Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: Valley Coast Market

Bank of America; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

World-class training

One-on-one coaching

Career growth

End-to-end advisory

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Bank of America’s Merrill Wealth Management is seeking candidates for the Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor. You will work with high-net-worth clients, identify needs, and present comprehensive investment recommendations aligned with client goals.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Merrill Advisor Teams, mentorship from senior advisors, and a path to building a scalable practice through structured training and performance-driven compensation.

Qualifications

• Current Series 7 and 66 licenses (or 63/65 in lieu).
• Minimum 1 year of investments industry experience.
• Minimum 1 year in financial services or sales with goals achieved.
• Proven ability to engage with and influence others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong relationship-building.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a book of high-net-worth clients to meet goals.
• Profile clients and determine financial objectives; deliver investment recommendations.
• Leverage technology to drive growth and referrals.
• Execute business development plans with privacy/regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Merrill Advisor Teams to grow portfolios.
• Document client interactions in Salesforce.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Relationship building

Prospecting

Sales effectiveness

Team collaboration

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

High School Diploma / GED

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

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.

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

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

This position may be responsible for the provision of residential mortgage loans, and as such, is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act requirements, all employees engaged in residential mortgage loan originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Since this position requires SAFE Act registration, employees are required to register and to submit to the required SAFE Act background check. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. The following laws or regulations restrict or prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain specified criminal history for the position: FDIC; Safe Act; Loan Originators; and FINRA.

Shift

1st shift (United States of America)

Hours Per Week

40