Planning Consultant

Job Summary

Join the retirement-plan team at Western NC's oldest independent financial firm — a blended, in-person Asheville seat (~60% plan administration, ~40% client service) managing 40–60 accounts with a clear path to lead advisory. For a detail-driven self-starter who's also energized by people, not chasing a sales book. $75–105k bonus, Series 65 sponsored.

Responsibilities

• Own the compliance calendar: 5500s, NDT/ADP-ACP testing, notices, distributions, loans, hardships, audit support
• Coordinate day-to-day plan service across ~20 recordkeeper platforms
• Serve sponsors and participants directly — responsive, relatable, from C-suite to hourly employees
• Run enrollment and employee-education meetings (grows over time)
• Handle heavy email and personalized follow-up; close loops before anyone asks
• Manage vendor and record keeper communications with detail and reliability

This is the middle pipeline between junior and lead advisor — a genuine growth seat. Strong performers deepen into plan-service ownership, group education, and lead advisory work. The firm sponsors your Series 65 and supports the retirement-plan credential path (QPFC / CPFA / QKA / AIF).

Qualifications

• 2–7 years in retirement-plan administration, service, or adjacent client-facing benefits work
• Owns ambiguous, recurring work and drives it to done without being chased — our #1 trait
• Detail- and deadline-disciplined in a highly regulated environment and genuinely energized by daily, face-to-face people contact
• Team-first, high-retention service instinct; no ego, no client-hoarding
• Built or owned a process somewhere — not only followed a corporate playbook
• Resourceful with modern tools (including AI) to move fast across new systems

Nice to Have

• Series 65 (firm will sponsor) and/or a NAPA/ASPPA credential (QPFC, CPFA, QKA, AIF)
• Recordkeeper, TPA, wholesaler, CSA, or plan-consultant background
• Multi-recordkeeper exposure; group-education comfort (coachable is fine)

Compensation

• $75,000–$105,000 plus profitability bonus. Firm sponsors Series 65 and supports credentialing.

Location & Rhythm

• Fully in-person in Asheville / Western NC — no remote or hybrid. Variable schedule with some early-morning enrollment meetings and occasional evenings; roughly 95% of clients sit within a two-hour drive. Relocation is supported and expected for candidates outside the area.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• How many years of retirement-plan, benefits, or client-facing service experience do you have?
• This is a blended seat — ~60% hands-on plan administration and ~40% client-facing service, growing toward lead advisory. Which best fits you?

Location:

• Asheville, NC (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000 - $105,000