Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: East Bay Market

Bank of America; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bank of America’s Merrill Wealth Management is seeking a candidate for the Advisor Development Program – Financial Advisor. You will work with high-net-worth clients, identify needs, develop relationships, review financial goals, and deliver tailored investment recommendations.

You will be mentored by Merrill Financial Advisor Teams, collaborating with banking and investment partners to grow a productive client book through referrals and proactive service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of financial services industry or sales experience.
• Series 7 and 66 licenses or equivalent 63/65 in lieu of 66 are required.
• Strong client-facing and interpersonal skills; ability to build trust and credibility.

Responsibilities

• Handle inbound inquiries and promote Merrill and Bank of America capabilities.
• Open client accounts following KYC procedures and provide investment recommendations.
• Document client interactions in Salesforce and manage a productive practice.
• Collaborate with Merrill Advisor Teams and banking partners to meet client needs.

Skills

Business Acumen

Business Development

Oral Communications

Prospecting

Wealth Planning

Analytical Thinking

Client Experience

Branding

Client Investments Management

Portfolio Analysis

Risk Management

Active Listening

Client Solutions Advisory

Emotional Intelligence

Referral Management

Trading

Education

High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Description: Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment advice and guidance. Merrill’s Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America. Merrill is committed to an in‑office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development. Our approach includes clear in‑office expectations, while providing an appropriate level of flexibility based on role‑specific responsibilities and business needs. At Merrill, we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value the unique perspectives in our thoughts, business, and within our employees and clients. Our Wealth Management team represents an array of different skills and experiences that individuals bring from all backgrounds and careers; whether gained through military service, community college education, or a wide range of work and life experiences. These journeys foster resilience, leadership and innovation, strengthening our workforce and positively impact the communities we serve.

Role Specifics:

This job is responsible for working with high-net worth clients with annual revenues of $100k-$5mm, identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing investment goals, and preparing investment recommendations. Key responsibilities include leveraging technology to achieve business growth goals, profiling activities to determine a client's financial objectives. Job expectations include driving initiatives to maximize impact to clients and prospects, assisting with the execution of business development plans, understanding guidance on privacy and regulatory matters.

As a Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor, you will be responsible for working with high‑net worth individuals identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing financial goals, and delivering comprehensive recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with and be mentored by Merrill Financial Advisor Teams to build upon your experience to promote portfolio growth.

The Merrill Advisor Development Program- Financial Advisor engages in:

• Developing a book of business in order to meet and exceed established performance hurdles
• Effectively prioritizes sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to the appropriate internal specialists, and executing highly customized solutions to meet client needs
• Recommending investment products and services that are suitable for prospects based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile and preferences
• Balancing investment growth, referral activities, customer follow up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal growth and development according to both a day‑to‑day and longer‑term planning
• Organizing and managing resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice
• Seeking the expertise of specialists, where appropriate, to identify planning and investment strategies for a client
• Completing mandated training, assessments, performance goals and continuing education requirements

We’ll help you:

• Build a successful career at Bank of America through world class training and on‑boarding programs that set you up for success.
• Get training and one‑on‑one coaching from our award‑winning Academy at Bank of America and local leadership who are invested in your success.
• Grow your business knowledge by using a defined consultative approach to systematically identify client needs and appropriate solutions.
• Provide end‑to‑end comprehensive advice, deliver client reviews/presentations with confidence and recommend strategies to help achieve their financial goals and life priorities.
• Collaborate with core banking and investment partners.
• Connect to all the solutions we provide through Bank of America and Merrill to meet virtually all their financial needs.

Responsibilities:

• Handles inbound inquiries from leads regarding Merrill offerings
• Positions the extensive capabilities of Merrill and Bank of America
• Collects the necessary client profile data, following standard KYC procedures to open account(s) as appropriate
• Serves as interim Financial Advisor, providing recommendation of investment products and services that are suitable for prospects and clients based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences as well as servicing client accounts
• Documents all client interactions and opportunities within Salesforce accurately

Required Qualifications:

• Currently holds Series 7 and 66 (or the equivalent 63 and 65 in lieu of 66) licenses
• Minimum of one year of experience in the investments industry, including investment training and in-depth knowledge of investment products and services
• Minimum of one year of experience working in the financial service industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded
• Proven ability to engage with and influence others
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills with a proven ability to quickly build trust and credibility
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
• Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding; assess needs; and recommend appropriate solutions/interventions
• Proven ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key partners
• Goal and results oriented with strong follow‑through skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven ability to source clients through extensive prospecting and networking
• Ability to work in an environment where the majority of your compensation is tied to your performance
• Possess computer/technical literacy and is proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of financial services industry or sales experience
• Track record of quickly learning and adapting to new technologies, systems, and digital tools
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic, deadline‑driven environment

Skills:

• Business Acumen
• Business Development
• Oral Communications
• Prospecting
• Wealth Planning
• Analytical Thinking
• Client Experience
• Branding
• Client Investments Management
• Portfolio Analysis
• Risk Management
• Active Listening
• Client Solutions Advisory
• Emotional Intelligence
• Referral Management
• Trading

Minimum Education Requirement:

High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent

Shift:

1st shift (United States of America)

Hours Per Week: 40

Pay Transparency details

• US - CA - Napa - 700 MAIN ST (CA3811)
• US - CA - Oakland - 1111 BROADWAY (CA4806)
• US - CA - Pleasanton - 4900 Hopyard Rd - 4900 Hopyard Rd (CA4808)
• US - CA - Santa Rosa - 90 S E ST (CA3810)
• US - CA - Walnut Creek - 1331 N CALIFORNIA BLVD (CA4813)

Pay and benefits information

Pay range $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 annualized salary, offers to be determined based on experience, education and skill set.

Formulaic incentive eligible This role is eligible to participate in a formulaic incentive plan.

Employees are eligible for incentives as detailed by the specific line of business incentive plan provisions.

Formulaic plans may be comprised of monthly, quarterly and/or annual incentive opportunities. Incentives are earned based on the employee’s performance against defined metrics.

Benefits This role is currently benefits eligible. We provide industry‑leading benefits, access to paid time off, resources and support to our employees so they can make a genuine impact and contribute to the sustainable growth of our business and the communities we serve.

Bank of America is committed to help employees through the transition period when they’re displaced as a result of a workforce reduction, realignment or similar measure.