Practice Support Associate - South Central Advisor Group

Organization/Business Overview:
The sponsoring financial advisor is an independent financial services practice of Thrivent Financial. We take a broad-based approach to helping our members achieve multiple financial goals. The sponsoring financial advisor helps our members analyze their current situation, develop in-depth financial programs, and help them implement an integrated financial strategy.


Thrivent is a membership-owned fraternal organization, as well as a holistic financial services organization, dedicated to serving the unique needs of our clients. As the nation's largest fraternal benefit society, we're here solely to help others. We help every day through the financial solutions we offer, the member activities we support, and the resources we provide to the Lutheran community and nonprofit organizations. Thrivent Investment Management Inc. is a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.


Position summary:
This position provides administrative support to the sponsoring financial advisor. This position serves as a resource to Financial Professionals and client/members in handling, researching and communicating inquiries regarding their accounts and supports the daily operations of the practice, including, but not limited to: answering the phones, meeting/greeting members, handling/distributing postal mail and practice email, ordering supplies, utilizing Thrivent Financial computer systems and programs in support of client relations, supports securities and insurance related tasks and other administrative tasks as assigned. The Practice Support Associate reports to and is employed by the sponsoring financial advisor.

Position Roles/Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• Research inquiries regarding client accounts
• Provides fund values and answers other securities (including, if appropriately licensed, variable insurance and annuities) product-related questions and/or questions related to investment advisory services
• Performs routine administrative duties such as maintaining office supplies and processing mail
• Handles incoming telephone calls to the sponsoring financial advisor and responds to requests for information
• Prepares or coordinates the preparation of routine correspondence, reports, and special projects typically of a routine nature
• Supports projects, administration of various programs, and processing functions as needed
• Drives client/member facing activity in the practice by scheduling meetings with client/members on behalf of the practice’s Financial Representatives
• Updates the contact management system with client/member contact and preference information
• Assists Financial advisors in the preparation and follow up for the client/member meetings
• Collaborates with financial associates to assist client with product changes
• Participates and drives marketing services including direct-mail, fraternal activities, seminars, meetings
• Verbal or written communications with prospective or existing customers regarding financial matters
• Conducting substantive research or information gathering that will be used with making securities product recommendations or providing investment advice (e.g. conducting due diligence, etc.)
• Obtaining customer financial information
• Accepting and/or entering securities trade orders from customers, including unsolicited trade orders (if properly licensed)
• Explain, discuss or interpret insurance coverage; analyze exposures or contracts
• Indicate to customer that requested coverage is or will be bound or issued
• Issue certificates of insurance, endorsements, binders, commitments, or insurance contracts
• Support questions and transactions with variable insurance and annuities products, if appropriately licensed
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned in accordance with licensure and business needs
• Manually enter information provided by the financial advisor into electronic application systems and email, lock sign or submit.
• Note CAN NOT be listed as the servicing representative AND need to note their FR is selling agent within the rep questionnaire.

Position Qualifications

• Practice Support Associates can be fully licensed, securities licensed, or insurance licensed. Depending on role, the practice support associate must be:
  • Securities registered (series 7 & 66 or 6 & 63) or be willing to do so within 120 days of hire/contract.
  • Appropriately insurance licensed/appointed for sale of all life/health and variable products
    
    
• Must be insurance licensed/appointed
• Must be securities registered and insurance licensed/appointed in all states in which they are performing activities requiring licensing and registration.
• Must be willing to complete the appropriate Long-Term Care training required in the states in which support work would be conducted.
• If work on variable insurance or annuities is conducted, must be appropriately licensed/appointed and registered for variable products.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation/experience, 2+ years preferred
• Strong technical computer aptitude and knowledge of business tools (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or ability to learn
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and maintain a high quality of work while experiencing frequent interruptions
• Ability to maintain integrity of sensitive/confidential information
• Basic understanding of the sponsoring financial advisor. Our products and services, and Thrivent Financial
• Previous administrative/secretarial experience desired

Competencies

• Planning/Organizing
• Customer Focus
• Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Adaptability/Flexibility

External/Internal Dependencies

• Must be able to work with all roles of the sponsoring financial advisor
• Must be able to represent the organization in work with external clients
• Must be able to cultivate and maintain relationships with outside organizations

As part of South Central Advisor Group recruiting/hiring/contracting process, a verification of a candidate's background will be made to complete the process. Fingerprints will be required as part of FINRA registration process a for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for review against nationwide fingerprint records.

All persons with securities registrations are subject to TIMI’s Outside Securities Accounts Policy which requires all outside brokerage accounts to be maintained at one of the firms designated by TIMI

Thrivent provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. This policy applies to all employees and job applicants.

Thrivent is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected] or call 800-847-4836 and request Human Resources.