Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: Chicago West Market

Advisor Development Program – Financial Advisor The Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals excited to make a career transition and follow their passion of becoming a Financial Advisor. Responsibilities Develop a book of business to meet and exceed established performance hurdles. Prioritize sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, and referring customers to the appropriate internal specialists. Recommend investment products and services suitable for prospects based on 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. Organize and manage resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice. Seek expertise of specialists when 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, collecting client profile data, and opening accounts per KYC procedures when appropriate. Document all client interactions and opportunities within Salesforce accurately. Required Qualifications Series 7 and Series 66 (or 63 & 65 in lieu of 66) licenses. Minimum one year of experience in the financial service industry or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded. Minimum one year of experience in the investments industry with in‑depth knowledge of investment products and services. Proven ability to engage with and influence others. Exceptional interpersonal and relationship‑building skills. Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to quickly build trust and credibility. Ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions. Collaborative teamwork skills and partnership with key stakeholders. Strong follow‑through and communication competence. Experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Desired Qualifications Bachelor's degree or equivalent financial services or sales experience. Entrepreneurial mindset and proven ability to source clients through prospecting and networking. Adaptability to new technologies or applications. Ability to execute multiple tasks simultaneously. Business acumen and analytical thinking. Wealth planning and portfolio analysis skills. Client experience and advisory capabilities. Emotional intelligence and referral management. Trading knowledge not required but beneficial. Additional Information Position may require SAFE Act registration and background check; failure to obtain and maintain registration may result in immediate termination. Pay range: $80,000.00 – $90,000.00 annualized salary, plus a formulaic incentive plan based on performance metrics. Benefits include industry‑leading paid time off, wellness resources, and support for physical, emotional, and financial well‑being. #J-18808-Ljbffr