Executive Director, Estate Planning

Our StoryFounded in 2008, Hightower is a wealth management firm that provides investment, financial and retirement planning services to individuals, foundations and family offices, as well as 401(k) consulting and cash management services to corporations. Hightower’s capital solutions, operational support services, size and scale empower its vibrant community of independent-minded wealth advisors to grow their businesses and help their clients achieve their financial vision. Based in Chicago with advisors across the U.S., we operate as a registered investment advisor (RIA).Your Future Team Hightower’s Wealth Solutions team empowers advisors to do more for their clients by delivering specialized estate and financial planning, tax, trust, business, and investment services. The Wealth Solutions team partners with advisors as an extension of their team to differentiate their value to prospective clients and deepen their client relationships. This is a highly visible, client-facing leadership role designed for a seasoned estate planning attorney who thrives at the intersection of legal strategy, wealth planning, and relationship management.As Executive Director, you will serve as a senior subject matter expert and strategic partner to financial advisors working with HNW and UHNW clients. You will lead complex estate planning engagements, shape advanced wealth transfer strategies, and help advisors differentiate their practices in competitive markets like New York and Los Angeles. This role is ideal for candidates coming from law firms, private client practices, or family office environments who are looking to broaden their impact beyond traditional legal advisory work.What You’ll Do Advanced Estate Planning & StrategyLead the design and delivery of sophisticated estate plans for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational familiesAdvise on complex wealth transfer strategies, including GRATs, SLATs, IDGTs, charitable structures, and family governance frameworksPartner with advisors to position estate planning as a central driver of client acquisition and retentionTranslate technical legal concepts into actionable strategies for clients and advisorsAdvisor Partnership & Client EngagementServe as a trusted advisor to Hightower’s financial advisors and their clientsParticipate in client meetings to present strategies and reinforce planning valueSupport business development efforts by enhancing advisors’ ability to win new relationshipsCollaborate with external attorneys, accountants, and trustees as part of the client’s broader advisory ecosystemThought Leadership & Market PresenceDevelop and deliver high-impact educational content for advisors and clients across multiple formats (presentations, webinars, whitepapers)Stay at the forefront of estate, tax, and wealth planning developments, particularly those impacting high-tax jurisdictions like NY and CAContribute to Hightower’s brand as a leader in advanced planning capabilitiesQuality, Risk & GovernanceEnsure all planning strategies meet the highest standards of technical accuracy, compliance, and fiduciary responsibilityEstablish and maintain best practices across planning deliverablesPartner with internal legal and compliance teams to align on evolving regulatory requirementsTeam CollaborationWork closely with multidisciplinary teams across estate, tax, investment, and business advisory functionsFoster a culture of collaboration, intellectual rigor, and continuous improvementWhat You’ll Bring Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or a related fieldJuris Doctor or Master’s degree in a related field required.12+ years of experience in estate planning, financial planning, and wealth management with a focus on high-net-worth clients and prospects.Deep technical expertise in federal and state estate, gift, and income tax planningDemonstrated leadership skills and the ability to achieve results.Extensive experience driving successful outcomes in advisor and client interactions Background in a law firm, private client practice, or family office preferredExpertise in advising clients in high-tax jurisdictions, cross-border planning, closely held business succession, and philanthropic structuring.What We OfferCoverage on the first day of employment for medical, dental, and vision insurancePaid parental leave (16 weeks for primary caregiver and 8 weeks for secondary caregiver)Mother’s lounge onsiteFlexible PTO planIn-office Monday through Thursday and work from home on FridaysFree brand-new gym in the Chicago office 401k matching planHSA employer contributionsStudent loan assistancePet insuranceBase salary of $225,000- $250,000 plus discretionary bonus (exact base salary amount will be dependent on experience)AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:Hightower is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age (over 40), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related), gender identity or expression, genetic information including sickle cell or hemoglobin C trait, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local law.You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or possess other unrestricted U.S. work authorization and will not require sponsorship for U.S. work authorization now or anytime in the future.PayTypeSalary