Merrill Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program: West Florida Market (South)

Bank of America • Sarasota, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Merrill Wealth Management provides goals-based wealth management, investment products, and services to individuals, companies, and institutions. The Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) is an entry role for people pursuing a career transition to become a Financial Advisor at Merrill. It begins with client-service support for multiple Financial Advisors (FAs), followed by progressive training and milestones that lead to a Financial Advisor trainee role and ultimately a Merrill Financial Advisor position.

At the start of the program, associates receive dedicated study time to obtain the SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 securities licenses within 120 days. Series 63 and 65 are accepted in place of Series 66 if previously held. After licensing, associates learn foundational client-associate skills and support FAs’ strategic, operational, and client advocacy objectives. They serve as a frequent Merrill contact for clients’ service needs and as a resource to the FA team, tailoring support to the team’s needs.

After demonstrating proficiency in the current role and completing experiential activities that demonstrate advisor potential, associates progress to the next stage of the Advisor Development Program. As Financial Advisor trainees, they receive dedicated training and begin building a book of business. They work in a Merrill office to acquire, build, and manage client relationships, consider clients’ complex financial situations, and provide advice and solutions. After meeting the trainee performance requirements, the destination role is Merrill Financial Advisor. Dedicated programs, tools, and resources support associates throughout this career progression.

The program includes developing a book of business, prospecting and networking, identifying client needs, making appropriate referrals, recommending suitable investment products and services, coordinating with specialists, managing practice resources, completing required training and continuing education, and balancing client, business, compliance, and professional development activities. The company describes its work culture as committed to in-office collaboration, engagement, and career development, with role-specific flexibility based on responsibilities and business needs. The role requires SAFE Act registration and completion of the required background check and registration process; failure to obtain or maintain registration may result in termination.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, secondary school qualification, or equivalent.
• Obtain SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 within 120 days; Series 63 and 65 are accepted in lieu of Series 66 if previously held.
• Subject to SAFE Act registration requirements, including the required background check and registration process; must obtain and maintain registration.
• Confidence working as a self-starter in a sales role.
• Ability to build strong client relationships through effective communication and collaboration.
• Proactive mindset and effective time management.
• Results-driven growth mindset and ability to prioritize client interests.
• Ability to identify appropriate client solutions through application of learning and new information.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to quickly build trust and credibility.
• Proven ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team and independently.
• Ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to source clients through extensive prospecting and networking.
• Strong follow-through skills.
• Computer and technical literacy, including proficiency with applications such as Microsoft Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of work experience.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new technology or applications.
• Ability to execute multiple tasks simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Provide client-service support to multiple Financial Advisors and act as a frequent Merrill contact for clients’ service needs.
• Partner with Financial Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision Managers on client servicing, risk, investments, and banking products; receive guidance and escalate issues as needed.
• Educate clients on the bank’s service and banking offerings and provide excellent client service.
• Ensure client materials are timely, accurate, and complete, and follow up on client and FA requests.
• Help ensure practices align with bank policies and procedures to support operational excellence, protect clients, and manage risk.
• Identify, deepen, and maintain client relationships by emphasizing bank offerings and incorporating banking into day-to-day practices; communicate outputs to the FA.
• Provide business-development, investment-solutions, and/or business-management support to multiple FAs.
• Develop a book of business and meet or exceed established performance hurdles.
• Prioritize and source prospective clients, capitalize on referrals, assess customer needs, refer customers to internal specialists, and execute customized solutions.
• Recommend suitable investment products and services based on prospects’ objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences.
• Balance investment growth, referrals, customer follow-up, prospecting, administrative compliance, and personal development in daily and longer-term planning.
• Organize and manage time, people, and budget to run a productive practice.
• Seek specialist expertise as appropriate to identify client planning and investment strategies.
• Complete mandated training, assessments, performance goals, and continuing education requirements.
• Obtain the SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses within 120 days, unless Series 63 and 65 are held in lieu of Series 66.
• Progress to Financial Advisor trainee after demonstrating proficiency and completing experiential activities; acquire, build, and manage client relationships and meet trainee performance requirements.

Benefits

• World-class training and onboarding programs.
• Training and one-on-one coaching through the Bank of America Academy and local leadership.
• Dedicated programs, tools, and resources throughout the career journey.

What This Job Offers

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