Investment Associate

Northwestern Mutual•Baxter, MN

19h

About The Position

The Investment Associate plays a central role in implementing Cowell Financial’s planning and wealth philosophies. The position combines technical investment work with client-service responsibilities and involves participating in investment committee meetings, supporting investment operations, and providing portfolio analysis and client-focused recommendations. The role also offers opportunities for professional development and advancement. The associate supports investment strategy and portfolio management, retirement and qualified-plan activities, account trading and operations, client service and compliance, and ongoing research and learning. Work includes translating committee decisions into client actions, analyzing and managing portfolios, coordinating account transactions and retirement plans, and maintaining a high standard of confidentiality, compliance, and client service.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
SIE, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses, or equivalent.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.
Excellent quantitative skills, including time value of money, use of a financial calculator, and portfolio analytics.
Strong analytical, research, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
Effective active-listening and communication skills.
Commitment to client-first ethics, confidentiality, and compliance.
Passion for investments and a demonstrated interest in ongoing professional development.

Nice To Haves

CFA designation or desire to acquire it.

Responsibilities

Implement and uphold Cowell Financial’s planning and wealth management philosophies across client accounts.
Participate in investment committee meetings and translate committee decisions into client actions.
Perform asset allocation, asset location, and time-weighted asset allocation analysis.
Implement rebalancing, tax-loss and gain harvesting, Roth conversions, charitable giving strategies, and strategic distribution planning.
Prepare and execute retirement distribution plans, required minimum distributions (RMDs), cash reserve strategies, and other retirement initiatives.
Monitor share classes, annuities, advisory pricing, letters of intent and breakpoints, and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC).
Monitor and optimize expenses across client portfolios, including whole-family aggregated advisory pricing and SIMPLE IRA breakpoints.
Maintain entity tax-type and SIMPLE IRA eligibility requirements.
Provide general 401(k) allocation observations based on service models and client needs.
Assist with in-service distributions, automatic employer-plan rebalancing reminders, and coordination with third-party administrators (TPAs).
Maintain current Plan Highlights documentation and ensure retirement account deposits are made before tax filing deadlines.
Complete onboarding paperwork, send documents for electronic signature, facilitate rollovers and transfers, place trades, log checks and orders, execute ACHs and wires, and manage account operations across advisory, brokerage, variable annuity, SMA, and Private Client Services accounts.
Monitor annual advisory account review requirements, items for attention, alerts, and other operational exceptions.
Analyze clients’ financial situations and portfolios to develop and implement comprehensive recommendations aligned with their goals.
Maintain confidentiality, compliance, and exceptional client service in all interactions.
Work independently and collaboratively, delegate where appropriate, and manage multiple complex assignments accurately and efficiently.
Maintain current knowledge of the investment industry and Northwestern Mutual.
Participate in firm learning opportunities, including meetings, schools, conferences, webinars, and professional designation programs.