Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: Mid Land Market

Bank of America • Peoria, IL

1d • $80,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Merrill Wealth Management provides goals-based wealth management and investment products and services to individuals, companies, and institutions. Its advisory teams combine Merrill investment insights with the banking convenience of Bank of America. Merrill emphasizes an in-office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development, with flexibility based on role-specific responsibilities and business needs.

The Advisor Development Program is designed for people making a career transition to become Financial Advisors. In this role, the Financial Advisor works with high-net-worth clients with annual revenues of $100,000 to $5 million, identifies their needs, develops relationships, reviews investment goals, and prepares investment recommendations. The position uses technology to support business growth, profiles clients to understand their financial objectives, helps execute business development plans, and follows privacy and regulatory guidance. It may also involve residential mortgage loan origination, which requires SAFE Act registration and a background check; employees must maintain registration in good standing.

The role is based at listed Merrill locations in Bloomington, Peoria, or Springfield, Illinois. Merrill expects employees to work in the office in accordance with its workplace policy, subject to role-specific flexibility and business needs. The position is first shift, 40 hours per week, and eligible for a formulaic incentive plan. The stated annualized salary range is $80,000–$90,000, with offers determined by experience, education, and skill set. Benefits-eligible employees have access to paid time off and other benefits, resources, and support.

Requirements

• Currently holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, or Series 63 and Series 65 in lieu of Series 66.
• At least one year of investment-industry experience, including investment training and in-depth knowledge of investment products and services.
• At least one year of experience in financial services and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded.
• Ability to engage with and influence others.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility quickly.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding, assess needs, and recommend appropriate solutions or interventions.
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key partners.
• Goal- and results-oriented, with strong follow-through skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to source clients through prospecting and networking.
• Ability to work in an environment where most compensation is tied to performance.
• Computer and technical literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Minimum education requirement: High school diploma, GED, secondary school, or equivalent.
• Must register with the federal registry system and pass the required SAFE Act background check for this position; registration must be maintained in good standing.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least one year of financial services industry or sales experience.
• Track record of quickly learning and adapting to new technologies, systems, and digital tools.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Handle inbound inquiries from leads about Merrill offerings.
• Present the capabilities of Merrill and Bank of America.
• Collect required client profile data and follow standard KYC procedures to open accounts as appropriate.
• Serve as an interim Financial Advisor by recommending suitable investment products and services based on clients’ and prospects’ objectives, resources, time horizons, risk profiles, and preferences, and by servicing client accounts.
• Accurately document client interactions and opportunities in Salesforce.
• Identify client needs, develop relationships, review investment goals, and prepare investment recommendations.
• Use technology to pursue business growth goals and profile clients to determine their financial objectives.
• Drive initiatives to maximize impact for clients and prospects and assist with executing business development plans.
• Follow privacy and regulatory guidance and meet SAFE Act registration requirements when engaged in residential mortgage loan origination.

Benefits

• Benefits eligibility.
• Access to paid time off.
• Resources and support for employees.
• Eligibility to participate in a formulaic incentive plan, with incentives based on performance against defined metrics.

What This Job Offers

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