Executive Director, Estate Planning

Executive Director, Estate Planning

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).

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.

Advanced Estate Planning & Strategy

• Lead the design and delivery of sophisticated estate plans for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families
• Advise on complex wealth transfer strategies, including GRATs, SLATs, IDGTs, charitable structures, and family governance frameworks
• Partner with advisors to position estate planning as a central driver of client acquisition and retention
• Translate technical legal concepts into actionable strategies for clients and advisors

Advisor Partnership & Client Engagement

• Serve as a trusted advisor to Hightower's financial advisors and their clients
• Participate in client meetings to present strategies and reinforce planning value
• Support business development efforts by enhancing advisors' ability to win new relationships
• Collaborate with external attorneys, accountants, and trustees as part of the client's broader advisory ecosystem

Thought Leadership & Market Presence

• Develop 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 CA
• Contribute to Hightower's brand as a leader in advanced planning capabilities

Quality, Risk & Governance

• Ensure all planning strategies meet the highest standards of technical accuracy, compliance, and fiduciary responsibility
• Establish and maintain best practices across planning deliverables
• Partner with internal legal and compliance teams to align on evolving regulatory requirements

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams across estate, tax, investment, and business advisory functions
• Foster a culture of collaboration, intellectual rigor, and continuous improvement

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field
• Juris 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 planning
• Demonstrated 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 preferred
• Expertise in advising clients in high-tax jurisdictions, cross-border planning, closely held business succession, and philanthropic structuring.

What We Offer

• Coverage on the first day of employment for medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid parental leave (16 weeks for primary caregiver and 8 weeks for secondary caregiver)
• Mother's lounge onsite
• Flexible PTO plan
• In-office Monday through Thursday and work from home on Fridays
• Free brand-new gym in the Chicago office
• 401k matching plan
• HSA employer contributions
• Student loan assistance
• Pet insurance
• Base 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.