Advisor Development Program Client Associate

Bank of America•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Merrill Wealth Management is a leading global provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services, specializing in goals-based wealth management. Merrill's Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates build personal relationships with clients, leveraging Merrill's investment insights and Bank of America's banking convenience. The company fosters an in-office culture with flexibility and values diversity among its employees. The Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals seeking to transition into a Financial Advisor career. The Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) is an entry-level role within this program. Initially, the role focuses on obtaining Securities Industry licenses (SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 within 120 days) and providing client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs). Key responsibilities include supporting strategic objectives, operational excellence, and client advocacy, serving as a primary client contact, and acting as a resource for FAs. Upon achieving key milestones and demonstrating advisor capabilities, individuals progress to a Financial Advisor trainee role. In this stage, they build a book of business, acquire and manage client relationships, and provide financial advice and solutions. The ultimate goal is to become a Merrill Financial Advisor, with continuous support, tools, and resources provided throughout the career journey.

Requirements

Obtain Securities Industry Essentials [SIE], Series 7, and Series 66 Exams within 120 days (63 & 65 accepted, in lieu of 66, if previously held).
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 in applications such as Microsoft Suite.
Subject to SAFE Act registration requirements, including federal registry system registration and background check.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Provide client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs).
Support enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence goals, and client advocacy within the FA’s business.
Customize solutions based on specific client needs.
Serve as the most frequent point of contact within Merrill to address all service needs of their clients.
Act as a resource for FAs on the team.
Obtain Securities Industry licenses (SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 Exams) within 120 days.
Progress into the next stage of the Advisor Development Program, beginning building a book of business as a Financial Advisor trainee.
Acquire, build, and manage client relationships while considering a client’s complex financial picture and guiding them with advice and solutions.
Develop a book of business in order to meet and exceed established performance hurdles.
Effectively prioritize and source prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to the appropriate internal specialists, and executing highly customized solutions to meet client needs.
Recommend investment products and services that are 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 and development according to both a day-to-day and longer-term planning.
Organize and manage resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice.
Seek the expertise of specialists, where appropriate, to identify planning and investment strategies for a client.
Complete mandated training, assessments, performance goals and continuing education requirements.
Partner with Financial Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision Managers on all aspects of client servicing, risk, investments, and banking products, while receiving appropriate guidance and escalating issues as needed.
Provide excellent Client Service to the bank's clients through educating them on all of the bank's service and banking offerings.
Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and completeness in client materials and follows up on all client and Financial Advisor (FA) requests.
Assist with ensuring practices are in alignment with the bank's policies and procedures to support operational excellence, protect the bank's clients, and manage risk.
Identify, deepen, and maintain client relationships through emphasizing the bank's offerings and promoting incorporation of banking into day-to-day practices, while communicating outputs to the FA.
Perform 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.