Merrill Wealth Management Client Associate–Advisor Development Program: Blue Ridge

Bank of America; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wealth Management Client Associate - Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) at Bank of America is an entry role designed to train individuals to become a Financial Advisor. You will support Financial Advisors with client service, licensing progress, and preparation for advancement within Merrill’s advisor development track.

During the program you’ll gain foundational skills, licensure timelines, and exposure to enterprise objectives while forming client relationships and developing a

Qualifications

• Obtain Securities Industry licenses (SIE, Series 7 and Series 66) within 120 days;63 & 65 accepted if previously held.
• Entry role into Advisor Development Program leading to a Merrill Financial Advisor.
• Strong client service mindset with ability to support Financial Advisors and address client needs.
• Ability to progress through staged roles to ultimately become a Merrill Financial Advisor.

Responsibilities

• Provide client service support to multiple Financial Advisors (FAs).
• Support enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence goals, and client advocacy within the FA's business.
• Serve as the most frequent internal contact for Merrill clients and a resource for FAs.
• Progress through the Advisor Development Program and prepare for becoming a Financial Advisor trainee.
• Assist in building a book of business and managing client relationships as you advance.

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.

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

Job Description

The Wealth Management Client Associate - Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) role is an entry role into our Advisor Development Program where the destination role is becoming a full-scale Financial Advisor at Merrill. This progression role is responsible for providing client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs).

As a WMCA - ADP your journey begins by obtaining your Securities Industry licenses, where you will receive dedicated study time for your Securities Industry Essentials [SIE], Series 7, and Series 66 Exams. Your SIE, Series 7 & 66 must be obtained within 120 days; (63 & 65 accepted, in lieu of 66, if previously held). Once you obtain your licenses, you will be taught the foundational skills needed to be a WMCA - ADP.

This job is responsible for providing client service support to multiple FAs. Key responsibilities include supporting enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence goals, and client advocacy within the FA's business, while customizing solutions based on their specific needs. Job expectations include serving as the most frequent point of contact within Merrill to address all service needs of their clients and acting as a resource for FAs on the team.

Once you have reached your key milestones, including proficiency in your current role and the completion of experiential activities showcasing your ability to become an advisor, you will then progress into the next stage of the Advisor Development Program, beginning building a book of business as a Financial Advisor trainee. You will complete dedicated training preparing you for this role and once complete you will continue to work in a Merrill office where you will be acquiring, building, and managing client relationships while considering a client's complex financial picture and guiding them with advice and solutions.

Once you complete your performance requirements as a Financial Advisor trainee you will reach the ultimate destination of becoming a Merrill Financial Advisor. You will be supported along the way with dedicated programs, tools, and resources throughout your career journey.

The Advisor Development Program consists of progressive roles to ultimately become a Merrill Financial Advisor. Our progressive roles in the Advisor Development Program engage in:

• Developing a book of business in order to meet and exceed established performance hurdles
• Effectively prioritizing and 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 f