Chief Operating Officer

LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO, CA or SEATTLE, WA

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for the strategic direction and tactical oversight of the operations functions within LNW. The COO provides leadership, management, inspiration, and vision necessary to ensure a world class operations team and function, including the ongoing evolution and implementation towards our strategic vision.

Critically, the COO will collaborate with the leaders of the client services (CS), business development, and technology teams. Early focus will be on partnering with CS leaders to define segmented client offerings and drive the design of related workflows, partnering with technology to implement the workflows within the team and configure LNW systems, including Addepar, Salesforce, SEIC, and Canoe to support the work.

The COO will also be responsible for ensuring smooth operations within the Operations team while the previously mentioned design work is occurring. This includes making sure that the team is motivated and inspired and is working productively with the CS teams.

Reports to: Chief of Staff and Chief Transformation Officer

Direct reports: Operations and Alternative Operations will report up through the COO

Essential Functions, and Duties and Responsibilities
This is a representative list of the general duties that the COO may be asked to perform and is not intended to be all-inclusive. 

• In partnership with client service and other leaders, define and design key offerings for each client segment, identifying both unique and overlapping opportunities
• Collaborate with the management team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes and personnel designed to accommodate current client needs as well as the rapid growth objectives of the organization
• Actively provide change management leadership, especially as LNW moves towards new paradigm of differentiated client service models
• Foster a team-oriented culture focused on cultivating and rewarding behaviors consistent with firm values:
  • Service – deep sense of purpose from helping make people’s lives easier and more fulfilling (We love to serve) 
  • Earning trust in every interaction
  • Professional excellence – evolving with client needs and the world around us
  • Empowering every team member
  • Bringing warmth and caring to our relationships – including employees and clients 
• Provide ongoing advice, counsel, and support to CS leaders and CEO; the COO has a key role in developing and implementing the company’s client operating systems and policies in support of long-term client services strategies
• Measure effectiveness of operational processes and systems. Provide relevant operational reports including client reporting by segment
• Leverage existing and new technology to meet the ongoing operational needs of LNW team and clients. Measure the effectiveness of technology enhancements and their impact on staffing and individual roles
• Motivate, inspire, and lead a high-performance team focused on serving internal and external clients, collaboration with other teams, operational efficiency and effectiveness, and growth and opportunities for team members
• Develop staffing plans as client groups evolve and grow
• Encourage growth and evolution of the firm and its processes
• Manage and oversee the long-range strategic plan and annual budgeting process for the operations function and associated initiatives, in collaboration with client service leaders
• Practice inclusive management and create an inclusive environment by integrating DEI values and considerations into management approach and ensuring equitable treatment of all direct reports and teams within span of position

Necessary Skills and Attributes 

• 7 years of comprehensive experience in a complex organization managing operations and systems integrations. Prior experience in financial services, wealth management, or related field is required. Prior experience with Mergers & Acquisitions is a plus
• Seasoned professional in workflow design and development within client focused systems. Proven track record of successful implementation and adaptation for firm-specific needs. Preference for direct experience with Salesforce, Addepar, and Canoe software.
• Solid and broad knowledge and understanding of the wealth management and/or trust business
• Deep knowledge of the operational aspects of a wealth management business, including such items as account opening and closing, moving money, portfolio accounting and updates, custodial interactions and relationship management, security valuation, client reporting, (internal and external) client interaction and support, operational systems maintenance, etc.
• Strong strategic vision and creativity demonstrating excellent business acumen, professional judgment and understanding of client and systems issues
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into plans and tactics and successfully implement those plans
• High ethical standards
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with all levels of employees. Skilled business leader/practitioner; capable of inspiring and developing others
• A desire and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment that seeks success of the team rather than the individual
• Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment

Compensation and Benefits
We provide a competitive salary commensurate with your experience and skills and offer an annual bonus based on company and individual performance. The hiring salary range for this position is $240,000 to $300,000, depending on location and experience.

The salary range applies to current posting and may change in the future. The range may vary based on key factors such as education, job-related knowledge, experience, skill set, and geographic location.

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, generous time off (including sabbaticals), flexible spending plans for health care and dependent care, 401(k) plan, educational reimbursements. For details of all benefits, please visit our website here.

About Us

Laird Norton Wetherby (LNW) serves exceptional families and individuals seeking to activate the full potential of their wealth. To help turn lifelong ambitions and multigenerational aspirations into reality, LNW brings to each client relationship a high level of care combined with deep expertise in wealth and legacy planning, investments, and trust and estate services.

Offering both RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) and trust services, LNW is committed to providing clients with unbiased, independent guidance and solutions. LNW has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, as well as an affiliated trust company in South Dakota, empowering clients across the U.S. and around the world.

LNW is owned by employees and majority owned by Laird Norton Company, one of the longest-sustained family enterprises in the United States. To learn more, please visit LNWAdvisors.com.

Additional Information
Our firm aims to cultivate an inclusive environment and culture that fosters growth, collaboration and acceptance; where we celebrate the diverse voices and perspectives of our employees; and where employees feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves. Our diversity drives us forward and helps us build deeper relationships with our clients and our community.

The firm is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment, individuals providing services in the workplace pursuant to a contract, unpaid interns and volunteers based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, registered domestic partner status, military and veteran status, civil air patrol status, national origin, immigration status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, and including medical conditions related to lactation) or medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics).

*As of 2/1/24
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