IFA Paraplanning Team Manager

IFA Paraplanning Team Manager

About Berkshire IFA

Berkshire IFA specialises in the financial well being of our clients. We specialise in pensions and family wealth planning. Our mission is to give all our client's financial security by offering the very highest levels of service and focusing on delivering the very best client outcomes.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an IFA Paraplanning Team Manager who has gained their experience while working in an IFA support team. This role will include all-encompassing aspects of people management, including mentoring, support, training, and recruitment within the team. You will be responsible for managing a team of paraplanners to deliver an exceptional level of service to both our financial planners and clients. The role is incredibly varied and demanding, you will require a high level of organisation and strong management and communication skills. We are determined to ensure our clients receive exemplary client service and it is vital that the function puts the client first in all aspects of its day-to-day duties.

The Remit Includes

• People Management - manage a team of 4 (growing to 6), act as an inspirational manager, motivating and inspiring teams as well as managing performance when necessary, so it meets the expectations of the business.
• Recruitment - recruitment of paraplanning team when required.
• Management of Workflow - manage the day-to-day work of the team.
• Learning & Development - Monitoring of the team’s T&C plans, using the appropriate tools to identifying training needs and delivering training as required.
• Process Improvement - work with the Client Servicing Director to improve efficiencies within the team.
• MI - working with the Client Servicing Director to development of KPI’s for monitoring staff case load and performance and ensuring adherence to policy and process.
• Attending management meetings and team meetings as required.

The Candidate

The successful candidate may already be a successful IFA Paraplanning Manager or an experienced Paraplanner who is looking for their next move into management, with a well-established Financial Service firm. This candidate should be able to demonstrate their experience in training and coaching other team members. This candidate will aspire to use their own knowledge and experience to help deliver the highest level of service to our clients.

The Job Description

Your role will be managing the IFA Paraplanning Team in all aspects of the advice process:

• Responsible for directly managing the Paraplanning Team
• Manage the day-to-day workload of the team.
• Ensuring all tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Prioritise work queues and meet deadlines.
• Monitor team workflows ensuring there is clear oversight over individual capacity and performance.
• Providing peer checking as appropriate.
• Work with financial planners, administration team and the client servicing director to prioritise and meet the needs of the business and clients. deal with any escalations in a timely and efficient manner.

Complete Recommendation Reports:

• Analyse clients’ financial needs and goals, to develop lifetime planning strategies and to proactively provide an ongoing advice service to our clients.
• Attend meetings with clients alongside advisers when required.
• Carry out product and fund research using research tools.
• Prepare cash flow modelling and pension income drawdown forecasts.
• Prepare illustrations, recommendation reports and client correspondence to target deadlines.
• Ensure all client work is compliant and supported with relevant paperwork. •

Complete 121 reviews:

• Provide new joiners a comprehensive induction and monitor/record the ongoing training requirements of the paraplanning team.
• Identify strengths and areas of development within the team and organise structured training to improve knowledge base and skills within the team.
• Encourage and support personal development, professional exams and progression within the support and wider teams as appropriate.
• Providing objective and constructive feedback to staff that enables them to develop, dealing promptly and fairly with performance.
• Monitoring the work of staff to minimise error rates and promote a "right first time", quality assured service. Coaching the team to help get the best performance from the individuals and the team.

Leadership:

Work with the Client Servicing Director to:

• Create and maintain all Suitability and letter templates are kept up to date.
• Run regular team meetings.
• Act as an inspirational manager, able to mentor and motivate teams so they provide an excellent service to both clients and planners.
• Plan and manage Tax Year End
• Ensure business processes and policies are adhered throughout the office.
• Ensure operational governanance and adherence to FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) rules as defined in the firm's compliance procedures.
• Deliver process improvements.

Skills required:

• Diploma Level 4 qualifications.
• Proven experience within a Financial Advice environment (preferably independent).
• Ability to motivate and coach teams to perform at a high level.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience using a range of Provider websites, including illustrations and New Business processing.
• Fully competent in desktop applications (proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook).

Skills Desirable:

• Continuation to Chartered or equivalent qualifications are highly desirable.
• Familiarity with all the major providers such as Transact, L&G, Aegon, Standard Life, Aviva and Prudential - to name a few.
• Experience with increasing business production efficiency and managing a team to increase output