We are currently recruiting for a Financial Planning practice in Hove who are looking to recruit a Client Relationship Manager. This role does offer hybrid working.
Purpose
The Client Relationship Manager, reporting to the Regional Client Delivery Manager, will collaborate as part of a team to assist Advisers in all areas of client administration, ensuring exceptional client outcomes.
In coordination with Advisers, Paraplanners, and Client Service Administrators, the role will support the management of a client portfolios. Responsibilities include liaising with policy and platform providers, obtaining illustrations, processing new business applications, and tracking them through to completion.
The role is crucial in maintaining the Client/Adviser relationship, directly communicating with clients to keep them updated at each stage of the process and throughout their journey.
Key Responsibilities
Administration
1. Managing a portfolio of clients and maintaining accurate client records.
2. Preparing client files for meetings, including gathering relevant documentation and reports.
3. Handling client queries and ensuring timely responses, either directly or through co-ordination with Advisers.
4. Handling the submission and processing of new business applications for all types of financial products.
5. Liaising with product providers to ensure applications are processed efficiently and following up to track their progress.
6. Ensuring all compliance requirements are met before submission, such as Know Your Client (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks.
7. Maintaining and updating the firms back-office systems with client details, transactions, and investment updates.
8. Ensuring the integrity and security of client data.
Suitability and Document Preparation
9. Preparing illustrations and basic suitability reports for clients based on financial advisers’ recommendations.
10. Ensuring that client documentation is completed and submitted accurately
11. Updating client portfolios with changes in investments or policies ensuring the CRM system reflects the changes.
12. Working closely with paraplanners to support the preparation of detailed financial plans and advice documents.
13. Assisting in research and data collection for product recommendations or investment strategies.
Team Leadership and Mentorship
14. Providing guidance and support to Client Service Administrators, ensuring their work meets quality and compliance standards.
15. Assisting with training new staff and acting as a point of escalation for complex cases.
Client Communications and Relationship Management
16. Regularly communicating with clients to update them on the status of their applications or portfolios.
17. Ensuring that client review meetings have been organised and scheduled and follow-ups and actions are completed.
18. Building and maintaining relationships with product providers, platforms, and insurers.
19. Coordinating with solicitors, accountants, and other third-party professionals on behalf of clients, where necessary.
Key Competencies & Characteristics
20. Attention to detail
21. Organisational skills
22. Strong communication skills
23. Regulatory knowledge and compliance awareness
24. Client-centric approach
25. Problem-solving and initiative
26. Technical proficiency
27. Team leadership and collaboration
28. Time management and ability to work under pressure
29. Adaptability and flexibility
30. Ethics and integrity
31. Numerical and analytical skills
32. Relationship management skills
33. Self-motivator
34. Ability to maintain a calm, objective and inclusive stance when dealing with people issues
35. An ability to drive a positive working culture within the physical office and remote working environment
Experience
36. Previous IFA or Financial Services experience
37. Good knowledge of financial products, services and liaising with financial Providers
38. Experience of new business processing, submitting proposals to tracking them to completion
39. Good knowledge of compliance and regulatory procedures, document handling and data security
40. Client relationship management
41. Confidently use a back-office/CRM system
42. Team leadership or mentorship exposure
43. Experience in managing a client portfolio
44. Problem solving and workflow optimisation