Head of Technical Consulting

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., * 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., * 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.

o Monthly Team Heads MI

o KPIs

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.

• 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.

• 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, * Educated to GCE A-Level standard

• Achieved Chartered Financial Planner and/or Certified Financial Planning Status

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

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Private Medical Insurance

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.