Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: Northern New Jersey Market

Bank of America•Paramus, NJ

1d•$80,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Merrill Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals making a career transition who are interested in becoming Financial Advisors. The Financial Advisor works with high-net-worth individuals to identify needs, develop relationships, review financial goals, and deliver comprehensive recommendations for existing and prospective clients. The role also offers collaboration and mentorship from Merrill Financial Advisor Teams to support experience-building and portfolio growth. The position develops and manages a book of business, sources prospective clients and referrals, assesses client needs, recommends suitable investment products and services, and coordinates with internal specialists. It balances investment growth, client follow-up, prospecting, compliance, and professional development while organizing resources to run a productive practice. The role also handles inbound inquiries, gathers client profile information under KYC procedures, services accounts, and records client interactions and opportunities in Salesforce. The program provides training and onboarding, one-on-one coaching through Bank of America’s Academy and local leadership, and a consultative approach to identifying client needs and solutions. The role collaborates with banking and investment partners to provide comprehensive advice and support clients’ financial goals. This role requires Series 7 and Series 66 licenses (or Series 63 and 65 in lieu of Series 66) and is subject to SAFE Act registration and background-check requirements. It is a first-shift position, scheduled for 40 hours per week, with an in-office culture and role-specific flexibility. The listed locations are Fort Lee, Montvale, and Paramus, New Jersey, and West Nyack, New York.

Requirements

Currently holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, or Series 63 and Series 65 licenses in lieu of Series 66.
At least one year of experience in the financial services industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded.
At least one year of experience in the investments industry, including investment training and in-depth knowledge of investment products and services.
Ability to engage with and influence others.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to quickly build trust and credibility.
Ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions or interventions.
Ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key partners.
Ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding.
Goal- and results-oriented approach.
Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to source clients through extensive prospecting and networking.
Ability to work in an environment where the majority of compensation is tied to performance.
Strong follow-through skills.
Computer and technical literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to meet SAFE Act registration requirements, including the required background check and registration process.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree and/or at least one year of financial services industry or sales experience.
Ability to learn and adapt to new technology or applications.
Ability to execute multiple tasks simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Develop a book of business to meet and exceed established performance hurdles.
Prioritize prospective-client sourcing, capitalize on referrals, assess customer needs, refer customers to appropriate internal specialists, and deliver customized solutions.
Recommend suitable investment products and services based on clients’ objectives, resources, time horizons, risk profiles, and preferences.
Balance investment growth, referral activities, customer follow-up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal development.
Organize and manage time, people, and budget to run a productive practice.
Consult specialists as appropriate to identify planning and investment strategies for clients.
Complete mandated training, assessments, performance goals, and continuing education requirements.
Handle inbound inquiries from leads regarding Merrill offerings and position Merrill and Bank of America capabilities.
Collect client profile data and follow standard KYC procedures to open accounts as appropriate.
Serve as interim Financial Advisor, recommend suitable investment products and services, and service client accounts.
Document all client interactions and opportunities accurately in Salesforce.