Merrill Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program: San Francisco Market

Bank of America • San Francisco, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) is an entry role in Merrill’s Advisor Development Program, with the ultimate destination of becoming a Merrill Financial Advisor. The role provides client service support to multiple Financial Advisors (FAs), supporting strategic objectives, operational excellence, and client advocacy while tailoring solutions to the needs of each FA’s business. The associate is a frequent point of contact for clients’ service needs and a resource for FAs.

The program begins with dedicated study time for the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7, and Series 66 exams. These licenses must be obtained within 120 days; previously held Series 63 and 65 licenses are accepted in place of Series 66. After licensing, participants learn foundational Wealth Management Client Associate skills. After demonstrating proficiency and completing experiential activities, participants progress to Financial Advisor trainee, receive dedicated training, and begin building a book of business. After meeting trainee performance requirements, participants can become Merrill Financial Advisors. The program provides dedicated programs, tools, and resources throughout the career progression.

In the progressive Advisor Development Program roles, participants build a book of business and meet performance hurdles; identify, source, and serve prospective clients; assess needs and recommend suitable investment products and services; balance investment growth, referrals, follow-up, prospecting, compliance, and development; manage resources to run a productive practice; seek specialist expertise for client planning and investment strategies; and complete required training, assessments, performance goals, and continuing education.

The position is based in a Merrill office and is part of an in-office culture intended to support collaboration, engagement, and career development, with flexibility based on role responsibilities and business needs. The listed schedule is first shift, 37.5 hours per week. The position may involve residential mortgage loan origination and requires SAFE Act registration and a background check if engaged in those activities.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, secondary school qualification, or equivalent.
• Obtain SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses within 120 days; Series 63 and 65 are accepted in place of Series 66 if previously held.
• 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 by applying learning and new information.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to quickly build trust and credibility.
• Ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with key partners 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.
• If engaged in residential mortgage loan origination, register with the federal SAFE Act registry and remain in good standing, including completing the required background check.

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 point of contact for their clients’ service needs.
• Support enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence, and client advocacy, customizing solutions to the needs of Financial Advisors’ businesses.
• Partner with Financial Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision Managers on client servicing, risk, investments, and banking products; seek guidance and escalate issues as needed.
• Educate clients about the bank’s services and banking offerings.
• Ensure client materials are timely, accurate, and complete, and follow up on client and Financial Advisor 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 the bank’s offerings and incorporating banking into day-to-day practices; communicate outputs to the Financial Advisor.
• Provide business development, investment solutions, and/or business management support to multiple Financial Advisors.
• 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 appropriate 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.
• Organize and manage time, people, and budget to run a productive practice.
• Seek specialist expertise 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, with Series 63 and 65 accepted in place of Series 66 if previously held.
• Progress through the program’s milestones, including role proficiency and experiential activities, then complete Financial Advisor trainee training and performance requirements.

Benefits

• Benefits eligible.
• Access to paid time off.
• World-class training and onboarding programs.
• Training and one-on-one coaching from the Bank of America Academy and local leadership.

What This Job Offers

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