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 excited to make a career transition and follow their passion of becoming a Financial Advisor.

The Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) role is an entry role into our Advisor Development Program where the destination role is becoming a full-scale Financial Advisor at Merrill. This progression role is responsible for providing client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs).

Key Responsibilities

• Providing client service support to multiple FAs.
• Supporting enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence goals, and client advocacy within the FA’s business, while customizing solutions based on their specific needs.
• Serving as the most frequent point of contact within Merrill to address all service needs of their clients.
• Acting as a resource for FAs on the team.
• Developing a book of business to meet and exceed established performance hurdles.
• Effectively prioritizing and sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to appropriate internal specialists, and executing customized solutions.
• Recommending investment products and services suitable for prospects based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences.
• Balancing investment growth, referral activities, customer follow-up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal growth and development according to day-to-day and longer-term planning.
• Organizing and managing resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice.
• Seeking the expertise of specialists, where appropriate, to identify planning and investment strategies for a client.
• Completing mandated training, assessments, performance goals, and continuing education requirements.
• Partnering with Financial Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision Managers on client servicing, risk, investments, and banking products, escalating issues as needed.
• Providing excellent client service by educating them on the bank's service and banking offerings.
• Ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and completeness in client materials and following up on all client and FA requests.
• Assisting with ensuring practices are in alignment with the bank's policies and procedures to support operational excellence, protect clients, and manage risk.
• Identifying, deepening, and maintaining client relationships by emphasizing the bank's offerings and promoting the incorporation of banking into day-to-day practices, while communicating outputs to the FA.
• Performing general business growth support functions aligned to the role of the Client Associate or Wealth Management Client Associate, 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 within 120 days.
• Note: Series 63 & 65 accepted in lieu of Series 66 if previously held.
• Microsoft Suite

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 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.
• High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of work experience.
• Learns and adapts to new technology or applications.
• Executes multiple tasks simultaneously.

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 Details

• This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Registration with the federal registry system and remaining in good standing are required. Failure to obtain/maintain registration may result in termination.
• Shift: 1st shift
• Hours Per Week: 37.5