Field Shared Services Wealth Ops Specialist

Overview

This position will require 3 days onsite at the downtown Milwaukee corporate office.

About the Job:
At Northwestern Mutual, our vision is to deliver financial security to help our clients live their best lives by choice. A key pillar of our vision and success is our strong, vibrant sales force. This role sits within the Field Function, which is at the forefront of working across the home office and sales force as one team to achieve the sales and growth objectives the company expects, while delivering the experience our distribution needs and deserves.

This role resides in Field Shared Services as part of the Wealth Operations team. Wealth Ops provides investment operational support to advisors and Network Office teams to help them open and fund new investment accounts. The incumbent will play an important role delivering services for investment client on-boarding (ICOB), a growing service. This provides an exciting opportunity to be part of the development and evolution of the Wealth Ops service offerings!

• Create investment proposals, generate new account paperwork, enter transfer requests and ACH/cash management instructions with high degree of accuracy.
• Track status of accounts in investment systems and contact contra-firms for transfer status.
• Apply critical thinking and good judgment to resolve requests or issues related to account transfers; determine when to elevate those requiring more advanced knowledge.
• Support the team in leading weekly calls with advisors subscribed to the services to give status updates or background information on in process work as well as work through best practices with advisors so that they can fully leverage our services.
• Recommend and implement improvements to standard work and/or work processes.
• Mentor less experienced staff in technologies and standard work.
• Perform final quality checks for peers and more junior staff.
• Use basic investment knowledge to provide flexibility on standard work.
• With guidance, understand and apply special instructions that are outside of standards.

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance or related field.
• Minimum of two years of financial services experience with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of NM investment products, markets, technologies & services.
• At least 1 year of experience with investment operations activities such as new account opening or transfers.
• FINRA SIE required
• FINRA Series 7 preferred or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to positively influence, work cooperatively, and negotiate with individuals in the department and the field to maintain maximum operational efficiency.
• Strong organizational and communication skills including ability to establish rapport.
• Strong analytical skills, problem solving, attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proven ability to make sound judgments and decisions when faced with ambiguous situations.
• Strong mentoring/coaching skills and the ability to lead development and training of junior team members.

Accountability: Holds self and their direct reports accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results, delivery, and execution. Determines objectives, sets priorities, delegates work to direct reports, and accepts responsibility for mistakes.

Attention to Detail: Focuses on specific details to spot and correct errors in advance of them being found and surpass quality expectations. Performs work with thorough proofreading for presentation, content, accuracy, and overall quality.

Financial Services Industry Acumen: Applies knowledge of both general and organization-specific financial theories and is up-to-date on the latest market movements. Demonstrates problem-solving skills that ensures business's financial stability, follows generally accepted accounting principles, regulations, and business ethics.

Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people inside and outside of the organization. Builds appropriate rapport, constructive and effective relationships. Uses diplomacy and tact and diffuses high-tension situations comfortably.

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