An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Paraplanning Team Leader to join a well-established financial planning business, leading and developing a team of Paraplanners while continuing to provide high-quality technical paraplanning support.
This is a varied leadership role, combining team management, technical guidance, quality assurance and hands-on paraplanning. You will be responsible for overseeing workflow, monitoring performance, developing team members and ensuring all advice documentation meets the required regulatory and compliance standards.
Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will undertake complex paraplanning activities, including reviewing client fact-finds, researching suitable recommendations and preparing compliant suitability reports, with a particular focus on pension and safeguarded benefit advice.
Working closely with senior management, Financial Advisers, Compliance and Business Quality teams, you will play a key role in improving processes, managing risk and ensuring the delivery of excellent client outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership and Development
- Manage the day-to-day activities of the Paraplanning team, including workflow, case allocation and pipeline management.
- Monitor case progress to ensure urgent and routine cases are completed within agreed service levels.
- Take ownership of team performance, monitoring individual targets and providing regular management updates.
- Conduct regular appraisals, providing constructive feedback and supporting professional development.
- Mentor and train trainees and new starters, helping them achieve competency within agreed timescales.
- Deliver technical training sessions to maintain and develop the team's knowledge and expertise.
- Conduct peer reviews and provide technical guidance across new and existing advice areas.
- Monitor quality and identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Support the development and implementation of processes and procedures to improve efficiency and consistency.
- Work collaboratively with senior management and Business Quality teams to maintain high standards.
- Deputise for the Head of Paraplanning when required.
- Ensure the team operates in line with FCA requirements, internal policies and suitability standards.
Technical Paraplanning and Advice Support
- Review client fact-finds to ensure financial circumstances, objectives and needs are accurately documented.
- Challenge Financial Advisers where information is incomplete or further justification is required to support recommendations.
- Undertake product and fund research to identify suitable solutions based on individual client needs.
- Prepare clear, accurate and compliant draft suitability reports using approved templates.
- Provide technical support across a range of financial planning areas, including pensions and safeguarded benefits.
- Complete relevant financial analysis, calculations and cashflow modelling.
- Obtain illustrations, Key Features Documents, application forms and supporting documentation.
- Liaise with Financial Advisers, product providers and internal teams to obtain information required to progress cases.
- Work with Business Quality and Compliance teams to resolve file-checking queries and remedial actions.
- Ensure client files meet regulatory and internal quality standards, aiming for first-time approval wherever possible.
- Coordinate the issue of final recommendation reports and ensure cases are accurately recorded on back-office systems.
- Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge, industry awareness and continuing professional development.
About You
The successful candidate will be an experienced Paraplanner with strong technical knowledge, proven leadership ability and a commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant financial advice.
You will ideally have:
- At least five years' paraplanning experience.
- Previous experience working within an IFA or financial planning practice.
- A minimum of one year's experience researching and preparing reports involving safeguarded benefits.
- Essential knowledge of Defined Benefit pensions and pension transfers.
- A strong understanding of FCA regulations, suitability requirements and client fact-finding.
- Experience researching products and recommendations across a broad range of providers and funds.
- A proven ability to review complex cases, identify risks and challenge recommendations where appropriate.
- Experience mentoring, training and developing Paraplanners.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain high-quality standards.
- A proactive approach to continuous improvement and risk management.
Qualifications
- Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning - essential.
- Working towards Chartered status.
- Pension and Defined Benefit transfer knowledge - essential.
- Previous experience as a Senior Paraplanner would be advantageous.
Salary and Benefits
Competitive salary of £55,000, commensurate with experience.
This is an excellent opportunity for an established Senior Paraplanner or experienced technical professional ready to take the next step into a leadership position, with the chance to lead and develop a team, influence working practices and maintain involvement in complex financial planning cases, including Defined Benefit pensions and safeguarded benefits.
