Sr Associate/Associate Director, Wealth Management
Salary: $135,000 - $175,000 per year
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posted: June 05 2025
Minimum Degree:
Relocation Assistance: Not Available
Sr Associate/Associate Director, Wealth Management
We have a Registered Investment Advisor seeking to transform traditional wealth management. Our quest is to integrate the Intellectual and Emotional Quotient, driven by a values-oriented culture that fosters connection and collaboration with our clients. We are an independent, predominantly employee-owned company, adhering to the standard to put our clients' interests first. We focus our efforts on helping clients meet their investment objectives without the distractions and limitations that can arise within much larger organizations.
The Role
We are looking for a motivated professional to join our Foster City and/or San Francisco based team as an Associate Director. In this role, you will work closely with the team to manage important aspects of the client relationship. This role is designed for those that have experience managing client relationships in an investment advisory capacity. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Support to CEOs and Partners by providing service and support functions such as:
- Portfolio analysis, trade execution, account maintenance and client/prospect meeting preparation
- Review various non-publicly traded alternative investments (real estate, credit etc.) and communicate these strategies to clients
- Construct performance and asset allocation reports along with the recommended portfolio changes
- Provide exceptional service and devise customized financial strategies for existing/prospective clients
- Provide investment advice to clients in meetings with CEOs and Partners
- Interact with clients, supporting all aspects of their servicing needs:
- Researching client inquiries, managing follow up communication and conducting quarterly performance reviews
Qualifications
- 3-5+ years of wealth management experience
- Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills
- Ability to think critically, anticipate issues and prioritize multiple projects
- Familiarity with operational aspects of business (new account openings, disbursements, etc.)
- Exceptional relationship buildings skills both inside and outside of the organization
- Ability to work in a fast paced, high-volume, high-pressure environment
- Experience with Salesforce is a plus
- CFA, CFP, CAIA designation is a plus
- Experience with Fidelity Investments is a plus
- “No task is too small” mentality
- Bachelor’s degree is required
Compensation
The total compensation range for this role, inclusive of base salary and bonus, is $135,000-$175,000, depending on skills and experience.
Primary Responsibilities and Duties:
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Managing processes with independence and autonomy.
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Learning about investments and growing in client relationships and trade accounts.
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Project management, not heavy lifting on opening accounts, but managing the process.
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Balancing operational and administrative tasks with learning about investments and growing client relationships.
Key Qualifications and Skills:
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Hardworking and detail-oriented.
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Curious and thoughtful.
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Strong work ethic and a desire for growth.
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Good social skills and ability to engage with clients.
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Ability to roll up sleeves and do the work, not just be a good talker.
Certifications or Educational Requirements: N/A
Ideal Level of Experience:
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Around 4 years of experience.
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Experience should be relevant and applicable to the role.
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Someone who can grow into the role.
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Spencer Gordon referenced Justin Curran as a high achiever at the 3.5 year mark.
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Exposure to alternative private investments is a benefit.
----Company and Team Information----
Company Overview and Culture:
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Golden Hire works with emerging tech companies, series A through D, and sometimes larger firms including some financial services.
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Golden Hire screens candidates for a DNA component, focusing on cultural fit and work ethic.
Role within the Organization:
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The Associate Director role is in the middle of the levels: Associate, Senior Associate, Associate Director, Director, and Senior Director.
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Spencer Gordon mentioned this role is tough to hire for because it requires a mix of operational, project management, and client relationship skills.
Team Size and Structure:
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The team is a 10-person team.
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The team works side by side and there is a high level of trust.
Reporting Structure:
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The Associate Director role will report to Spencer Gordon.
Key Collaborations:
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Clients: Wealthy individuals and families.
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Other teams within ieq: Research, operations, business development, and marketing.
----Job Requirements and Expectations----
Top Three Priorities in the First Six Months:
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Becoming proficient in project management, independently managing the process of opening accounts for clients.
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Learning about investments and growing their role in client relationships, eventually pitching and discussing investment portfolios.
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Being a doer who can roll up their sleeves and do the work, not just be a good talker.
