Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: San Diego Market

Bank of America; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bank of America is seeking candidates for the Merrill Advisor Development Program – Financial Advisor in the United States. This role focuses on identifying client needs, building relationships, reviewing goals, and delivering comprehensive recommendations alongside Merrill Advisor Teams.

The program emphasizes training, mentorship, and a consultative approach to grow a client book, with performance-based rewards and a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and ongoing education.

Qualifications

• Current Series 7 & 66 (or 63 & 65 in lieu) licenses.

Responsibilities

• Handle inbound inquiries from leads regarding Merrill offerings.

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

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. It 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 an advisory team committed to their needs. Trust is built on transparency. The advisory teams use the investment insights of Merrill along with the banking convenience of Bank of America.

Merrill is committed to an in‑office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development, with clear in‑office expectations and a level of flexibility based on role‑specific responsibilities and business needs.

We empower employees to bring their whole selves to work. We value diverse perspectives and backgrounds, fostering resilience, leadership, and innovation; these journeys strengthen our workforce and positively impact the communities we serve.

The Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals excited to make a career transition and pursue a passion for becoming a Financial Advisor.

Role Specifics

As a Merrill Advisor Development Program – Financial Advisor, you will be responsible for working with high-net‑worth individuals to identify needs, develop relationships, review financial goals, and deliver comprehensive recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. You’ll collaborate with and be mentored by Merrill Financial Advisor Teams to build upon your experience and promote portfolio growth.

The Merrill Advisor Development Program – Financial Advisor engages in:

• Developing a book of business to meet and exceed established performance targets
• Effectively prioritizing sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to appropriate internal specialists, and executing highly customized solutions to meet client needs
• Recommending investment products and services 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 on both a day‑to‑day and long‑term basis
• Organizing and managing resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice
• Seeking 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 onboarding programs that set you up for success
• Receive training and one‑on‑one coaching from our award‑winning Academy at Bank of America and local leadership 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 and presentations with confidence, and recommend strategies to help clients achieve their financial goals and life priorities
• Collaborate with core banking and investment partners, connecting to all the solutions we provide through Bank of America and Merrill to meet virtually all their financial needs

Responsibilities

• Handle inbound inquiries from leads regarding Merrill offerings
• Position the extensive capabilities of Merrill and Bank of America
• Collect necessary client profile data, following standard KYC procedures to open account(s) as appropriate
• Serve as interim Financial Advisor, providing recommendations for investment products and services suitable for prospects and clients based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences, while servicing client accounts
• Document all client interactions and opportunities within Salesforce accurately

Required Qualifications

• Currently holds Series 7 & 66 (or 63 & 65 in lieu of 66) licenses
• Minimum of one year experience in the financial services industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded
• Minimum of one year experience in the investments industry, including investment training and in‑depth knowledge of investment products and services
• Proven ability to engage with and influence others
• 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
• Proven ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key partners
• Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding
• Goal‑oriented and results‑driven
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven 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 and proficiency 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
• Quick learner who adapts to new technology or applications
• Ability to execute multiple tasks simultaneously

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

This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act requirements, all employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Since this position requires SAFE Act registration, you will be required to register and to submit to the required SAFE Act background check and registration process. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in immediate termination.

Shift: 1st shift (United States of America)

Hours Per Week: 40