Client Development Manager / Relationship Manager

The Company:

Merit is a fast growing, pioneering financial services firm that invests heavily in the growth and development of team members. Merit seeks to establish, educate, and help individuals reach their financial goals as they transition into and experience retirement. With an unswerving commitment to excellence and reliability, Merit provides objective financial advice and believes in establishing long-lasting relationships. By offering an array of services, clients can receive tailored solutions that promote growth and help them achieve financial goals.

Merit believes in addressing the retirement challenges in America by helping clients reach financial freedom and confidence to the working population and retirees alike. This focus on comprehensive financial wellness enables us to deliver the ultimate client experience.

Headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, with 18 locations across the country, Merit balances tactical advice with innovative strategy. Our 130 hardworking employees are leaders rooted in humility and we are poised to grow. Merit is a multi-generational firm with a foundation built around servant leadership and total team leadership. We have been recognized as a “Best Places to Work” by InvestmentNews and have made the fastest growing companies list in both INC 5000 and Georgia’s Fastest 40. As we expand and work to bring our relationship-driven approach to the financial industry, we are looking for the right individuals to join our team.

The Position:

This individual will work with inbound portfolio based lending leads to educate prospective clients on various programs and help facilitate them to become clients, build relationships with existing self-directed clients and upsell our wealth management services division with the goal of transitioning clients from self-managed clientele to an advisory relationship with our wealth management division, and work with existing clientele to help with inbound service-related questions and requests.

Responsibilities:

• Follow up with inbound leads educating them on their options and selling them on our programs.

• Create relationships with existing clients and upsell our self-managed clientele to advisory based wealth management services.

• Work with clients on inbound service requests or questions related to trading and margin related information.

• Prepare for and attend client meetings with advisors.

• Obtain all necessary information to build and present financial plans to clients.

• Facilitate client on-boarding and intake meetings/discussions.

• Proactively identify, analyze, and implement opportunities for customer contact with the goal of improving the customer’s current financial position and simultaneously building and nurturing the existing customer relationships.

• Review the impact and potential opportunities related to changes in policy, tax laws, financial industry regulations, etc.

• Investigate and resolve various administrative matters impacting the client’s overall situation, to include: abandoned property issues, cost basis determination, account and transaction history as needed, identification of fees assessed, resolution of corporate actions, and any other activity or issue needing attention.

• Perform necessary client transactions upon request. Research and resolve client inquiries, return all client calls, and ensure client satisfaction at all times.

• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality and discretion in all client dealings.

• Assist the team in other areas of need.

• (As this role evolves, it will grow and change to include other responsibilities not listed above.)

Requirements:

• A minimum of 2 to 3 years of experience in the financial services industry and 3-5 years of front office experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Finance preferred

• Series 7, Series 66 (or 63 and 65), insurance licenses (must be obtained within the first year of employment)

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Outstanding teamwork and time management skills

• Proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Salesforce.

• Experience with financial planning software, a plus.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to instill comfort and confidence in a prospect or client, given any situation.

• Ability to organize, prioritize and handle multiple tasks.

• Energetic, outgoing personality while interacting with guests and team members.

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Salary Benefits:

• Competitive, based on experience

• Medical Insurance

• Dental/Vision Insurance

• Life & Personal Accident Insurance

• Short-term Disability Insurance

• Long-term Disability Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA) or Dependent Care FSA

• 401(k) Plan with company matching

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays

Best Places To Work for Financial Advisors 2018-2022: Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 – Recognized firms were required to be a registered investment advisor (RIA) that has been in business at least one year and having a minimum of 15 full-time/part-time employees. The assessment consisted of a questionnaire on benefits and policies completed by human resources staff along with an engagement & satisfaction survey completed by a minimum of 40% of staff. 50 firms were selected for this award from an undisclosed list of submissions. There was no charge to be included in this award listing.

Georgia Fast 40 2019 and 2022: The Georgia Fast 40 for 2019 and 2022 was awarded by the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. To be eligible companies must be for profit and headquartered in Georgia and the most recent year-end revenues ranging from $15 million to $500 million and have three years of verifiable revenue and employment growth.

Inc 5000 2019, 2020 & 2021: The Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index, which consists of more than 5000 companies, represents virtually all of the capitalization of the entire U.S. stock market.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Physical setting:

• Office

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• working in financial industries: 2 years (Preferred)
• front office: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: One location