Merrill Wealth Management Client Associate, Advisor Development Program

About the Role

Merrill Wealth Management offers comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services. The Advisor Development Program (ADP) is designed for individuals seeking to transition into a career as a Financial Advisor. The Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program (WMCA – ADP) is an entry-level role within this program, with the ultimate goal of becoming a full-scale Financial Advisor at Merrill.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs).
• Obtain Securities Industry Essentials [SIE], Series 7, and Series 66 Exams within 120 days (63 & 65 accepted in lieu of 66 if previously held).
• Learn foundational skills for the WMCA – ADP role after obtaining licenses.
• 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 upon reaching key milestones.
• Acquire, build, and manage client relationships, guiding them with advice and solutions.
• Partners with Financial Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision Managers on client servicing, risk, investments, and banking products.
• Provides excellent client service by educating them on the bank's service and banking offerings.
• Ensures timeliness, accuracy, and completeness in client materials and follows up on client and FA requests.
• Assists with ensuring practices align with bank policies and procedures for operational excellence, client protection, and risk management.
• Identifies, deepens, and maintains client relationships by emphasizing bank offerings and promoting the incorporation of banking into day-to-day practices.
• Performs general business growth support functions, including business development, investment solutions, and business management support to multiple FAs.
• Develops a book of business to meet and exceed established performance hurdles.
• Effectively prioritizes and sources prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to appropriate internal specialists, and executing customized solutions.
• Recommends investment products and services suitable for prospects based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences.
• Balances investment growth, referral activities, customer follow-up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal growth and development.
• Organizes and manages resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice.
• Seeks expertise of specialists to identify planning and investment strategies for clients.
• Completes mandated training, assessments, performance goals, and continuing education requirements.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• 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 and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Proven ability to work 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.
• High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of work experience (Desired Qualification).
• Learns and adapts to new technology or applications (Desired Qualification).
• Executes multiple tasks simultaneously (Desired Qualification).

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

This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements.

Shift: 1st shift (United States of America)

Hours Per Week: 37.5