Job Summary
As a key member of the Family Office Executive Leadership Team, the Director of Family Business Consulting and Advisory Services (FBCAS) will spearhead the development and execution of strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of privately held and family-controlled businesses within TFO and the broader Synovus ecosystem. As an experienced Family Business Consultant, they will play a vital role in guiding TFO clients with operating businesses up to multi-billion dollars in revenue through critical decision-making processes. Their expertise and leadership will be instrumental in advising families in areas such as strategy development, family communication and conflict resolution, sale preparation and exit planning, family governance, succession planning, ownership strategies, and education and training. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of family dynamics, business operations, wealth transfer planning, exit planning, succession planning, and financial planning.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Leads the development and implementation of strategic family business consulting and advisory services for UHNW families and family-owned businesses up to multi-billion dollars in revenue.
- Strategic Planning: Conducts thorough assessments of family businesses to understand their unique challenges, needs, and goals. Facilitates open and effective communication among family members to identify underlying issues and opportunities. Develops comprehensive strategic plans tailored to the specific needs and goals of the business and the family. Assists in aligning family values with business objectives to ensure long-term success and sustainability. Advises on business growth, market expansion, and operational improvements.
- Family Communication and Conflict Resolution: Facilitates open and effective communication among family members to identify underlying issues and opportunities. Mediates conflicts between family members and stakeholders to promote harmony, collaboration, and engagement. Provides coaching and support to improve communication and relationship dynamics within the family.
- Sale Preparation and Exit Planning: Guides business owners through the process of planning and executing a successful exit strategy. Collaborates with owners to prepare the business for sale, including financial analysis, valuation, and market positioning. Offers recommendations on restructuring, if necessary, to enhance the business's attractiveness to potential buyers. Pre-liquidity: Provide consulting services that support growth maximization of business value, effective governance, appropriate ownership structures and family alignments. Post-liquidity: Provide consulting services focused on creation of Family Enterprise including governance, ownership structure, family alignment, next generation education and engagement
- Family Governance: Designs and implement governance structures, including boards and family councils, to facilitate effective decision-making processes within the family and the business. Develops a Family Business Charter with agreed upon policies and procedures that align with the family's values and culture.
- Succession Planning: Guides families through the succession planning process at both the ownership and management levels to ensure long-term continuity and sustainability. Develops and implements plans for leadership development and talent management within the family business and the family enterprise. Works closely with family members, executives, and stakeholders to develop and implement customized solutions that align with both business goals and family values.
- Ownership Strategies: Advises on ownership succession plans, equity distribution, and generational transfers. Implements mechanisms to address issues related to ownership rights and responsibilities. Helps families develop a Family Business Charter with agreed up policies that align with the family's values and culture.
- Education and Training: Conduct workshops and training sessions for family members on topics such as leadership, governance, and financial management. Offer ongoing education to keep the family informed of best practices and emerging trends.
- Single Family Offices: Works with large (> $1 Billion) Single Family Offices to define and implement a Family Enterprise Strategy to ensure multi-generational sustainability of the family and the wealth.
- New Business: Builds relationships with Senior Executives at Synovus (C-Suite, bank CEOs, board members) to uncover opportunities and cultivate and develop leads through key banking channels (i.e., wholesale, community, private wealth advisors). Attends and presents at bank leadership meetings, conferences, and advisory board meetings across the Synovus footprint. Leads family business educational programs for bankers and their clients or prospects. As a key member of the TFO new business team, participates in activities focused on families with large operating businesses, large complex families and Single Family Offices, including identifying prospects, participating in prospect meetings, signing clients, onboarding clients, and serving clients. Generate leads through Family Business Consulting circles and centers of influence (e.g., attorneys, CPAs, M&A firms).
- Existing TFO Clients: Deepens relationships with TFO clients with operating businesses. Offers additional family business consulting or family enterprise services to TFO family business clients.
- Thought Leadership and Training: Creates compelling content, tools, and frameworks for family business owners and UHNW families on family business governance, ownership strategies, succession planning, values alignment, and multi-generational family success. Participates in and present at industry events such as YPO, University Family Enterprise Centers, and Family Office and Family Business Conferences to position TFO as a leader in family business consulting. Stays abreast of industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes to provide cutting-edge solutions to clients. Teaches in formal Privately Owned Business Programs such as Faculty Member of CEPA (Certified Exit Planning) Program and/or FEA (Family Enterprise Advisor) Program. Presents at YPO, University Family Enterprise Centers, and Family Office and Family Business Industry Conferences. In collaboration with TFO leadership, develop training materials for advisors and clients, centered around family-owned and operated business or family enterprises.
- Executive Leadership Strategy and Initiatives: Collaborates with the Executive Leadership Team to shape TFO's strategic plans, emphasizing culture, ROI, value creation, organizational effectiveness, and growth. Oversees the management and implementation of Privately Held Business Advisory Services. Represents TFO at industry events, showcasing expertise in family office services and thought leadership. Works closely with the Director of Strategic Services and the Director of Strategic Growth and Family Office Solutions to deliver Family Enterprise Services to large complex families and single-family offices.
- Manages the annual performance management and merit processes for direct and indirect reports. Coaches and develops team members and builds a work environment where team members are engaged and feel a positive sense of achievement about their role in the company. Works closely with Human Resources regarding employee relations, compensation, training, posting and filling vacant positions and other Human Resources related matters.
- Each team member is expected to be aware of risk within their functional area. This includes observing all policies, procedures, laws, regulations and risk limits specific to their role. Additionally, they should raise and report known or suspected violations to the appropriate Company authority in a timely fashion.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field.
Minimum Experience:
- Fifteen years of experience working with privately owned business, family offices, ultra-high net worth families as a family business consultant including providing strategic consulting and advisory services and collaborating with C-suite executives to drive organizational excellence and achieve business objectives..
Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- In-depth knowledge of family business dynamics, governance structures, succession planning, and intergenerational wealth transfer
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to navigate family dynamics and foster strong client relationships
- Strong understanding of financial analysis, valuation methods, and tax implications related to family businesses
- Deep understanding of mid-market and large privately held firms, with expertise in strategic planning, business operations, and market dynamics
- Proven track record in creating thought-provoking content and establishing TFO as a respected industry leader
- Ability to develop innovative strategies and initiatives to drive business growth and client satisfaction
- Ability to manage large multi-dimensional projects and lead cross-functional teams toward common goals.