Merrill Wealth Management Client Associate

About the Role

Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services. The Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals transitioning into a career as a Financial Advisor. The Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) is an entry role within this program, with the ultimate goal of becoming a full-scale Financial Advisor at Merrill. This role requires obtaining Securities Industry licenses and provides foundational skills for a WMCA - ADP.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs).
• Support enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence goals, and client advocacy.
• Customize solutions based on FA's specific needs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for client service needs.
• Act as a resource for FAs on the team.
• Progress to building a book of business as a Financial Advisor trainee, acquiring, building, and managing client relationships.
• Guide clients with advice and solutions, considering their complex financial picture.
• Develop a book of business to meet and exceed performance hurdles.
• Effectively prioritize and source prospective clients, capitalize on referrals, assess customer needs, and refer customers to appropriate internal specialists.
• Execute highly customized solutions to meet client needs.
• Recommend investment products and services suitable for prospects based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences.
• Balance investment growth, referral activities, customer follow-up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal growth.
• Organize and manage resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice.
• Seek expertise of specialists for planning and investment strategies.
• Complete mandated training, assessments, performance goals, and continuing education requirements.
• Partner with Financial Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision Managers on client servicing, risk, investments, and banking products.
• Escalate issues as needed.
• Provide excellent client service by educating clients on bank service and banking offerings.
• Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and completeness in client materials and follow up on requests.
• Assist in aligning practices with bank policies and procedures to support operational excellence, protect clients, and manage risk.
• Identify, deepen, and maintain client relationships by emphasizing bank offerings and promoting banking incorporation into daily practices.
• Communicate outputs to the FA.
• Perform general business growth support functions, providing business development, investment solutions, and/or business management support to multiple FAs.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Obtain Securities Industry licenses: Securities Industry Essentials [SIE], Series 7, and Series 66 Exams (or 63 & 65 if previously held) within 120 days.
• Microsoft Suite proficiency.

Qualifications

• Displays confidence working as a self-starter in a sales role.
• Builds strong client relationships through effective communication and collaboration.
• Displays a proactive mindset and effective time management.
• Demonstrates a results-driven growth mindset and prioritizes client interests.
• Identifies appropriate client solutions through application of learnings and new information.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proven ability to quickly build trust and credibility.
• Proven ability to assess needs of and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Proven ability to work both collaboratively on a team with key partners and independently.
• Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven ability to source clients through extensive prospecting and networking.
• Strong follow-through skills.
• Computer/technical literacy and proficiency.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of work experience (desired).
• Learns and adapts to new technology or applications (desired).
• Executes multiple tasks simultaneously (desired).
• High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent (minimum education requirement).

Skills

• Account Management
• Client Management
• Customer and Client Focus
• Issue Management
• Oral Communications
• Business Development
• Client Solutions Advisory
• Pipeline Management
• Prioritization
• Trade Operations Management
• Administrative Services
• Client Investments Management
• Emotional Intelligence
• Referral Identification
• Written Communications

Additional Information

• This position may be responsible for the provision of residential mortgage loans and is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements.
• Shift: 1st shift.
• Hours Per Week: 37.5.