Head of Technical Consulting in London

EQ is an award-winning wealth manager with over c70 staff and 2,000 clients, including private individuals, companies and charities all around the UK. We are based in London near London Bridge. We have a team of 10 Technical Consultants who support 15 Financial Planning consultants.
EQ is also Certified B Corporation (having been one of the founding firms in the UK), an internationally recognised standard for companies that believe in business as a force for good. Making a positive contribution to the wider community is a core part of our business philosophy.
Role
This is an opportunity to lead the technical/paraplanning function at EQ investors with a remit to achieve industry leading technical financial planning advice standards on which the firm bases its financial planning advice and staff development programme. The role-holder has accountability and responsibility for the technical advice provided by the firm.
The successful candidate will become a key member of the financial planning executive committee and will report to the Head of Advice at EQ.
Knowledge & Experience
Key Skills
5+ years' experience within a similar role within a Wealth Manager/financial advisory practice.
Relevant experience of working within a Financial Planning environment (Consultancy, IFA, Insurance, etc).
Clear communicator and excellent written English and report writing skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and previous experience of managing a team.
Solid numeracy skills and statistical analysis and ability to conduct research.
Able to handle conflict fairly and with authority.
Able to prioritise tasks and deadlines and communicate changes.
Able to work independently.
Prior experience of project management within a business is desirable.
Technical
Fully understands, creates and implements the financial planning process of the business
Provide Subject Matter Expertise (SME) in all aspects of the product and advisory offering provided by the business to its clients
Highly proficient in both MS Word and MS Excel.
Familiarity with financial planning CRMs.
Comfortable using FE Analytics, Voyant, Iress Exchange (or equivalents).
Ability to present and write technical papers on all matters relevant to their area of expertise and responsibilities.
Excellent product knowledge.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent attention to detail.
Ability to manage a challenging workload with competing demands
Education & Qualifications
Educated to GCE A-Level standard
Achieved Chartered Financial Planner and/or Certified Financial Planning Status
Role & Responsibilities
Responsible for line management, mentoring and development of Technical Consultant team. To enhance the Technical Consultant team's technical and regulatory skills, knowledge and experience. The role-holder has the authority to apply improvement standards to the quality of advice provided to Clients by Consultants.
Co-ordination and management of the resourcing and workflow priorities of the paraplanning services provided within the organisation. Managing team workload and driving operational efficiencies through new technologies and systems.
Provide strategic input to Senior Management to help guide EQ's direction from a technical and staff mentoring perspective.
Accountable for developing and implementing the highest standards of advice and through-put by having ownership for the firm’s Technical Consulting output.
Production of regular data analysis for MI purposes including KPIs and internal team statistics.
To maintain sound risk management and compliance practices.
You will have an in-depth understanding of financial planning and the investment arena and keep up to date with all relevant product, legislative or technical changes pertinent to the role.
Working with the Technical Consulting team to enhance reporting templates to reflect legislation and regulatory changes. Working with AI partner to improve automation and efficiency of suitability reports.
Preparing complex suitability reports and supporting the Technical Consultants with suitability report production during peak business periods.
Responsible for updating Consultants and Technical Consulting team on important technical changes and delivering and supporting a programme of technical training.
Support the Compliance Officer, Head of Advice, Team Heads and other Technical Consultants in their daily planning and advisory technical duties.
Business Processing:
Provide quality checking analysis to ensure best practice and highest standards in all technical consulting work conducted within the business - e.g. File review feedback.
Ensure robust suitability letters are provided for all areas of financial planning.
Adhere to 'best practice' compliance and regulatory requirements.
Ensure EQ Investors are adopting 'best of breed' products and comprehensive due diligence is conducted on all product/platform areas via its panels.
Provide technical expertise to all Financial Planning areas.
Draft content for brochures and guides supporting EQ's Financial Planning proposition.
Coordinate with product provider meetings, where appropriate.
Maintain team process maps and procedures.
Production of monthly Management Information e.g.Monthly Team Heads MIKPIs
Risk and Change Management:
Maintain training and competency.
Full engagement with compliance to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
Adhere to EQ Investors risk governance procedures.
Manage reputational risk and ensure adherence to EQ procedures covering ongoing Know Your Customer and Money Laundering responsibilities.
Embrace Change Management and Project activities across business functions.
Salary & Benefits
The role is a full-time position based at our office near Monument in London with a competitive salary + discretionary bonus. Other benefits include:
25 days annual leave
Auto enrolled into the company pension scheme after 3 months employment - matched employer contributions up to 6% of salary
Group Life Assurance (4 x Salary) & Group Income Protection (75% of Salary)
Opportunity to join electric car scheme and SIP share scheme after a year’s employment
Support with future professional qualifications
Flexible & Remote Working Policy in operation
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