Associate Planner (Full-time, remote)

Position Highlights:

• Full-time, remote position
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Compensation: $80K-$110K annually
• Outstanding team and work culture
• Generous benefits package

Company Overview:

The Next Level Planning Group (TNLPG) is an established and growing ensemble wealth management firm that champions service excellence, teamwork, and continuous learning. We are a remote-first, values-driven team dedicated to a singular purpose: Helping our clients make and execute great financial decisions.

We combine deep technical expertise with a high-touch, client-centric focus. We aren't looking for a “cog in the machine.” Instead, we are seeking a planner who excels in craftsmanship, values courageous communication, and demonstrates human touch to join our high-performing and collaborative team. If you are looking for a role where your reliability and financial planning expertise are valued, we would love to meet you.

Position Overview:

As an Associate Planner, you will play an integral role in the development and delivery of financial advice, as well as the management of client relationships and experience.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Service Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-precision service that builds unwavering client trust and provides internal stakeholders with total confidence in your technical expertise.
• Precision and Reliability: Uncompromising attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy, timeliness, and thoroughness in all work. Must also have a proven track record of working independently and managing multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Curiosity and Expertise: Possess the business acumen to evaluate a client’s needs or situation and use creativity and expertise to craft exceptional advice.
• Human Touch: The ability to connect with prospects and clients, build rapport, and truly understand their goals, concerns, and priorities.
• Professional Communication (verbal and written): The ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with a professional and friendly attitude with both clients and colleagues.

What You Will Be Responsible For:

• Supporting lead Financial Planners with an active role in providing great advice and service to our firm’s top clients.
• Preparing materials for prospect meetings, new client meetings, and client review meetings, including all of the following areas:
  • Cash flow planning
  • Investment planning
  • Retirement planning
  • Education planning
  • Insurance planning
  • Estate planning
  • Tax planning
  • Business planning
• Attending prospect and client meetings as an active participant.
• Debriefing and coordinating follow-up tasks after client meetings.
• Providing prompt responses and service to client inquiries and requests between meetings.

What You Bring to the Role:

• Professional Experience: At least 3 years of financial planning experience, with a strong preference for personal financial planning or wealth management backgrounds.
• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Licenses & Designations: You have successfully passed the CFP exam and maintain active SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 (or 65) licenses.
• Location & Residency: U.S. residency and existing work authorization are required. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
• Technology: High proficiency with RedTail, eMoney, Wealthscape, Holistiplan, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, etc. or the ability to quickly learn new technologies/platforms.
• Availability: Must be available to work standard business hours in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone. Must also be available to travel a few times a year for in-person meetings and events.
• Workspace: Must have a dedicated workspace free of distractions and sufficient internet access to support high-quality video conferencing and firm operations.

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Structure:

This is a full-time, remote position offering a starting base salary of $80,000 to $110,000, commensurate with experience, plus profitability bonuses. The role includes a 401(k) with employer matching, comprehensive health insurance, HSA/FSA options, and disability insurance. Employees also have access to a professional development stipend, wellness rewards, and flexible PTO to support growth and well-being. The company fosters a strong, collaborative culture within a fully remote work environment.

For a talented and driven professional, this position offers excellent training and advancement opportunities within our supportive and high-performing team. We currently envision the Associate Planner role as a potential long-term role for someone who doesn’t want to take on primary client relationship management responsibilities or sales responsibilities but still wants to develop their skills and have a path to grow their compensation. We are, however, still open to someone in this role eventually taking on those additional responsibilities as well.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter through the NextGroup website. The NextGroup search team will contact you regarding the next steps.
Candidates may be required to pass a drug test and background check.

About NextGroup:

NextGroup is Chicagoland's leading executive search firm and nonprofit talent network connecting mission-driven organizations with exceptional leaders who drive impact. We customize talent solutions with our nonprofit partners, recruiting permanent, fractional, and interim professionals across executive leadership, finance, development, and operations.

We have a network of 10,000+ professionals in Chicagoland and beyond. We reject cookie-cutter approaches and instead partner with you to build human capital strategies that match your unique growth and capacity-building needs. NextGroup also provides career coaching and transition services to professionals advancing in the social impact sector.