Challenges and Opportunities:
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The role is tough to hire for, requiring a balance of experience, hustle, and a long-term mindset.
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The environment is fast-paced and intense, requiring someone who can handle stress.
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The role offers real growth potential for those who work hard and are willing to learn.
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There may be opportunities to transition to other teams or roles within the company over time.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
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Hardworking and detail-oriented.
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Curious and thoughtful.
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Willing to put in the work and has a long-term mindset.
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Ability to manage projects independently and autonomously.
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Ability to learn about investments and grow in client relationships.
Software, Tool, or Technology Proficiency:
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N/A
Travel Requirements and Work Schedule Expectations:
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The team is at the desk from 6:30 to 7:30 AM and leaves around 5:30 to 6:30 PM, leading to a 10-12 hour day.
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Weekends are not too heavy for most people.
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There is an expectation of at least three days in the office.
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Potential for some days in the San Francisco office in the future.
----Compensation and Benefits----
Salary Range and Compensation Package:
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The salary range for the Associate Director role is $135,000 to $175,000.
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The base salary is around $135,000, with the bonus making up the difference to reach the higher end of the range.
Additional Benefits, Bonuses, or Incentives:
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The bonus component of the compensation package typically ranges from $20,000 to $35,000.
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There is potential flexibility in the compensation package for exceptional candidates.
Work Arrangement:
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The role is primarily on-site, requiring presence in the office at least three days a week.
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Remote work is typically limited to Mondays and Fridays once the employee is ramped up.
Work Schedule Flexibility and Specific Hours:
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The team generally works from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM or 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM, indicating a 10- to 12-hour workday.
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Weekends are generally not heavy for mid-level employees, although some may catch up on tasks or check emails for a couple of hours.
Opportunities for Professional Development and Advancement:
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There is a direct path to becoming an advisor or portfolio manager, with opportunities to source clients and manage relationships.
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There are opportunities for growth into operation and project management roles, such as a team COO.
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Cross-team opportunities exist within the company, allowing employees to transition to roles in research, operations, business development, or marketing.
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The company invests in its employees through education and support, providing a smoother trajectory towards managing clients compared to sink-or-swim approaches.
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There is potential for untapped upside by leveraging a network of supported clients and earning a piece of the revenue.
----Candidate Profile----
Personal Qualities and Soft Skills:
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Hardworking
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Curious
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Thoughtful
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Detail-oriented
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Wants to hustle and put in the work
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Long-term mindset
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A "doer" (not just a talker)
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Good social skills and ability to connect with clients
Advantageous Background or Industry Experience:
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4ish years of experience
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Exposure to alternative private investments
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Experience working with high-net-worth clients (average client portfolio of $5 to $10 million or $100 billion plus)
Red Flags or Deal-Breakers:
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Arrogance
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Inability to handle a fast-paced, stressful environment
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Unwillingness to perform smaller tasks
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Not being someone the team would enjoy getting a beer with
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Unwilling to come to Foster City for a good opportunity more than twice a week
Timeline to Fill the Position:
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Looking to fill the position quickly due to an urgent need and past difficulties with candidates dropping out.
Interview Process:
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Resume and transcript review.
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First interview with one of the directors on the team.
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If the first interview goes well, Spencer Gordon will conduct a second interview.
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If the second interview goes well, the candidate will be invited for an on-site interview.
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The on-site interview is described as a long day, eight plus hours, with a case study and approximately ten interviews with the entire team.
Interviewers and Decision-Makers:
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Directors on the team.
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Spencer Gordon.
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The entire team participates in the on-site interview process.
Timelines and Deadlines:
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The team is looking to move quickly through the process due to an urgent need.
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No specific timelines or deadlines were mentioned outside of the urgency of needing to fill the role.
Pre-Employment Screenings:
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GPA.
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Transcripts.
Other Important Information:
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The team seeks a candidate with a "no task too small" mentality, balancing confidence with a lack of arrogance.
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"Vibe-based" assessment is used to determine if the candidate is a good person with the right attitude.
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Ideal candidate should be willing to be in the office at least three days a week.
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The team invests in its people and offers a supportive environment with educational opportunities and a smoother career trajectory compared to larger firms.