Strategic Advisor - Business Owner & Private Wealth Advisory

Strategic Advisor

At Girard, a Univest Wealth Division, we're looking for a Strategic Advisor to join our Business Owner & Private Wealth Advisory practice, someone who is energized by complex planning, meaningful client relationships, and the opportunity to grow into a trusted lead advisor.

This role is designed for someone ready to take the next step in their career by expanding the scope and complexity of their client work or for someone already managing relationships who is looking to operate at a higher level within a more sophisticated advisory model.

You will work directly with a senior advisor in a highly collaborative, apprenticeship-style environment, with the expectation of developing into a lead advisor capable of independently managing Business Owner client engagements within approximately 1824 months.

Our practice is planning-driven and strategy-led, advising business owners and high and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families on complex business, financial and personal decisions, particularly around liquidity events, succession planning, and multi-generational wealth.

We do not lead with investment management. Our work centers on helping clients navigate their most important decisions. Investments are incorporated as one component of a broader strategy, not the primary focus.

If you're ready to bring your experience, curiosity, and judgment to a team that values thoughtful advice and lasting relationships, we'd love to meet you and explore what you could build here with us.

Responsibilities

You will be involved across all aspects of client engagements, including:

• Participating in client meetings involving business transitions, personal wealth planning, and family decision-making
• Developing analyses, financial plans, and client-facing materials (including use of eMoney)
• Helping frame and solve complex client decisions across business, financial and personal domains not limited to traditional planning areas
• Contributing to, and over time, leading strategy development across areas such as:
• Business succession and exit planning
• High- and ultra-high-net-worth wealth planning
• Trust and estate structuring (in coordination with attorneys)
• Income tax-aware planning (in coordination with CPAs)
• Charitable and philanthropic planning
• Real estate and capital structure analysis
• Ownership structuring, buy-sell agreements, and generational transitions
• Family governance and decision-making dynamics
• Coordinating closely with external professionals, including attorneys, CPAs, investment bankers/M&A advisors, commercial banking partners, valuation professionals, and CFOs

Over time, this role will transition from contributing to strategy development to leading engagements and serving as the primary advisor.

This role offers an accelerated development path, providing exposure to complex client situations and a clear progression toward leading client engagements within approximately 1824 months.

Qualifications

We are seeking someone with strong judgment, initiative, and interest in complex advisory work.

Relevant experience may include:

• Wealth management, private banking, or family office
• Investment banking, private equity, or M&A advisory
• Consulting, value creation, or business strategy
• Corporate finance, CFO, or FP&A roles
• Trust & estate, tax, or legal advisory

Credentials (preferred, not required):

• CFP, CEPA, JD, CFA, CPA
• Candidates with multiple designations (e.g., JD/CFP/CEPA) strongly preferred

Technical / Skills:

• Experience with financial planning software (e.g., eMoney) preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability

Core attributes:

• Professional presence and ability to engage with sophisticated clients
• High ownership mentality; proactive and self-directed
• Comfortable operating in complex, unstructured situations
• Interest in long-term development as a client-facing advisor

Wage Range:

The salary for this position starts from $100,000+

Benefits Overview:

Univest offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental and vision coverage (single or family; begins the first of the month following start date)
• Retirement Plan: Participation in 401(k) plan with up to a 3% employer match after 6 months of employment
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 25 days annually (prorated your first year)
• Short Term Disability: 12 weeks of sick time with a doctors note after 6 months of service
• Holiday Time Off: 11 paid holidays
• We offer company paid life insurance: as well as other supplemental insurances
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Wellness programs: including fitness club discounts and fitness tracker discounts/ annual reimbursement
• Discounts: on loan products
• Professional development trainings

An Equal Opportunity Employer. Univest does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, disability or protected veteran status.