Director, Financial Planning (Chicago Area, IL)

Chicago Area, IL

At Edelman Financial Engines (EFE), our purpose is to guide people with the financial advice they need to thrive.

We believe that every dollar saved represents a lifetime of hard work and aspirations, and every dollar invested has a job to do for our clients. That’s why we are committed to managing our clients’ investments by truly understanding them as people first and then delivering advice, strategies and solutions to help them feel confident about the plans they are making, whether for today, tomorrow, or in the great unknown future. Our goal is to build long‑term relationships based on respect, integrity, and a belief that our responsibility is to help people make smart investments decisions in every stage of their lives.

Our culture is grounded in our CORE values: Client First, One Team, Respectful Candor, and Endless Curiosity. These values guide everything we do, for our clients and each other. We are committed to moving forward together. If you are inspired by purpose‑driven work and a collaborative, values‑led culture, we invite you to explore a career with us.

As a Senior Financial Advisor, you'll provide objective, fee‑based advice and asset management, with an aim to help our clients build a better financial future. We are a fiduciary and neither the firm nor our advisors seek or accept financial incentives, commissions, or third‑party compensation for any of the investments or recommendations we offer our clients. In addition, you will engage in NO marketing activities.

Unlike traditional advisory roles that focus on converting prospects into clients, this position serves clients who have already chosen to engage with the firm and completed the enrollment process. The firm qualifies, enrolls, and assigns clients to advisors, allowing you to focus on what you do best: developing trusted relationships, delivering comprehensive financial planning, and helping clients make informed decisions that improve their financial well‑being over time.

Your role will be to serve the client's best interests, providing outstanding financial advice to those who request it. You'll receive continuing advisor education on topics vital to our clients. You'll have a dedicated team of Client Service Managers and innovative retirement planning tools and software to help you deliver the right advice to your clients.

Success in this role is driven by client satisfaction, retention, and your ability to deepen relationships that naturally lead to additional assets, expanded planning opportunities, and referrals from existing clients and their networks. Rather than managing a sales pipeline, your focus will be on delivering an exceptional client experience that strengthens long‑term relationships and supports organic growth.

We are looking for an experienced Financial Advisor with a consistent track record of effectively serving clients and able to run a growing practice, ultimately helping our clients achieve their financial goals. If you can effectively evaluate client situations, analyze their needs, develop and present a compelling set of recommendations, establish effective relationships, and deepen client engagement through ongoing planning conversations, this may be the opportunity for you!

Responsibilities:

• Serve the client's best interests, providing outstanding financial advice and guidance.
• Build trusted, long‑term relationships with clients who have already engaged with the firm and are seeking ongoing planning and advice.
• Effectively evaluate client situations and analyze their needs.
• Develop and present a compelling set of recommendations.
• Deliver comprehensive financial planning across all areas of a client's financial life.
• Adept at building positive relationships with clients.
• Proactively identify opportunities to deepen client engagement and expand planning discussions as clients' needs evolve.
• Generate organic growth through exceptional client service, trusted advice, and strong relationship management that leads to referrals, introductions, and additional assets from existing client relationships.
• Skilled at influencing clients to improve their financial well‑being.
• Drive client retention and satisfaction through exceptional advice, service, and relationship management.

Requirements:

• Direct client‑facing experience in a fee‑based wealth management or planning role.
• Results‑driven approach with a consistent track record of building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver comprehensive financial planning and generate organic growth through client retention, referrals, and relationship development.
• Desire for role with base salary, performance‑based compensation, and growing earnings potential.
• Must possess an active Series 65.
• Must possess an active Health and Life Insurance license or will be required to obtain it within the first three months of employment.
• A clean U‑4.
• A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or other certification is desired but not required.

Edelman Financial Engines takes a market‑based approach to pay. The anticipated total target cash range for this role is $125,000 – $350,000, comprised of base salary and bonus. Your bonus potential is directly linked to your performance and success in growing sales and client relationships. However, final base pay will be carefully determined based on several factors, including responsibilities, job‑related skills, relevant experience, geographic location, and market conditions. Additionally, this role may be eligible for other forms of compensation and benefits, such as a discretionary bonus, health, dental and other wellness plans, and 401(k) contributions.

About Edelman Financial Engines

Since 1986, Edelman Financial Engines has been committed to always acting in the best interests of our clients. We were founded on the belief that all investors – not just the wealthy – deserve access to personal, comprehensive financial planning and investment advice. Recognized by Barron’s as a top RIA firm for eight years in a row(awarded each September (2018-2025) based on prior 12‑month data through June 30) 1 ,wesupportmorethan1.27 million clientsacross 140+ offices nationwide and manage over$324billionin assets 2 .Our unique approach to serving clients combines our advancedmethodologyand proprietary technology with the attention of a dedicated personal financial planner. Every client’s situation and goals are unique, and the powerful fusion of high‑tech and high touch allows Edelman Financial Engines to deliver the personal plan and financial confidence that everyone deserves.

For California residents, please see the link for the Privacy Notice for Candidates . California law requires that we provideyouthis notice about the collection and use of your personal information. Please read it carefully.

Edelman Financial Engines encourages success based on our individual merits and abilities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy; marital, domestic partner or civil union status; national origin, citizenship, ancestry, ethnic heritage, genetic information, age, legally recognized disability, military service or veteran status.

Accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the hiring process that would enable you to fully participate in that process. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request one at any time by either contacting your recruiter or View email address on click.appcast.io .

1 TheBarron’s Top 100 RIA Firms list, an annual ranking of independent advisory firms, is based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. Firmselecttoparticipatebut do not pay to be included in the ranking. The 2018 ranking refers to Edelman Financial Services, LLC, which combined its advisory business in its entirety with Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. (FEA) in November 2018. For the same survey, FEA received aprecombinationranking of 12th.

2 EdelmanFinancial Engines data, as of September 30, 2025