Financial Planning Business Consultant

About the role

Enhances field productivity and profitability by partnering with financial advisors to help them build and grow integrated planning practices. Provides in-depth consultation and support to advisors on financial planning, sales processes, products and implementation. Identifies and develops best practices, tools, training and resources needed to introduce successful financial planning services to the field. Leads projects to enhance centralized service models; drive adoption of Northwestern Mutual’s planning and investment philosophies; and support the growth of integrated advisors in the field. Supports workflow refinement, team development and change management in alignment with Northwestern Mutual’s evolving distribution strategy.

Responsibilities

• Consults with advisor on financial planning, product options, suitability, and investment concepts and strategies.
• Analyzes clients’ financial goals, current situation and portfolio; thoroughly documents case notes and thought process for recommendations presented to advisors.
• Develops appropriate recommendation options to meet client needs, risk profile, time horizon and preferences.
• Coaches on the presentation of financial plans, investment cases and successful client presentation including handling client objections.
• Leads projects to enhance the program to increase alignment with planning, integrate investments and increase productivity in field offices, including development of tools, training and other materials.
• Leads training and education through designing, planning, coordinating and presenting on topics including program administration, financial planning, investments, technology and workflow.
• Analyzes workflows and business opportunities to address program implementation obstacles and define centralized planning services to enhance retention and productivity of financial representatives and field offices.

Requirements

• FINRA Series 7 required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of financial services experience including both brokerage and advisory investment platforms with demonstrated investment knowledge and understanding of markets, products, platforms and services.
• Ability to assess client financial situations and analyze portfolios to develop and implement comprehensive plans aligned with client goals.
• Confidence in counseling representatives on a variety of proactive approaches and solutions.
• Strong analytical skills, problem solving, attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong consultation, organizational and communication skills including ability to establish rapport at all levels of the organization.
• High degree of self-motivation with leadership and initiative in sharing information, contributing toward group goals and accepting responsibility for results.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 3 years as a financial planner or investment sales producer preferred.
• Financial Planning designations desired (CLU, ChFC, RICP, CFP preferred).

Skills

• Adaptive Communication: Formulates strategies to convey complex information about services, products, systems, or processes to targeted audiences; communicates and liaises between technical and non-technical audiences.
• Analytical Thinking: Organizes and compares various aspects of a situation to identify key or underlying complex issues through quantitative data and analysis; leverages strong business acumen, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to think critically and seek ways to improve processes.
• Cross Functional Partnering & Planning: Facilitates collaboration, communication, coordination, and planning with individuals and teams from different functions to achieve common goals.
• Customer, Market & Ecosystem Knowledge: Understands market or customer-specific product use-cases, ecosystem dependencies, and competitor offerings; conducts or interprets competitive analysis of features with key competitive products.
• Financial Case Consultation & Resolution: Provides financial analysis and recommendations to resolve complex financial issues; reviews financial statements, tax returns, legal documents, calculates financial values and ratios, and interprets complex financial concepts and/or Northwestern Mutual products to guide underwriters, claims analysts, financial representatives and clients. This position is classified as a Registered Representative under NMIS guidelines and requires fingerprinting.

Pay

Compensation range: $89,360 – $154,200, depending on structure and location. Standard pay structures:

• Structure 110: $98,320 – $147,480
• Structure 115: $102,800 – $154,200

Final salaries are based on candidate skills and experience, market conditions, location and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. Geographic-specific pay structures may apply in eligible locations.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups