Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: Houston Galleria Market

About the role

Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. One of the largest businesses of its kind in the world, Merrill specializes 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. Trust comes from transparency: advisory teams have access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America. Merrill is committed to an in-office culture with specific requirements for office-based attendance, allowing appropriate flexibility based on role-specific considerations.

The Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals excited to make a career transition and follow their passion of becoming a Financial Advisor. As a Merrill Advisor Development Program – Financial Advisor, you will work 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. You'll also collaborate with and be mentored by Merrill Financial Advisor Teams to build upon your experience and promote portfolio growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop a book of business to meet and exceed established performance hurdles
• Effectively prioritize sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to appropriate internal specialists, and executing highly customized solutions
• Recommend investment products and services suitable for prospects based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences
• Balance investment growth, referral activities, customer follow-up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal growth and development (day-to-day and longer-term planning)
• Organize and manage resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice
• Seek the expertise of specialists, where appropriate, to identify planning and investment strategies for a client
• Complete mandated training, assessments, performance goals, and continuing education requirements
• 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 of investment products and services suitable for prospects and clients based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences, as well as servicing client accounts
• Document all client interactions and opportunities within Salesforce accurately

Qualifications

Required

• Currently holds Series 7 & 66 (or Series 63 & 65 in lieu of 66) licenses
• Minimum one year experience working in the financial services industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded
• Minimum 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 communication skills (written and verbal) with proven ability to quickly build trust and credibility
• Proven ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions/interventions
• Proven ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key partners
• Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding
• Goal- and results-oriented
• Entrepreneurial mindset with 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/technical literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel

Desired

• Bachelor's degree and/or a minimum of one year of financial services industry or sales experience
• Learns and adapts to new technology or applications
• Executes 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

Schedule

1st shift (United States of America), 40 hours per week.

Additional requirements

This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act, all employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. You will be required to register and 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.