Financial Planning Associate

Financial Planning Associate - Development Pathway to Financial Adviser
Location: Barrow-in-Furness (1 day per week home working following training)
Permanent, full-time position available.

About Us:

Poole Townsend Group is an established, highly reputable firm offering comprehensive legal, financial and property services through our team of experienced and qualified professionals. Our Financial Services division provides exceptional support and advice to clients, and we are looking for a skilled and motivated individual to lead our administration and paraplanning team.

We are proud to be an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This means the business is owned for the benefit of its employees, creating a culture where everyone has a shared interest in the long-term success of the firm. As an employee, you benefit from:

• Collaboration and shared responsibility in shaping the business
• Long-term stability and focus on sustainable growth
• The potential for tax-free employee bonuses (subject to performance and EOT rules)
• Transparency and employee voice in decision-making

The Role:

Build a professional career helping people make important financial decisions.

At Poole Townsend Financial Services, we help individuals, families and business owners make informed decisions about their financial future.

We're looking for an ambitious individual with the potential to become a trusted Financial Adviser. You may already work in financial services, or you may have developed valuable skills in another profession. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, solve problems, communicate effectively and continually learn.

This is not an administration role and it is not simply a study programme. From the outset, you'll play an active role in supporting clients, developing professional relationships and contributing to the growth of the business.

What you’ll do:

Working alongside experienced advisers, paraplanners and support staff, you'll gradually develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to become a professional Financial Adviser.

Responsibilities will evolve as your experience grows but may include:

• Attending client meetings and supporting ongoing advice relationships.
• Building trusted relationships with clients and professional contacts.
• Researching financial planning solutions and preparing recommendations.
• Helping clients resolve queries and navigate financial decisions.
• Preparing information for reviews and financial planning meetings.
• Supporting cashflow planning, report preparation and client reviews.
• Working closely with advisers and paraplanners to deliver high quality client outcomes.
• Studying towards professional financial planning qualifications.
  

As your confidence develops, you'll also be encouraged to:

• Follow up opportunities arising from client and professional referrals.
• Build relationships with solicitors, estate agents, accountants and other professional introducers.
• Work with colleagues across the wider Poole Townsend Group to identify opportunities to support existing clients.
• Attend networking events and represent the business within the local community.
• Contribute to marketing initiatives, articles, seminars and client events.
• Identify opportunities where clients may benefit from additional planning, advice or support.

What we’re looking for:

We're interested in potential as much as experience.

The right person is likely to be:

• A strong communicator who enjoys meeting and talking to people.
• Naturally curious and interested in understanding what matters to others.
• Comfortable building relationships and developing trust.
• Commercially aware and confident identifying opportunities.
• Organised, proactive and willing to take ownership.
• Motivated to learn and develop professionally.
• Someone who enjoys solving problems and making things happen.

Experience within financial services would be an advantage, but it is not essential.

We would welcome applications from individuals with backgrounds in areas such as Financial Services, Banking, Accountancy, Estate Agency, Legal Services, Recruitment, Business Development, Professional Client Services

Career Development:

We will provide:

• Structured training and mentoring.
• Support towards professional qualifications.
• Exposure to real client work from an early stage.
• A clear pathway towards Financial Adviser status.
• Opportunities to build your own client relationships and professional network.
• Long-term career progression within a growing business.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and the opportunity to work in an Employee Ownership Trust with potential for performance-related bonuses
• 22 days annual holiday (plus bank holidays and discretionary Christmas leave)
• Medicash health cash plan, employee assistance programme, staff discounts, regular company events, and more
• Supportive, collaborative workplace culture

How to Apply:

If you are looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference to people's financial futures and have the ambition to develop into a qualified Financial Adviser, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications is 9am on Friday 27th November 2026.

Join Poole Townsend and be part of a team that values excellence, integrity, and client satisfaction.

Poole Townsend is a Disability Confident Employer. We welcome applications from people with disabilities and are committed to providing an inclusive, supportive workplace.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.