Financial Planning Specialist

How will your role impact First Command?

The Financial Planning Advocate (FPA) will report directly to the Director, Financial Planning. The FPA performs a critical role as the primary SME and field-facing consultant on all aspects of the First Command Financial Planning experience. The FPA directly supports Financial Advisors (and support staff) with training, financial plan design and product strategy. This individual must maintain deep knowledge of the financial planning process, military and federal benefits, retirement plans, insurance and investment products, Social Security and Medicare benefits and eligibility, principles of estate planning, income taxation rules, tax considerations in all stages of financial planning, and a variety of product solutions. This individual must also develop and maintain expert understanding of all financial planning software tools in the Financial Planning experience, and work in conjunction with other members of the Financial Planning department to help advisors apply quality control measures to financial plans to achieve the expected standards for Plan Quality. This individual works closely with Field Force Training, Advisor Operations, field leadership, and other home office departments to advance the financial planning philosophy of the enterprise and promote coaching as the foundation of First Command’s client relationships.

What will you be doing?

• Travel to field offices for training delivery: 25-50% field travel as business needs dictate. Occasional travel to Home Office as business needs dictate.
• Assist in training advisors in multiple Client Engagement Processes and incorporate the value of financial planning.
• Provide guidance to advisors on complex financial planning situations.
• Coordinate and deliver training in live and virtual settings to individual and group audiences.
• Develop and foster effective relationships with field leaders, home office partners, advisors, and support staff.
• Maintain deep understanding of financial planning concepts, especially those relevant to the target market.
• Develop and maintain deep expertise on financial planning software tools and provide training on those tools.
• Contribute to the development of the financial planning philosophy.
• Set strategic priorities for the development of training resources on financial planning concepts, products, strategies, and software tools.
• Coach and mentor peers. Role may include leadership responsibilities.
• Lead cross-department projects and represent the financial planning perspective in enterprise initiatives.

What Skills/Qualifications Do You Need?

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in finance of business-related fields
• Advanced credentials in financial planning strongly preferred (CFP, ChFC, CPA, etc.)

Work Experience

• 8+ years of relevant financial service industry experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep knowledge of financial planning tools, concepts, and strategies
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and organization skills
• Works equally well independently and collaboratively
• Skilled in self-motivation, self-development, and accountability
• Organized, energetic, and able to display strong public speaking skills

Career Path

• Financial Planning Advocate Senior