Summary:

Centura Wealth Advisory is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader to establish and lead its Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) function from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to architect and execute an end-to-end M&A growth strategy focused on advisor tuck-ins, team lift-outs, and small RIA acquisitions. The ideal candidate will be both strategic and execution-oriented—capable of building Centura’s M&A roadmap, sourcing and structuring deals, and managing the full lifecycle from initial outreach through post-acquisition integration.

Primary Responsibilities:

M&A Strategy Development

• Design and build Centura’s M&A growth strategy.
• Define and operationalize a repeatable framework for sourcing, qualifying, due diligence, closing, and integrating acquisitions aligned with Centura’s long-term vision.
• Educate internal stakeholders on M&A objectives and ensure alignment across departments.

Full Lifecycle Deal Execution

• Lead the entire deal lifecycle including:
  • Sourcing: Build a robust pipeline of tuck-in candidates and small team acquisitions.
  • Qualifying: Evaluate cultural, operational, and economic fit with Centura’s business model.
  • Due Diligence: Partner with financial, legal, and operational diligence in collaboration with internal and external partners.
  • Closing: Drive deal structuring, term negotiation, and closing processes.
  • Integration: Develop and execute advisor/team onboarding and integration strategies to ensure client retention, cultural alignment, and operational harmony.

Market Intelligence & Competitive Positioning

• Stay current on consolidation trends, advisor movement, valuation benchmarks, and strategic shifts across the RIA landscape.
• Identify emerging opportunities and risks and adjust M&A strategy accordingly.

Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the point person across all M&A-related activities, liaising between external targets and internal teams (e.g., legal, finance, operations, HR).
• Develop materials and briefings for executive leadership to inform strategic decisions and track acquisition performance.
• Be a thought partner to the leadership team on capital allocation, growth acceleration, and market positioning.
• Perform other duties as assigned, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a builder’s mentality—comfortable launching new initiatives in an unstructured environment.
• Trusted relationship builder with high emotional intelligence, especially in working with advisors, founders, and firm principals.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to present complex deals and strategies to senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Analytical and financially fluent with a strong command of valuation principles and deal structuring.
• Results-driven, persistent, and resourceful in navigating the nuances of advisor transitions and firm acquisitions.
• Strong networking capabilities and ability to work independently.
• High-level problem-solving skills and adaptability to a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative team player who can work cross-functionally
• Willingness to pursue ongoing education and professional development opportunities within the investment management field.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5–8+ years of experience in M&A, corporate development, strategy, or business Strong knowledge of the wealth management industry and experience with advisor recruiting.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling an M&A function, with experience executing or overseeing all M&A functions (sourcing, qualifying, due-diligence, closing, and integrating advisor tuck-ins or small team acquisitions)
• Deep knowledge of the independent wealth management industry—including advisor economics, client transition dynamics, etc.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills, able to drive high-level initiatives while managing multiple deals in motion.
• Strong negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Experience conducting due diligence and leading deal execution from initial outreach to post-close integration.
• Must be able to satisfactorily complete the Centura Wealth Advisory hiring process requirements which include background checks.

Physical Requirements:

Essential functions of this job require the following minimal physical demands. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Required to sit, talk or hear; frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Vision and depth perception suitable for use of utilizing a computer, printer, phone, and keyboard.
• Manual dexterity suitable for use of utilizing a computer.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permit the employee to work in an office setting
• Ability to walk and/or climb 5% of the time comfortably, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to sit at a computer for 90% of the time comfortably, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Travel up to 10% of the time
• Light to moderate lifting

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Must be comfortable working in an office environment to include moderate noise levels.
• The working area is primarily in an open office setting with reasonable lighting and controlled temperatures.

Centura Investment Advisory, headquartered in San Diego with a national presence, is an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm delivering innovative Investment and Wealth Management services to affluent families, business owners, and Corporate Executives. Our skilled professionals have been crafting sophisticated financial solutions as a team since 2005, yielding total Investment efficiency and purpose to those looking to liberate their wealth.

We achieve this by focusing on our clients' needs, upholding the highest ethical standards, fostering a tradition of quality, and investing in the individuals who, together, form our team. In doing so we cultivate a culture of excellence visible throughout all facets of the company, our practices, and most of all, the work we do for our clients.

At Centura Wealth Advisory, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and respected. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Salary: $200+ base and unlimited upside on bonus depending on performance.