Lead Financial Advisor, Retirement Planning

About Thrive Retirement Specialists

Thrive Retirement Specialists is an advisor-owned, Registered Investment Advisor focused exclusively on retirement planning. We serve HNW individual clients virtually and provide comprehensive retirement income planning, risk management, tax planning, and investment management for households with more than $2 million in assets. Our client service model encourages an extended long-term relationship. We serve clients through the transition into retirement and throughout the 20 to 30+ year retirement journey that follows. Every client pays the exact same $3,000 quarterly flat fee, allowing our advisors to focus on delivering thoughtful, client-first advice free from conflict of interest. All clients are of equal importance and receive the same great level of service.

Why Join Thrive

Where else can you form approximately 80 retirement planning-focused client relationships from scratch that you get to serve over the remainder of your career. We estimate it will take approximately seven to ten years to onboard 80 new client relationships, after which time you will be eligible for partnership and profit sharing.

We have intentionally built our firm and client service model so that our employees and future partners can thrive right alongside our clients. First, Thrive offers the independence and autonomy an experienced advisor values, along with the resources, collaboration, and support you require. Second, you will have the opportunity to help shape our young firm in terms of our client experience, processes, and future direction. Lastly, bunched “surge” review meetings in the Spring and Fall combined with virtual client servicing allows our advisors a lot of flexibility to vacation and work from anywhere in the world at times. No suits/ties, no commute, and a flexible work schedule under your control.

We offer a transparent compensation plan with a highly competitive base salary, raises and partnership eligibility tied directly to new client onboarding, milestone bonuses, unlimited PTO, and more.

Position Overview

The Retirement Advisor is our most senior, client-facing advisory role.

What You Will Own

· Build and lead a client base of up to 80 retirement-planning households, owning each relationship from firm-provided lead through planning, implementation, and semiannual reviews.

· Serve as clients’ primary advisor throughout retirement, earning their trust through proactive planning, clear communication, and responsive service.

· Deliver comprehensive retirement income planning, risk management, tax planning, and investment management, taking ownership of the quality of advice and client outcomes.

· Maintain clients’ low-cost, passive ETF model portfolios and income ladders, placing trades at Schwab as needed.

· Exercise independent professional judgment and problem solving while solving complex planning challenges.

· Operate effectively under meaningful autonomy while contributing positively to a collaborative and collegial team.

· Maintain the technical knowledge and professional standards expected of a retirement-planning specialist, with intellectual curiosity, a client-first mindset, and attention to detail.

· Help shape Thrive’s client experience, planning processes, and team culture as the firm grows.

Required Qualifications

· CFP professional with at least 10 years of professional work experience (at least 5 years in personal financial planning).

· Strong working knowledge of retirement income planning, risk management, tax planning, and investment management.

· Demonstrated experience serving as the lead advisor for client households.

· Proven ability to develop, deepen, and retain long-term client relationships.

· Commitment to gaining and maintaining the knowledge required to serve as a retirement-planning specialist throughout clients’ 20 to 30+ year retirements.

· Willingness to obtain the Retirement Management Advisor (RMA) designation.

· Comfort operating with meaningful autonomy and exercising sound professional judgment.

· A client-first mindset, intellectual curiosity, strong problem-solving ability, and a collaborative approach to working with others.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience serving high-net-worth individual households.

· Deep experience with retirement income planning and retirement distribution strategies.

· Experience with passive index-fund investing, model portfolio management, and trading.

· Experience with annual tax projections, Roth conversion analysis, charitable-giving strategies, and tax-optimized withdrawal sequencing.

· Familiarity with Schwab, Income Lab, Holistiplan, Zoom, and/or Wealthbox CRM.

Compensation and Benefits

A Retirement Advisor starts with a base salary of $170,000 plus, which climbs steadily to $250,000 as you reach 80 new clients, after which time you will be eligible for partner and profit sharing. We also have additional cash bonuses of ~$100,000 tied to new client milestones along your way.

In addition to cash compensation, Thrive offers a generous benefits package designed to support your long-term financial security and well-being that includes:

· Unlimited paid time off

· 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match, immediately vested

· Health, Dental, & Vision

· Health Savings Account

Hiring Process

As this position is on a partnership career track, we are extremely thorough in our selection of candidates. Our hiring process is designed to be thoughtful, transparent, and respectful of your time.

1. Submit your resume and answers to the following three questions to Sign in to view email to notify us of your interest:

o Why are you interested in this position?

o Why do you think you would be a good fit for this position?

o How does this position fit within your long-term career objectives?

2. November 2nd, we will begin reaching out to schedule first round Zoom interviews to further discuss your background, career objectives, and interest in Thrive.

3. November 16th, we will begin reaching out to schedule second round interviews to have a deeper discussion of your planning philosophy, client-service approach, and experience leading long-term client relationships. Upon completion, you may be invited to complete a case study and aptitude test.

4. December 14th, we will begin reaching out to schedule final in-person interviews in the Detroit area to meet members of the Thrive team and discuss the role, firm, and partnership path in more detail. This final interview may include a friendly lunch or dinner.

5. An official offer will be made shortly thereafter with goal of securing a negotiable Q1 of 2027 start date.

We will communicate clearly throughout the process and keep candidates informed of their status.

Equal Opportunity

Thrive Retirement Specialists is committed to building a team of exceptional professionals with diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.