Sequoia Financial Group · 5 hours ago
Head of Learning & Development
Akron, OH, US
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
15+ years expSequoia Financial Group is a growing Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) headquartered in Northeast Ohio, offering financial planning and wealth management services. The Head of Learning & Development will build and lead the firm’s L&D function, responsible for professional development, technical training, leadership development, and compliance education across the organization.
ConsultingFinancial ServicesWealth Management
Responsibilities
Develop and implement a firm-wide learning and development strategy aligned with business goals and team development needs
Build a scalable framework for onboarding, skills development, career progression, and leadership readiness
Serve as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership on organizational capability, performance, talent development and future-state skill requirements
Lead the integration of AI-enabled learning tools, platforms, and analytics to personalize learning and increase scalability
Anticipate how AI and automation will impact roles across the firm and proactively develop reskilling and upskilling initiatives
Stay current on emerging learning technologies, workforce trends, and best practices, translating insights into practical programs
Design and deliver programs that address both technical (e.g., financial planning, investment management, estate, risk management and tax compliance) and soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership, client service)
Partner with department leaders to identify knowledge and skill gaps, and tailor learning interventions accordingly
Oversee the development and deployment of a modern learning ecosystem, including LMS selection/management, digital content, and in-person experiences
Lead the design of a consistent and engaging onboarding program for new hires across all roles
Ensure continuous education for advisors and internal teams, including required CE (Continuing Education), certifications, and regulatory compliance training
Create and implement a leadership development roadmap for current and future leaders
Introduce coaching, mentorship, and development programs to cultivate a strong leadership pipeline
Align talent with the firm’s long-term business goals (e.g., growth, succession planning, service model evolution)
Support expansion into new markets or service offerings (e.g., tax planning, estate planning, family office services)
Design the org chart to reflect current needs and future growth
Ensure enough skilled professionals are in place to maintain service levels as client demand grows
Enable advisors to focus on high-value client work by providing adequate support staff (e.g., paraplanners, client service associates)
Build, mentor, and lead a small but high-impact L&D team
Set clear priorities and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Balance leadership responsibilities with hands-on execution, particularly in early stages of function development
Define KPIs for learning effectiveness; assess program outcomes and continuously improve
Monitor participation, satisfaction, and impact metrics; report to senior leadership and refine offerings based on feedback and outcomes
Champion a culture of learning, growth, and feedback across the organization
Support change management initiatives through targeted learning strategies that enable adoption and alignment
Qualification
Required
15 - 20 years of progressive experience in the field of human resources and organizational development
Prior experience building or significantly scaling an L&D function, preferably in a high-growth or entrepreneurial environment
Demonstrated success leading small teams while remaining highly hands-on
Strong understanding of learning technologies, digital learning platforms, and AI-enabled tools
Proven ability to translate business strategy into practical learning solutions
Experience in financial services, professional services, or similarly complex, regulated environments is preferred but not required
Preferred
Experience in a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), wealth management, or broader financial services firm
Familiarity with CFP®, CFA®, Series 65, and/or other industry credentialing processes and requirements
Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS), e-learning platforms, and analytics tools
Relevant certifications (e.g., CPLP/ATD, SHRM, coaching credentials)
Company
Sequoia Financial Group
Sequoia Financial Group offers comprehensive wealth management services including financial planning, asset management, and estate planning.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$200MKey Investors
Valeas Capital PartnersKudu Investment Management
2022-10-19Private Equity· $200M
2020-07-07Private Equity
Leadership Team
Thomas Haught
Chairman, CEO & President
Trevor R Chuna
Chief Technology Officer
Recent News
2025-10-15
Company data provided by crunchbase