Wealth Management Specialist

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.

Internal employees who are currently working from home are still eligible to apply. However, if selected for the role, you may be required to work onsite in accordance with the workplace excellence policy.

Job Description:

This EGP Trainee is a training program to develop and prepare candidates to further develop and service the FA Teams client base. The Trainee role allows EGP Specialist to become fully license and require the appropriate designations before taking on the full EGP Specialist role. This position operates in a marketing and sales development role by implementing and executing the Elite Growth Practice. Specific accountabilities for the role may vary depending on the team’s practice. Performance is measured by the FA or FA team through specific goals, metrics, and behaviors related to the execution of the EGP model. Core Responsibilities: Develop and service client segments and the next generation and their next generations and beneficiaries. Gather additional assets from existing client base and deepen relationships by partnering with all Merrill partners to deliver a full breadth solutions. Coordinate technological support through the development of portfolio analysis, proposals and direct mail campaigns utilizing Salesforce and other tools and resources. Provide technical expertise in certain product areas (e.g. Corporate 401(k), Rule 144, Insurance, Wealth Management Workstation) Provide marketing and organizational support. 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 your 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 disciplinary action up to and including termination. Role is designed to allow employees to study and obtain all required registrations.

The Elite Growth Practice (EGP) Senior Business Manager position may be filled at a Trainee, Specialist or Senior level depending on experience of the candidate and needs of the Financial Advisor Team.  The Trainee is a non-exempt position for a hire lacking required security licenses and/or designation.  This position allows the individual to become fully licensed and achieve the appropriate designations required for the position.  If Series 7 and 66 (or 63 & 65) licenses and approved designation are not currently held, must be obtained within a specified timeframe to be eligible for Specialist position.

Senior Business Managers are key contributors to Financial Advisor teams in creating strategy and ensuring execution related to multiple metrics and priorities across the team’s business plan and goal deliverables. They develop and manages the team’s business plan and practice financials. They manage and drive complex financial related initiatives including pricing strategy and profitability compared to revenue and time capacity. Senior Business Managers interface with market and division leaders to ensure team strategy and initiatives support overall division market strategies and goals. They track progress with quantifiable business and activity goals and ensure team daily activities align with practice metrics, goals, and objectives. They manage diverse administrative functions including: personnel processes and performance monitoring and coordination of team assignments; projects and key initiatives; and overall team client service strategy. The role requires a thorough knowledge of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management business functional area and products, and requires a working knowledge of general bank policies, programs and procedures, and financial/accounting practices.

Role Responsibilities

• Create a business plan that translates practice vision into goals and regularly monitor and update as needed
• Provide leadership around team structure to deliver on the team's vision, goals, and business plan
• Establish and align practice operations to strategic vision
• Conduct team meetings to drive business plan execution
• Establish a pricing strategy aligned to the team's vision and ensures profitability of practice
• Define and communicate clear team roles and responsibilities
• Serve as a main point of contact, in partnership with office management team and HR/supervision, for HR, comp, operations and compliance related issues
• Coordinate work assignments across team to ensure completion
• Own the overall body of work for the team, delegating work assignments, monitoring for quality and completion and managing junior team members asneeded
• Oversee execution of client service strategy and client review processes
• Serve as decision maker and team leader when senior advisors are unavailable
• Identify areas of opportunity to leverage specialists to maximize the team's capabilities in delivering the optimal client experience
• Establish budget and manage expenses regularly to include Business Development Account(BDA)
• Manage team compensation and incentives, including FA pools and splits as well as support staff compensation
• Lead the sourcing, assessing, hiring, and onboarding of new talent; and the off boarding of transitioning talent
• Regularly evaluate financial "health" of practice and work with equity partners to discuss any changes

Role Requirements

• Either Series 7 and 66 licenses or Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses; must obtain all state registrations held by the Financial Advisor(s) and Advisor Team(s) they support SAFE ACT Registration
• Individuals in this role are required to maintain a Form ADV -2B, which provides clients details on individuals experience and educational background, along with other requirements governed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
• MBA preferred or obtain and/or maintain at least one firm approved designation
• Strong leadership abilities, communication and delegation skills
• Understanding of how to deliver a strong overall client experience
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the suite of Wealth Management products and services
• Proven ability to manage risk and make sound decisions by having a deep understanding of industry regulations, supervisory requirements, and policies/procedures
• Ability to identify client needs and concerns, and articulate appropriate approach to align solutions to goals in a suitable and controlled way
• Strong analytical skills with ability to identify trends, root cause and effects, and implement improved processes to increase growth and mitigate risk
• Ability to influence and demonstrate strong and effective leadership through clear communication and collaboration with other partners to make sound decisions with courage and conviction; demonstrated ability to influence to the desired outcome, without direct authority
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience performing specialist/analyst level responsibilities or equivalent industry experience

Minimum Education Requirement: High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent

Shift:

1st shift (United States of America)

Hours Per Week: 

37.5

Pay Transparency details

US - IL - Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr - Bank Of America Tower Chicago (IL4110)

Pay and benefits information

Pay range

$30.00 - $45.00 hourly pay, offers to be determined based on experience, education and skill set.

Formulaic incentive eligible

This role is eligible to participate in a formulaic incentive plan. Employees are eligible for incentives as detailed by the specific line of business incentive plan provisions. Formulaic plans may be comprised of monthly, quarterly and/or annual incentive opportunities. Incentives are earned based on the employee’s performance against defined metrics.

Benefits

This role is currently benefits eligible. We provide industry-leading benefits, access to paid time off, resources and support to our employees so they can make a genuine impact and contribute to the sustainable growth of our business and the communities we serve.