Financial Associate Jobs in Bethlehem, PA (NOW HIRING)

Job Overview

This position is responsible for assisting the Wealth Advisor in the development and support of the assigned Advisors prospective and existing customers.  Professional customer service skills required.  This position requires the ability to: lead branch initiatives, organize workflow, follow through on assigned tasks, to directly handle client questions, solve problems, work independently, and to take initiative when necessary.  All in a timely manner with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with diverse circumstances.  Self-motivation, leadership, and the ability to thrive in team atmosphere are very important in this position.

Responsibilities:

Direct Client Support

• Develops and cultivates effective relationships with newly referred prospects and existing members.
• Puts the needs of our members/clients first.
• Fields and responds to direct inquiries, either in person, electronically or via phone.
• Conducts appropriate discovery interviews with new referrals to understand each client’s financial circumstances, investment objectives and financial goals. Under the direction of the Wealth Advisor, determine most suitable client segmentation and appropriate recommendations based upon the client’s individual situation, goals, needs and objectives. 
• Focus on nurturing, growing and managing assigned client segment relationships by offering advice, making portfolio and other recommendations, including gauging client suitability and tolerance for risk. 
• Oversee the Financial Associate to ensure thorough research and resolution of operational issues, up to and including the appropriate resolution of any issues to customer, company and regulatory standards.
• Monitor the accuracy of the Financial Associates’ processing of client account transactions and requests.
• Always acts in a compliant and ethical manner in business and client interactions. Makes appropriate recommendations in accordance with broker dealer compliance policies and procedures. 
• Has and maintains a thorough understanding of the current market and of the Firm’s products and those of its strategic partners.
• Focuses on proactively uncovering, increasing and maintaining client assets and consolidating client accounts where appropriate. 
• Daily meetings with the Wealth Advisor for support and guidance.

Direct Team Support

• Generates leads through fostering a partnership with assigned branches, generating referrals, attending local seminars and trade shows, creating workplace partnerships, developing branch huddles, and making outbound calls to existing credit union/bank customers.
• Handles daily sales and branch needs while adhering to compliance and regulatory policies
• Fosters strong partner relationships with assigned Branch Managers and Assistant Branch Managers
• Schedules branch meetings in coordination with assigned team members and branch managers
• Works with assigned Vice President on joint cases that exceed assigned limits
• Organizes client information prior to appointments and/or prepares proposals
• Prepares and maintains required documents for new and existing member accounts
• Implements and maintains CRM system to office standards to enhance the efficiencies of the department operations
• Develops branch activities with other Associate Advisors, Vice Presidents, and Sales Assistants
• Provides additional support for our non-assigned advisors in other offices when needed as requested
• Assists in delivering marketing and referral initiatives for the branches
• Develops, coordinates, and delivers client or prospect events and advisor seminars and branch education efforts
• Administers all sales operations with a focus on prioritizing ever changing activities and responsibilities
• Recommends departmental or office procedural changes with a focus to prioritize for optimal customer experience taking into consideration peak efficiency and effectiveness
• Contacts financial partners for support of branch activities/rewards per regulatory guidelines
• Present a professional image in all interactions both personally and professionally.
• All other duties as assigned

Compliance and Regulation Requirements

• Responsible for all compliance procedures and information in a highly regulated environment per broker dealer policies. Comply with industry regulations and proactively stay current on changing regulations
• Participate and coordinate in all aspects of branch office internal and external audits
• Maintain all licensing continuing education
• Maintain all logs and files per broker dealer policies.
• Immediately report all customer complaints to Financial Institutions management and broker dealer compliance

Qualifications:

Education and Training

• High School diploma required. College degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of direct wealth management experience or 7 years experience with a Bank or Credit Union.
• Current Series 7, Series 63 and Health, Life, and Variable State Insurance licensing required, Series 65 licenses must be obtained within 90 days of hire date.  Other potential licenses may be required to support the Wealth Advisor’s business model.
• Clear CRD report with no reported incidents of concern.  Any incidents of record must be disclosed upon application for employment.  Failure to disclose can mean removal from consideration or termination of employment.
• Report any current or new outside business activities to the broker dealer
• Must have a solid knowledge, understanding, and interest and experience in the investment industry, including financial markets, personal investing, wealth management, equity, debt and insurance products, trusts, Power-of-Attorney and Estate processing, financial planning, etc.
• Ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of products, procedures, rules and regulations of various types of securities including mutual funds, annuities, equities, Advisory/managed accounts, REITS, ETFs, UITs and Qualified plans
• Successfully complete annual Firm Element and Continuing Education and other broker dealer or Bank/Credit Union training as required
• Proven experience with various technology and software platforms, including Redtail, Excel, Word, EMoney, Money Guide Pro
• Participate in broker dealer and financial partner conference calls, webinars and RegEd training opportunities to satisfy regulatory requirements
• Monitor trends in social media for the potential to expand business opportunities
• Attend training seminars to enhance professional expertise and personal development requirements

Mathematical Skills

• Must be able to accurately calculate and comprehend moderate to advanced mathematical financial figures and calculations such as discounts, interest, commissions, bps and percentages and other financial formulas.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrably strong customer service and problem resolution skills in person and electronically.  Consistent ability to utilize sound decision making skills consistent with Bank/Credit Union, Cetera and regulator policies in the absence of direct supervision.
• Superior human relationship skills 
• Ability to build relationships, provide superior customer service, recover from rejection, learn a complex business, and have the self-discipline to focus on activities that will drive results
• Ability to work effectively under deadlines and pressure. 
• Ability to adapt easily to change within a fast-growing department. 
• Self-motivated ability to work consistently, enthusiastically, and productively under minimal supervision. 
• Must be highly organized. 
• Must have excellent computer skills and the ability to adapt to new resources.   
• Ability to multi-task competing responsibilities.