Merrill Wealth Management Client Associate

Job Description

Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. It 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. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams have access to the investment insights of Merrill and 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 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 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.

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

Role Overview

The Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program (WMCA - ADP) is an entry role into the Advisor Development Program, with the destination of 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, with dedicated study time for the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7, and Series 66 Exams. Your SIE, Series 7, and 66 must be obtained within 120 days (63 & 65 accepted in lieu of 66 if previously held). Once licensed, you will be taught the foundational skills needed for the role.

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 for all service needs of their clients and acting as a resource for FAs on the team.

Once you reach key milestones, including proficiency in your current role and completion of experiential activities, you will progress into the next stage of the Advisor Development Program, beginning to build a book of business as a Financial Advisor trainee. You will complete dedicated training and then work in a Merrill office, acquiring, building, and managing client relationships while guiding clients with advice and solutions.

After completing performance requirements as a Financial Advisor trainee, you will reach the ultimate destination of becoming a Merrill Financial Advisor, supported by dedicated programs, tools, and resources throughout your career journey.

Advisor Development Program Progressive Roles

• Developing a book of business to meet and exceed established performance hurdles
• Effectively prioritizing and sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to appropriate internal specialists, and executing highly customized solutions
• Recommending investment products and services 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 according to day-to-day and longer-term planning
• Organizing and managing resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice
• Seeking the expertise of specialists to identify planning and investment strategies for clients
• 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 onboarding programs
• Get training and one-on-one coaching from our award-winning Academy at Bank of America and local leadership
• Grow your business knowledge 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 financial goals
• Collaborate with core banking and investment partners to connect to all solutions through Bank of America and Merrill

Required Qualifications

• Displays confidence working as a self-starter in a sales role
• Builds strong client relationships through effective communication and collaboration
• Displays a proactive mindset and effective time management
• Demonstrates a results-driven growth mindset and prioritizes client interests
• Identifies appropriate client solutions through application of learnings and new information
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
• Proven ability to quickly build trust and credibility
• Proven ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions
• Proven ability to work collaboratively on a team and independently
• Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding
• Entrepreneurial mindset with proven ability to source clients through prospecting and networking
• Strong follow-through skills
• Computer/technical literacy and proficiency in applications such as Microsoft Suite

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or a minimum of one year of work experience
• Learns and adapts to new technology or applications
• Executes multiple tasks simultaneously

Job Responsibilities

• Partners with Financial Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision Managers on all aspects of client servicing, risk, investments, and banking products, while receiving guidance and escalating issues as needed
• Provides excellent client service by educating clients on all service and banking offerings
• Ensures timeliness, accuracy, and completeness in client materials and follows up on all client and FA requests
• Assists with ensuring practices align with bank policies and procedures to support operational excellence, protect clients, and manage risk
• Identifies, deepens, and maintains client relationships by emphasizing bank offerings and promoting incorporation of banking into day-to-day practices
• Performs general business growth support functions aligned to the role, providing business development, investment solutions, and/or business management support to multiple FAs

Skills

• Account Management
• Client Management
• Customer and Client Focus
• Issue Management
• Oral Communications
• Business Development
• Client Solutions Advisory
• Pipeline Management
• Prioritization
• Trade Operations Management
• Administrative Services
• Client Investments Management
• Emotional Intelligence
• Referral Identification
• Written Communications

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

This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. All employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in immediate termination.