Investment Associate

Purpose

To help the 7IM Investment Directors (Intermediary) to service, manage and develop a panel of qualified existing and new IFAs and clients within your region who utilise the 7IM Discretionary / Retirement Income Services (RIS).

Responsibilities

Sales

• Assist Investment Directors (IDs) in preparation for new business meetings, conduct portfolio analysis and draw up investment proposals.
• Support IDs in the prospecting and sign-up of new IFA firms who want to use the 7IM Discretionary / RIS services.
• Support IDs in the prospecting and sign-up of new business from signed-up IFA firms.
• Support IDs in hitting their Discretionary / RIS gross new business, revenue and attrition targets.
• Experienced Investment Associates will oversee a defined panel of IFAs with discretionary clients, identifying ‘up or x-selling’ opportunities.

Service

• Undertake daily Investment Associate tasks, including cash reconciliations, investments, payments, withdrawals, fees, ‘ad hoc’ client & IFA queries.
• When experienced, become the first point of contact for client and IFA queries, and build relationships with both parties.
• Oversee the set-up and transfer of assets for new Discretionary / RIS clients, as well as the closing down process.
• Working with IDs, carry out portfolio restructuring & investment phasing work.
• Help IDs & IFAs prepare for annual client reviews, attending and contributing where relevant in order to gain experience. Prepare CRRs and supporting documentation as well as completing action points from client reviews.
• Assist Investment Directors with annual client CGT / ISA tax tasks.

Compliance & Conduct

• Assist Investment Directors with annual client suitability reviews and ensure they are kept up to date.
• Ensure all client activity is updated on CRM / Lynx efficiently.
• Undertake annual relevant T&C, including product training and tests.
• Adhere to the control environment, in particular the SMCR conduct rules.
• Attend and contribute to monthly regional meetings.
• Flag and report any business errors in a timely manner.
• In this role, it's essential that you consistently follow the FCA's Consumer Duty principles. You're expected to act in good faith, prevent potential harm, and actively support our customers in achieving their financial goals.

Skills

• Accuracy, thoroughness, and attention to detail in order to maintain the highest levels of service
• Systems learning skills to rapidly understand and use appropriate systems, including accurate inputting of detailed data across a number of different screens and software packages
• Written skills, in order to clearly, concisely and thoroughly present information to clients and wealth managers
• Numeracy skills in order to understand, process and check a range of data
• Telephone answering, rapport and relationship building skills in order to rapidly establish a high level of trust with the clients and wealth managers, to manage expectations, and to demonstrate a high level of ownership, competence, reliability and responsiveness
• Assertiveness and tenacity combined with diplomacy and sensitivity, to build and maintain good relationships with clients, wealth managers and colleagues across the company. The ability to ensure that necessary actions are taken to service clients, whilst maintaining positive relationships externally and internally
• Planning and organising skills to maximise operational efficiency and service, including prioritising appropriately
• Flexibility and innovation to handle and support changing (and sometimes conflicting) needs and demands, and continually to improve working practices
• Resilience in order to manage conflicting priorities and demands, ambiguity and demanding work loads
• Personal development focus, taking responsibility (with 7IM) for driving forward both personal and professional development in order to maximise effectiveness in this demanding role, and to grow in the role, and beyond

Knowledge

• Knowledge of discretionary investment management administration, including tax wrappers, would be advantageous
• Knowledge of Pershing systems and procedures would also be beneficial
• Knowledge of general office administration and Microsoft Office is preferable

Qualifications

• An industry relevant examination (such as to Level 4 CISI IAD level) is highly desirable.Support is provided by 7IM for those who are already part-qualified to complete the qualification.

Skills/Other relevant information

• Adhere and contribute to 7IMs Values, Purpose and Vision.