Director Ria Firm Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

The Annuity Solutions Director is responsible for leading the firm's annuity business strategy, product management, advisor experience, and partner relationships across the full spectrum of annuity solutions, including Advisory Annuities, Variable Annuities, Fixed Annuities, Fixed Indexed Annuities, and Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs).

This role serves as the business owner for the annuity platform and is accountable for driving growth, advisor adoption, product competitiveness, operational efficiency, and client outcomes. The director will establish and execute the strategic vision for annuity solutions, ensuring advisors have access to a best-in-class experience from product selection and due diligence through implementation, servicing, and ongoing client management.

The director will partner closely with Wealth Advisors, Financial Planning, Operations, Compliance, Technology, and Investments to develop and maintain a comprehensive annuity offering that aligns with the firm's retirement income philosophy and client needs. This role will also serve as the primary relationship director with annuity carriers, distribution partners, and key internal stakeholders, including the Investment Committee.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in annuity and retirement income solutions, experience working within a fiduciary wealth management environment, and a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders.

KPIs for this role include:

• Annuity assets and revenue growth

• Advisor adoption and utilization of annuity solutions

• Advisor satisfaction and experience metrics

• Product shelf competitiveness and diversification

• Retirement income planning solution adoption

• Annuity case conversion and placement rates
• Operational efficiency and service-level metrics

The Insurance Solutions team provides expertise and support across a broad range of insurance and retirement income solutions, helping advisors deliver comprehensive planning strategies that improve client outcomes.

Essential Job Functions for this role include:

• Developing and executing the firm's annuity strategy across Advisory, Variable, Fixed, Fixed Indexed, and Registered Index-Linked Annuity products.

• Serving as product owner for all annuity solutions and maintaining responsibility for product strategy, positioning, and lifecycle management.

• Defining and continuously enhancing the advisor experience across all annuity-related workflows, including recommendation, implementation, servicing, and ongoing management.

• Leading annuity product due diligence, carrier evaluations, product selection, and product shelf management.

• Serving as the primary liaison to the Investment Committee for annuity-related product reviews, approvals, and ongoing monitoring.

• Building and maintaining strategic relationships with insurance carriers, distribution partners, custodians, technology providers, and other key external stakeholders.

• Collaborating with advisors, planners, operations, compliance, investments, and technology teams to integrate annuity solutions into the broader wealth management experience.

• Monitoring industry trends, competitive developments, regulatory changes, and emerging retirement income solutions to inform product strategy and business decisions.

• Developing advisor-facing guidance, educational content, and best practices that increase advisor confidence and drive adoption of annuity solutions.

• Establishing governance standards and monitoring product performance to ensure offerings remain aligned with firm objectives and client needs.

• Identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve operational efficiency, and create scalable solutions that enhance advisor and client experiences.

• Gathering and incorporating advisor feedback to continuously improve annuity products, processes, and support models.

• Supporting strategic initiatives within the Insurance Solutions organization and across the broader Wealth Management business.

• Assisting with onboarding and educating advisors and internal partners on annuity solutions and retirement income strategies.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree required.

• 10+ years of experience in annuities, retirement income solutions, wealth management, asset management, insurance product management, or related fields.

• Deep knowledge of Variable Annuities, Fixed Annuities, Fixed Indexed Annuities, Advisory Annuities, and Registered Index-Linked Annuities.

• Strong understanding of retirement income planning, investment management, and fiduciary wealth management principles.

• Experience leading product strategy, product management, due diligence, and governance processes.

• Demonstrated success managing relationships with insurance carriers, distribution organizations, and executive-level stakeholders.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to identify growth opportunities and execute strategic initiatives.

• Outstanding written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through.

• Ability to translate complex product and investment concepts into practical advisor and client solutions.

• Proven ability to work effectively across multiple business functions and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Client-focused mindset with a passion for improving advisor and client outcomes.

• Collaborative, team-oriented approach and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

• Insurance and Series 7/6 FINRA licensing required.

Work Schedule:

This professional role requires availability during standard business hours of Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM. At times, the role may have early or late hours to meet business tasks and deadlines for external and internal client needs.

All roles classified as a non-exempt are required to record working time into the timekeeping system daily at the start and end of each workday plus a 30-minute unpaid lunch period.

Working Conditions:

This position may be in a professional office environment or a dedicated home office workspace which is free of interruptions. Whether position is in a dedicated office space or home office workspace, basic technology needs will be provided to satisfy position requirements. Routinely sitting and standing for periods of time. No heavy lifting over 10 lbs.

Application Deadline: The initial deadline for applications is 8/15/2026. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered on a rolling basis until the position/program is filled. We encourage all interested candidates to apply as early as possible. If a final decision has not been made by the initial deadline, subsequent applications will be reviewed as they are received.