Director of Financial Planning & Lead Advisor

Director of Financial Planning & Lead Advisor

About our firm

K Street Financial is a boutique wealth management firm in Washington, DC, recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State Wealth Management Team and one of the top wealth management teams in Washington, DC. The firm is grounded in collaboration, growth, service, and enduring client relationships, and operates within the Northwestern Mutual network.

This role is a key leadership position within the Planning Department and plays an essential role in aligning planning strategy with client outcomes.

Description of the role

The Director of Financial Planning & Lead Advisor leads the Planning Department while also serving as a client-facing advisor. This executive-level role oversees people and processes across the full financial planning function, supports advisors in business development, and directly manages client relationships.

The position requires executive presence, a strong sense of urgency, disciplined follow-through, and the ability to balance leadership, technical depth, and clear communication.

Essential duties

• Lead and manage the Financial Planning Department.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality financial planning engagements.
• Connect financial planning recommendations to investment execution.
• Refine and uphold the K Street Financial Planning Philosophy.
• Mentor analysts and junior advisors.
• Provide coaching, training, and feedback to strengthen team performance.
• Support advisors in explaining advanced planning concepts to clients.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in tax strategy, retirement planning, estate planning, and risk management.
• Oversee client planning strategy and deliverables for assigned relationships.
• Manage a subset of client relationships as Lead Advisor.
• Support business development efforts and participate in prospect meetings.
• Oversee implementation of complex financial plans across planning, investment, and insurance solutions.

Qualifications

• Series 7 and 66, or equivalent, required.
• Life, Health, and Annuity licenses required.
• CFP®, CPWA®, or equivalent designation required.
• Prefer Northwestern Mutual experience.
• Minimum of 8–10+ years of financial advising experience required.
• Demonstrated executive presence, strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working with planning tools, client communication systems, and financial services technology.

Growth Path

This person will have the ability to develop further through mentorship, exposure to complex planning cases, and close collaboration with advisors and leadership. Long-term, this role aligns with partnership in the firm and may lead to expanded leadership, broader client relationship responsibility, and greater influence over firm growth and planning strategy.

Benefits

• Salary: $150,000–$175,000 commensurate with experience. Bonus: 20-40%, including Team and Personal Performance bonuses and a Production bonus
• Benefits: benefits package offered including paid time off, comprehensive health and life coverage, and 401(k).
• Ability to commute to the office in Washington, DC: we are an in-office team.

Competencies

Executive Presence: projects confidence, credibility, and professionalism in client meetings, team settings, and firm leadership interactions.

Leadership & Accountability: leads people and processes effectively, sets clear expectations, and follows through to ensure results are achieved.

Interpersonal Communication: builds trust with clients and team members, communicates clearly in writing and verbally, and handles sensitive conversations with diplomacy and tact.

Prioritization & Urgency: focuses time and attention on the highest-value work, manages competing demands well, and responds quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Good Judgment: makes sound decisions using experience, insight, and careful listening; recognizes both what is said and what is implied.

Self-Starter: works independently, takes initiative, thinks critically, and solves problems without needing heavy supervision.

Collaboration: partners effectively across advisors, planners, and leadership to support planning quality, implementation, and firm growth.