**Description** **Job Summary:** This newly created Chief Operating Officer role for our Independent Contractor Division (ICD) will work in partnership with the President of ICD and other key stakeholders to assess strategy, structure, and operations to continuously improve ICD performance and effectiveness. This role will ensure that ICD operates effectively, profitably, in a compliant manner and is positioned for future growth by ensuring that business goals are achieved, and advisors are retained and satisfied. Key priorities of this role, but not limited to, will be to partner with the National Recruiting team and ICD Leadership to refresh ICD recruiting strategy and related processes that is aligned with Raymond James’ values and consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds along with defining the ICD immediate to long-term goals and aspirations as they relate to Organic Growth. The Independent Contractor Division (ICD) is a cornerstone of Raymond James, driving firm growth and ongoing success and is the largest Division within the Private Client Group. By offering financial advisors the flexibility to operate as independent contractors, ICD attracts high-performing advisors who value autonomy while benefiting from the robust resources and support of Raymond James. This model has led to strong advisor retention and recruitment, contributing significantly to the firm's asset growth and low attrition rates. ICD's ability to adapt and support advisors' needs ensures that Raymond James remains a leader in the financial services industry, fostering a client-first culture and long-term stability. **Essential Duties and Responsibilities** + Serves as a member of the ICD leadership team; will partner with key stakeholders to develop short- and long-term goals and initiatives to achieve strategic vision. + Develops, manages, and implements large scale strategic programs, projects, or processes for ICD, including enhanced development and utilization of CRM system + Develops and sponsors tactics to achieve strategic objectives across functional groups or within a business group + Could provide daily operational leadership to assigned business units, including resource allocation, human resources activities, expense management and educational programs for new and experienced associates + Collaborates with peers and leaders across PCG and the firm on strategic initiatives, cross-functional projects and process improvements * Works with ICD leaders on regional or divisional profitability and provides leadership; contributes to and participates in all activities related to financial performance + Supports recruiting efforts via participation in recruiting meetings, HOVs, regional conferences, as well as serving as liaison with recruiting representatives from other channels + Organizes and facilitates periodic divisional director meetings, national conferences, recognition events, and actively participates in conferences and seminars + Interprets, applies, documents, and recommends changes to organizational policies and procedures to ensure compliant and efficient outcomes + Constantly remains aware of firm and industry current events, and best practices. May represent business unit on major firm level project teams and attends financial review and errors and omissions meetings. + Balances conflicting resource and priority demands **Qualifications** + **Knowledge, Skill, and Experience:** * Company’s working structure, policies, mission, strategies, and compliance guidelines. * Establishing departmental objectives. * Helping group define objectives and strategy, stay on task, and reach consensus. * Assemble appropriate resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done. * Business Management Principles including the ability to interpret and/or analyze. * Business acumen with respect to the independent financial advising services * Develop, communicate, and implement a long-term strategy * Confidence to establish and maintain a positive rapport with individuals who have diverse backgrounds and perspectives * Analyzing business data and financial information. * Interpreting and applying policies and procedures. * Promoting effective coordination between business unit and other functional areas. * Ensures business decisions and directives are properly cascaded down to all appropriate associates and confirms execution * Identifying trends and implementing appropriate corrective action. * Preparing and delivering clear, effective, and professional presentations. * Organizational leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead and supervise a subordinate staff. * Partner with other functional areas to accomplish objectives. * Perform human resource management activities. * Plan, assign, monitor, review, evaluate and lead the work of others. * Facilitate meetings, ensuring that all viewpoints, ideas, and problems are addressed. * Incorporate needs, wants, and goals from different business unit perspectives into strategies of the business unit. * Attend to detail while maintaining a big picture orientation. * Organize, manage, and track multiple detailed tasks and assignments with frequently changing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced work environment. * Use appropriate interpersonal styles and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all organizational levels. * Articulate reasons behind decisions. * Keep all appropriate parties up to date on decisions, changes, and other relevant information. * Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. * Identify problems, gather facts, and develop solutions. * Partner with other functional areas to accomplish objectives. **·** Work independently, make non-routine decisions and resolve complex problems. **·** Provide a high level of customer service. + **Educational/Previous Experience Requirements:** + Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) required in a related field with a minimum of fifteen (15) years’ experience in the financial services industry; with ten (10 ) years of management experience or + Master’s Degree in related field with minimum of ten (10) to twelve (12) years’ experience in the financial services industry; with eight (8) years of management experience **Licenses/Certifications:** + SIE required provided that an exemption or grandfathering cannot be applied + Series 7 required.Series 24 or 9/10 required. **Job:** Operations **Primary Location:** US-FL-St. Petersburg-Saint Petersburg **Organization** Private Client Group **Schedule** Full-time **Job Shift** Day Job **Travel** Yes, 50 % of the Time **Req ID:** 2403643