Merrill Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program: Northeast Ohio Market

Bank of America • Pepper Pike, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Merrill Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) is an entry-level role designed for individuals seeking a career transition into becoming a Financial Advisor. This role serves as a progression into the Advisor Development Program, with the ultimate goal of becoming a full-scale Financial Advisor at Merrill. The WMCA - ADP provides client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs) and begins with obtaining necessary Securities Industry licenses, including the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7, and Series 66 exams, within 120 days. Upon licensing, foundational skills for the WMCA - ADP role are taught. The role involves supporting multiple FAs by addressing client service needs, supporting enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence, and client advocacy. As milestones are met, including role proficiency and completion of experiential activities, individuals progress to building a book of business as a Financial Advisor trainee, followed by becoming a Merrill Financial Advisor. Throughout this journey, dedicated programs, tools, and resources are provided for career development.

Requirements

• 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.
• Must obtain Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7, and Series 66 Exams within 120 days (63 & 65 accepted in lieu of 66 if previously held).
• High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent.

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

• Providing client service support to multiple Financial Advisors (FAs).
• Supporting enterprise strategic objectives and operational excellence goals.
• Acting as the most frequent point of contact for clients to address all service needs.
• Serving 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, and referring customers to appropriate internal specialists.
• 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.
• Organizing and managing resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice.
• Seeking the expertise of specialists 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.
• Providing excellent client service by educating clients on bank 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 align with bank policies and procedures to support operational excellence, protect clients, and manage risk.
• Identifying, deepening, and maintaining client relationships by emphasizing bank offerings and promoting the incorporation of banking into daily practices.
• Performing general business growth support functions, including business development, investment solutions, and business management support to multiple FAs.

Benefits

• World-class training and on-boarding programs.
• Training and one-on-one coaching from award-winning Academy at Bank of America and local leadership.
• Opportunity to grow business knowledge using a defined consultative approach.
• End-to-end comprehensive advice.
• Deliver client reviews/presentations with confidence.
• Recommend strategies to help achieve financial goals and life priorities.
• Collaborate with core banking and investment partners.
• Connect to all solutions provided through Bank of America and Merrill.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED