Chief People Officer

Apella Wealth (Apella) is an established and fast-growing wealth management firm (RIA) that is expanding to new markets. This role is based in our West Hartford, CT office.

Apella is headquartered in CT with offices across the country. As Apella continues to grow it offers clients, employees and advisors a unique experience by taking a team approach to offering the highest quality of service. We get to know our clients very well and use that knowledge to create customized financial, investment and tax plans, and manage their investments.

We are seeking a Chief People Officer (CPO) to join our leadership team and help shape the future of our company through strategic growth and organizational excellence.

In this newly established role, the Chief People Officer (CPO) will be a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for shaping HR strategy and strengthening organizational effectiveness. The CPO will align HR initiatives with Apella Wealth’s business objectives that support the firm’s rapid, acquisition‑driven growth and reinforce our employee‑owner culture.

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with Apella Wealth’s business goals and employee-owner culture.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and leadership team on organizational design, talent strategy, and workforce planning.
• Drive initiatives that support growth, scalability, and operational excellence.
• Lead HR integration efforts for mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, cultural alignment, and workforce transition planning.

Culture & Engagement

• Champion Apella Wealth’s employee-owner culture, fostering collaboration, inclusion, and engagement.
• Lead initiatives that enhance employee experience and retention.

Organizational Development

• Partner with leadership to design and refine organizational structures that promote clarity in roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines.
• Build and implement performance management frameworks to support employee development and engagement.

Compliance & HR Infrastructure

• Ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, and payroll strategies to maintain competitive and equitable practices.
• Establish foundational HR systems and processes, including recommendations for HRIS and ATS implementation.
• HR vendor management and strategic alignment with Human Resource vendors.

• 15+ years of progressive HR experience, including leadership roles in multi-site organizations.
• Proven experience as a CHRO, Managing Director, or senior HR executive within a growth-oriented organization.
• Strong background in strategic HR leadership, organizational development, and change management.
• Multi-state knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices, including California and New York.
• Experience leading end-to-end HR strategy for mergers and acquisitions.
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach.
• Bachelor’s degree - Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) is a plus.

Apella Wealth, LLC is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Apella Wealth offers competitive salaries and benefits to full-time employees (30 hours per week or more) that include Unlimited Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability, 401k, Vision, Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Voluntary Life Insurance, Education Assistance and the opportunity to work in an exciting, fast-paced environment.

Gallagher's HR & Organizational effectiveness team provides expert guidance and hands-on support in HR, Recruiting, and Payroll to help organizations stay focused on achieving their strategic business goals.