Financial Planning Associate

ROLE:
The role of the Financial Planning Associate is to support Financial Representatives in the growth of their individual practices, with an emphasis on those early on in their careers. As part of the Network Office Operations Team, the Financial Planning Associate will work with developing Financial Representatives to provide financial security to their clients through a comprehensive planning process that integrates risk and investment products. The Financial Planning Associate will help Financial Representatives increase productivity by providing planning, administrative, and operational support. This role reports to the Director of Planning Services.

RESPONSIBILITIES (included but not limited to):

PLANNING, SALES, AND SERVICE SUPPORT
•Conduct weekly one-on-one meetings with supported Financial Representatives.
•Deliver financial plans and product illustrations aligned with the planning best practices and assumptions in accordance with the Network Office and Home Office standards.
•Prepare materials and information supported Financial Representatives need to support the application, underwriting, and investment client onboarding processes.
•Manage the application and underwriting process, including:
oPre-filling applications
oPre-checking applications for completeness and accuracy
oSubmitting applications
oScheduling requirements and medical exams
oMonitoring of the Daily Status Report (DSR) and acting on cases needing attention
•Process service requests such as name and address changes, beneficiary changes, updates to Insurance Service Accounts to facilitate the collection of payments, etc.
•Open and/or fund investment accounts for supported Financial Representatives.
•Process physical investment checks for Financial Representatives within the Network Office.
•Complete investment service requests such as funds disbursements, account transfers, and trade correction requests supported Financial Representatives.

NETWORK OFFICE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
•Promote, utilize, and reinforce a planning culture aligned to Northwestern Mutual’s planning philosophy and best practices.
•Track and measure work received and completed for supported Financial Representatives.
•Provide adequate training for supported Financial Representatives on how to engage well with the Planning Team.
•Aid supported Financial Representatives in troubleshooting problems while working/partnering with Planning Team.
•Communicate regularly with Development and Supervision teams to disseminate and gather information for the betterment of supported Financial Representatives.
•Fill in as needed to support the daily responsibilities and special projects within the Operations Team.
•Recommend and implement efficiencies in daily operations to enhance quality of work and productivity.
•Partner with the Director of Planning Services and other Planning Team members to inform services offered by the Planning Team.

MARKETING
•Ensure supported Financial Representatives have updated biographies and headshots following training.
•Introduce supported Financial Representatives to email marketing campaigns.
•Advise supported Financial Representatives on how to use social media through compliant systems.
•Monitor supported Financial Representatives websites to ensure current campaigns and Network Office events are uploaded in a timely manner.
•Order business cards and e-letterhead for supported Financial Representatives.
•Initiate and create feed lists for supported Financial Representatives.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required
•1+ year of client/customer service experience required.
•1+ year of administrative experience required.
•Financial planning experience preferred.
•High attention to detail, accuracy, and reliability.
•Ability to prioritize and execute a variety of tasks on a weekly basis.
•Clear, effective, and diplomatic written and verbal communication skills.
•Able to work both independently and as part of a team.
•Committed to ongoing professional development (e.g., licensing, registration, designations)
oLife, Accident, & Health Insurance licenses secured within the first 60 days of employment.
oSIE secured within the first 6 months of employment.
oSeries 6 and Series 63 or Series 7 and Series 63 within the first 9 months of employment.
•Must align with the company’s values: Excellence, Integrity, Commitment, Courage, and Fun.

BENEFITS
•Health insurance
•Dental insurance
•Vision insurance
•HSA Contributions
•401K with employer match
•Paid Time Off (PTO)
•Sick Leave
•Parental leave
•Life insurance
•Short term disability insurance
•Long term disability insurance
•Professional development stipends