Associate Director, Client Advisory

Company Description: Pathstone is a growing wealth management firm serving ultra-high net worth families, single family offices, foundations, and endowments. We are united by a clear purpose: to help clients pursue their Preferred Life - with clarity, confidence, and long-term support across the full landscape of wealth and well-being.

Our services include investment advisory, as well as integrated planning and coordination across key areas such as tax strategy, risk management guidance, wealth and estate planning support, philanthropic planning, and family governance - helping clients navigate complexity and make informed decisions aligned with their goals.

With more than 20 office locations and over $185 billion in client assets under management, advisory, administration, and related services, Pathstone has expanded significantly over the past five years, reflecting sustained momentum and continued investment in our team and platform.

Pathstone is committed to making a meaningful difference for clients and their families, while fostering a supportive, purpose-driven environment for our professionals. Team members are encouraged to pursue their interests and contribute to the firm’s culture through committees and initiatives that help shape our shared mission.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we offer a competitive, flexible benefits program designed to support life both inside and outside of work. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, flexible spending options, flexible PTO, life insurance, education support, a 401(k) plan, parental leave, and more.

This role supports the firm’s San Francisco, CA office.

Position Overview: The Associate Director, Client Advisory is a key member of the Client Advisory Team, partnering with Directors and Managing Directors to deliver comprehensive wealth management solutions to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, foundations, and endowments. This role combines client relationship management, investment implementation, wealth planning coordination, business development, operational oversight, and team mentorship to provide an exceptional client experience.

As a trusted advisor, the Associate Director serves as a primary point of contact for client relationships, collaborates closely with internal specialists across the firm, and contributes to the continued growth of the practice through relationship development, referral cultivation, and strategic business initiatives. This position also plays an important leadership role by mentoring junior team members and helping drive operational excellence within the office.

Client Advisory roles at Pathstone offer a long-term career path with increasing responsibility, client ownership, and leadership opportunities. Success in this role requires strong technical and analytical capabilities, exceptional relationship management skills, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a client-first mindset committed to delivering thoughtful, integrated advice.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Advisory & Relationship Support

• Manage and maintain multiple client relationships, in both a primary and support capacity with the goal of becoming the trusted advisor for our client families.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for client inquiries, responding via phone, video, and in-person meetings with professionalism and responsiveness.
• Proactively identify and address client needs while maintaining a high standard of service.
• Partner with our wealth planning team (when applicable) to ensure clients’ income tax, estate, and philanthropic plans are executed.
• Prepare and maintain client balance sheet and data aggregation (when applicable).
• Work with our wealth planning and tax teams on pre-transaction tax mitigation strategies and concentrated position management (when applicable). 

Business Development & Practice Management

• Support the team in identifying and pitching new potential clients.
• Develop and continuously expand referral network, building Pathstone's presence through frequent interaction and communication with external parties.
• Assist with team projects related to a variety of client-related topics and business development efforts.
• Maintain a current pulse of the industry through research, conferences, and networking events.
• Play an integral role in designing and executing our client development practices and approach.

Investment Implementation

• Support the Client Advisory Team in implementing Investment Research Team’s guidance.
• Create and maintain investment policy statements for clients.
• Oversee ongoing portfolio construction and rebalancing.
• Collaborate with clients on spending policy, cash flow planning, asset location and custody.

Analysis, Reporting & Operations

• Prepare performance analyses, relevant investment information and client presentation materials.
• Support quarterly reporting processes, including reconciliation and detailed review of client reports.
• Act as an information liaison to accountants, banks, attorneys, lenders and other external professionals supporting client relationships.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as a mentor and operational resource to Associates and Senior Associates on matters including reconciliations, reporting, account openings, and transfers.
• Contribute to process improvements and operational best practices within the office.
• Participate in leader-led sessions focused on advisory best practices, business development, leadership development, and practice management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Completion of an advanced degree or professional designation (CFP®, CFA, MBA, or JD) required.
• 5-8+ years of experience in wealth management, private banking, family office, or financial advisory environments with demonstrated client engagement experience.
• Series 65 required (or attained within 90 days of employment).

Professional Attributes:

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage time-sensitive matters effectively.
• Solid proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Salesforce experience preferred. Familiarity with or hands-on experience using AI-powered productivity tools to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and work quality is strongly preferred.
• Comfortable communicating with clients and their professional advisors regarding investments, high-level estate planning items, investment and financial markets, and high-level tax planning items.
• Foundational knowledge of globally diversified investment portfolios and asset allocation strategies, including alternative investments.
• Strong relationship management, influencing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, professionalism, and the ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, a commitment to continuous learning, and the ambition to assume increasing responsibility, leadership, and client ownership over time.

This role offers the opportunity to deepen client engagement, expand technical expertise, and contribute meaningfully to a growing advisory platform serving sophisticated clients with complex needs.

Pay Transparency: Pathstone’s expected starting base compensation range for the position as of the time of this posting is $120,000 - $160,000 per year. The actual base compensation selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) experience, education, specialty and training. The successful candidate(s) may also be eligible for a discretionary bonus award.

Visa Sponsorship: Please note, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for the position offered. Accordingly, we are unable to hire individuals who require, or will require, employment visa sponsorship either now or in the future.

Pathstone is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

As you explore opportunities, know that Pathstone communicates with candidates exclusively through an @pathstone.com email address. We do not make unsolicited job offers, and we will never ask for personal or financial information through email or web forms. If you receive outreach that appears to be from Pathstone but originates from a different domain, please disregard it.

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