Chief Executive Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

CFP Board has transformed from a respected but relatively unknown organization into a market leader and conduit for progress across the entire financial advice ecosystem. It sits at the intersection of the colleges and universities that train the next generation of financial advisors, the firms that employ them and the membership organizations that support ongoing learning and development.

CFP Board uses its unique position to convene advisors, firm leaders, membership and public interest organizations, academics and many others to advance financial planning and the profession for the benefit of the public.

As CFP Board’s long-serving and deeply respected Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kevin Keller, enters retirement, CFP Board seeks in its next CEO a stellar executive who drives success, aligns the organization’s financial and human resources (HR) with the board of directors’ priorities, leads staff and engages stakeholders to secure the organization’s continued position and impact.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to Board of Directors

Direct reports

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Chief of Staff

Chief Program Officer

General Counsel

Head of Enforcement

Head Technology Officer

Other key relationships

Membership organizations and financial planning bodies (i.e., FPA, NAPFA, FPSB, CFA Institute, AICPA, Investment Adviser Association, FSI and IRI)

CFP Board

Governmental / Regulatory Agencies (i.e., SEC, FINRA, DOL, NASAA and CFPB)

Public Interest Organizations (i.e., AARP, Friends of Fiduciary, CFPB, Investment Advisor Oversight Coalition)

Trade and Consumer Media

Academic and Industry leaders

CFA Professional Organization

CPA Professional Organization

Key Industry Leaders

Center for Financial Planning Volunteers

DESIRED OUTCOMES

The CEO of CFP Board will be accountable for delivering outcomes that ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability, impact and leadership in the financial planning profession. The successful leader will achieve the following :

Strategic Leadership and Vision

Establish clarity and alignment with the board of directors and staff around CFP Board’s strategic plan and vision, ensuring financial sustainability and advancing the organization’s distinction.

Effectively steward and champion public awareness and other initiatives that promote the CFP mark to the public.

Standards and Public Advocacy

Uphold and enforce the highest competency and ethical standards for CFP certification.

Lead CFP Board’s advocacy efforts, representing the profession’s and the consumers’ interests in public policy matters.

Growth and Access

Expand the number of CFP certificants, increasing the public’s access to competent and ethical financial planners.

Build and sustain relationships with universities and academic programs to strengthen the certification pipeline and play a visible role in addressing industry-wide workforce challenges.

Stakeholder Engagement

Engage effectively with all stakeholders including certificants, the public, large financial firms, regulators and policymakers—to build trust, foster collaboration and raise CFP Board’s visibility and stature.

Organizational Culture and Talent

Cultivate an internal culture of communication, collaboration and transparency.

Promote staff stability, career development and an environment that attracts and retains top talent.

Innovation & Future Readiness

Position CFP Board as a leader in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging innovations within the financial planning profession.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Ideal Experience

Executive-level management experience

Strong business acumen and experience leading and managing an organization of similar size, scope and complexity, with diverse constituencies.

Knowledge of / appreciation for the financial planning function

Exposure to CFP professionals and the financial planning function or a strong desire to support the field. At a minimum, a proven ability to quickly come up to speed on the industry and issue set.

Experience driving impact and growth

Has developed and implemented innovative strategies and programs that further the mission of an organization with a distinct set of values.

Experience serving as the face and voice of an organization

A skilled spokesperson and politically astute advocate with experience representing an organization or industry before a variety of audiences, including policymakers and the media.

Advanced degree preferred

Bachelor’s degree (B.A. / B.S.) degree required; a master’s degree and / or CAE preferred.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Acting Strategically

The CEO will provide the leadership necessary to advance the organization’s work while also partnering with the board and staff to develop strategy by :

Developing and effectively communicating business plans to achieve organizational objectives, as well as identifying resources, anticipating obstacles, assessing risks and making adjustments as appropriate;

Collaborating with the board of directors to create a business plan that enhances CFP Board’s value proposition and competitive position;

Seeking opportunities to work with other individuals and organizations to produce synergies that will enhance CFP Board’s capacity to achieve its objectives; and

Identifying human potential, investing in personnel development, recognizing and rewarding achievement to create high-performing teams.

Collaborating and Influencing

The CEO will be an effective, inspirational and persuasive public spokesperson and chief advocate for the organization and for the ethics and standards of the financial planning profession by :

Clearly articulating CFP Board’s vision and value proposition to key stakeholder groups and the public and serving as the consistent and credible face and voice of CFP Board;

Driving CFP Board’s overall communications strategy, using all of the available tools and resources to effectively represent and advance CFP Board’s messages and appropriately position its mission and goals; and

Defending and advocating for the CFP marks and serving as the consummate educator on CFP Board’s role and services.

Driving Results

The CEO will clearly understand and implement professional management procedures to ensure the successful and fiscally responsible operation of CFP Board by :

Assessing CFP Board’s programs and services and identifying areas for growth, improvement and change;

Champion a philosophy and agility to identify and resolve problems and issues likely to impact organizational priorities;

Pursuing opportunities to advance financial planning as a client-focused profession;

Recruiting, retaining, enabling and empowering top-notch talent to implement CFP Board’s strategic objectives, fostering a culture of excellence, service and teamwork; and

Leveraging technology and operations practices throughout the organization to enhance efficiencies and create a culture that demands excellence, accountability and performance measurement.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

A dynamic, friendly and approachable person who can communicate, inspire and connect with a broad range of stakeholders.

A visionary, positive, diplomatic, collaborative and energetic leadership style.

The highest standards of personal and professional ethics and integrity.

Willingness to travel 25 percent to 40 percent of the time.

SEARCH PROCESS

The base salary range for this position is $800,000 to $1,000,000, with final determination of compensation made after consideration of qualifications and experience.

CFP Board is being assisted in this process by Spencer Stuart and welcomes nominations or expressions of interest. If you wish to submit your own application materials or nominate someone to serve as the next CEO, please send an email message with supporting materials to : CFPBoardCEO@SpencerStuart.com.

CFP Board believes that diversity of experience and perspective are strengths and seeks to continue to grow a highly committed, skilled and collaborative staff. CFP Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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