Paraplanner - THE OPENWORK PARTNERSHIP : Job Details

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!