.
- Embraces expectation to obtain the CKA designation within the first year of employment.
