Paraplanner

Job Title: Paraplanner

Job Type: Full-time

Location: Reading (Caversham)

Salary: Between £30,000- £35,000 depending on experience

Job Description:

We’re seeking an experienced Paraplanner to join our friendly and supportive team. In this role, you’ll play a vital part in assisting our employed Advisors. Your expertise in paraplanning is essential for success. This position will initially be fully remote, transitioning to a hybrid model in Spring 2025, with the opportunity to work in our newly refurbished office in Reading. You will be responsible for carrying out high quality research on a full range of financial planning products in line with company’s advice process and compliance framework and drafting detailed reports supporting specific product recommendations.

A strong working knowledge of pre and post-retirement planning (including pension transfers), investments and taxation is key to this role.

Responsibilities:

  • Conducting high quality research on a full range of financial planning products
  • Drafting detailed reports to support specific product recommendations
  • Liaising with product providers and staying updated on new products and developments
  • Ensuring compliance with the company’s advice process and framework
  • Collaborating effectively with the centralised team and advisors
  • Obtaining information on a client’s existing financial arrangements and conducting a gap analysis
  • Producing a suitability report and making high level recommendations in line with the clients’ objectives where required
  • Researching the market in line with guidelines from the Adviser, using the client’s circumstances and objectives for product and service solutions and preparing personalised high-quality reports that are clear and written in plain English, including any compliance requirements
  • Communication with the relevant Adviser throughout this process is of paramount importance.

Experience and Qualifications:

  • Previous experience in paraplanning is essential; knowledge of retail investment products and platforms is a must
  • Strong organisational and prioritising skills, with the ability to work under pressure
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to influence at all levels
  • Highly numerate and analytical, with self-motivation and initiative
  • Team player with a solutions-oriented mindset
  • Ability to think outside the box
  • Strong PC skills with good knowledge of Office 365 including Word, Excel and Outlook
  • Ability to balance commercial needs with compliance requirements.

Desirable:

  • Working towards or achievement of Paraplanning qualification and/or Level 4 Diploma
  • Knowledge of research tools & software (e.g. cashflow models and FEAnalytics)
  • Knowledge in other areas such as protection, IHT planning and structured products
  • Understanding of industry initiatives including Consumer Duty & TCF
  • Able to assist with training and coaching of junior members of staff
  • Desire to maintain knowledge of industry development
  • Able to identify process improvements.

Key Skills and Personal Attributes:

  • A positive, friendly, service orientated person with a "cando" attitude who is aware of the important role played by advisers in providing financial advice
  • Honesty, integrity and ability to maintain confidence and confidentiality are key attributes. Hard working and responsive to the need to deliver a high-quality support
  • You must have the ability to balance commercial needs with compliance requirements and be able to identify sales opportunities or flag any concerns.

Benefits:

  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Supportive team environment
  • Company pension scheme
  • Company events.

If you’re ready to make a real impact in a dynamic team, we’d love to hear from you!

THE OPENWORK PARTNERSHIP £30,000 - £35,000 per annum, negotiable Caversham