FINANCIAL AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT ADVISOR CAREER TRACK
**ONLY ACCEPTING APPLICANTS FROM FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT AND SURROUNDING AREAS - NO MANHATTAN, NJ, OR OUTSIDE THE TRI-STATE AREA**
OVERVIEW:
The Northwestern Mutual National Training Program (NTP) is an award-winning accelerated training program designed to prepare individuals for a successful career as a Financial/Wealth Management Advisor. By the end of this rigorous program, participants are ready to join our team of elite FAs and WMAs. Before applying, it's essential to evaluate if this career path aligns with your personal goals and attributes.
ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS
To thrive as an FA/WMA, you must possess the right combination of personal attributes:
- Drive: This career demands self-motivation and discipline. Your income and success depend on your ability to remain focused, organized, and driven in a competitive environment.
- Hunger: Success in this field requires a relentless desire to excel. You'll face challenges and slow periods, and your perseverance and determination will see you through.
- Accountability: Integrity and honesty are crucial. You must commit to providing your clients with the best possible advice, ensuring their trust and your own success.
- Grit: You need the resilience to handle rejection and the confidence to engage with clients, even in challenging situations.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Our FA/WMA Program offers intensive training, equipping you with state-of-the-art financial tools, techniques, and resources to build and manage a client base of your choosing (high-net worth, middle-income, etc.). Upon completion, you will be well-prepared to deliver personalized and comprehensive financial advice.
Becoming a Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual will allow you to:
- Help Clients Achieve Their Goals: Assist clients in reaching their financial aspirations, making a significant impact on their lives.
- Achieve Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility to manage your own business and work schedule.
- Build Meaningful Relationships: Listen to clients and develop strategies tailored to their individual needs.
- Grow Your Career: Expand your business and meet personal financial goals while building a sustainable practice.
DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE:
Training is just the first part of the career with NWM. Your development as an advisor will continue through the first three years of the career:
Pre-Production (Onboarding - Month 1):
- Pass the Life and Health Insurance License Exam for your state of residence.
- Work with our Director of Training and Development and your assigned mentor to build the foundation for your practice.
- Complete assigned curriculum and the National Training Program (NTP).
Production Year 1 (Months 2-12):
- Pass the Securities Industry Essential (SIE) Exam and obtain the Series 6 and Series 63 investment licenses (Series 7 and 66 available).
- Utilize NWM’s Joint Work System to build your book of business with the help of the best advisors in the state of CT, company, and industry.
- Participate in weekly coaching meetings.
- Build clientele and open account relationships.
Production Year 2:
- Cultivate and grow relationships with clients.
- Acquire trusted referrals and specialize towards your ideal client profile/niche market.
- Engage in regular meetings with your mentor and leadership.
- Attend accelerated leadership and growth development events at our corporate office.
Production Year 3 and further:
- Keep growing your client relationships while establishing a long-lasting practice based on meaningful, long-term client-advisor relationships.
- Hire staff, obtain your LLC, open your own office or ensemble with other advisors.
- Choose a specialization - estate planning, tax planning, wealth management, insurance, etc.
- Pursue further education towards designations like the CLU, ChFC, CFP, etc.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Complete proprietary training in finance, risk management, wealth planning, investment strategies, and products.
- Identify potential business opportunities and use client acquisition methods to build your book.
- Advise clients on wealth management strategies that align with their financial goals.
- Manage referral activities, follow up with clients, and handle administrative duties.
- Adhere to all regulatory requirements, including obtaining necessary licenses and registrations.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
We are open to upcoming college graduates, early and late-stage career-changers, and experienced financial professionals as long as they have:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, marketing, or related field OR
- Professional experience in business development, management, sales, legal, accounting, education, military, finance or other business-related fields.
- Outstanding communication, presentation, time-management, and organizational skills.
- Excellent networking abilities within both business and personal communities.
- Strong ability to understand client needs and offer appropriate financial solutions.
- Successful completion of background check and pre-employment assessments.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
HIRING PROCESS:
Our hiring process consists of five phases:
Phase 1:
- Submit an employment application, resume, and complete two online assessments.
Phase 2:
- Talent Acquisition screens application and assessment results, followed by a virtual first-round interview.
Phase 3:
- Face-to-face interviews with the local management team.
- Get acquainted with the leaders of the firm, all of whom have run or are currently running their own practices.
- Explore the career from a first-hand perspective and model yourself within the context of the career.
- Evaluate personal and professional fit.
Phase 4:
- Financial meeting to discuss candidate-specific income projection modeling year over year compensation expectations.
- Review benefits and retirement options.
- Evaluate financial feasibility of the career.
Phase 5:
- Leadership will determine if the offer will be extended and a short, final meeting will be held to finalize conversations.
- Candidate will be granted one week to consider the offer, if needed.
- If offer is accepted, onboarding will begin for the appropriate NTP start date.
COMPENSATION:
Wealth Management Advisors at Northwestern Mutual can earn significant income early in their careers. Our compensation structure includes a first-year financial runway and incentive opportunities, rewarding high performance and exceeding firm standards. The value proposition of the career’s income structure is in the longevity of the practice and the long-term client relationships through passive cumulative renewals and residuals every year.
WMAs Are Eligible for the Following Types of Compensation:
- First-year "build the business" runway.
- Revenue generated by production.
- Weekly activity compensation.
- Annual incentive bonuses.
- Business and financial support stipends.
- Annual passive renewal and residual income.
- Compensation model overview is discussed in Hiring Phase 2 and a personalized income projection is reviewed in Hiring Phase 4
FAQs
How do I apply?
- The application process includes two online assessments and 3-4 interviews.
Will I be paid for training?
- Yes, you will be compensated for completing pre- and post-training tasks during and after NTP.
Where can I work?
- Stamford, Westport, and Fairfield, CT
Is part-time work available?
- The program is offered only as a full-time position.
What training is provided?
- The program is run by our corporate offices in a virtual classroom/office setting, held in our Stamford, CT office.
- Local Forbes Best-in-State advisors will coach and lead various sessions.
What advancement opportunities are available?
- Opportunities for management roles, growing and scaling your business, and other positions within the organization.
Does Northwestern Mutual sponsor international work visas?
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without restriction.
- Applicants who are currently receiving sponsorship or will, in the future, require sponsorship, are ineligible to apply.
We look forward to guiding you on a path to a rewarding and impactful career as a Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Will you now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status, OPT, F1 Student Visa)?
Education:
Work Location: In person
