Paraplanner

Paraplanner

Job Summary

As a key member of the Investment Services team, the Paraplanner partners with Wealth Advisors and Investment Coordinators to support and strengthen member relationships. This position provides critical assistance in financial planning, process improvement, and financial project execution. The paraplanner leverages financial tools, analytical skills, and industry knowledge to prepare plan materials, conduct research, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. As a licensed financial professional, the Paraplanner collaborates closely with the Investment Services Coordinator team to deliver exceptional member experience, enhance operational efficiency, and support the delivery of personalized financial solutions.

The Paraplanner reports to the Manager, Client Services.

About UFCU

Our Credit Union was founded in 1936 and has grown to serve members throughout Texas and beyond. At UFCU, we are more than just a financial institution, and our people are more than just employees. We are dedicated to our purpose of empowering our Members to achieve financial success and build brighter futures.

In pursuit of our aspiration that UFCU is loved by millions of Members and built to thrive for generations, we are guided by our values:

Purposefully Member-Obsessed

We are driven by a profound sense of empathy to deeply understand our Members’ needs and preferences, what brighter futures means to them, and the obstacles in their way. We act in our Members’ best interests, forever seeking to empower their financial success.

Possibilities Reimagined

We are inspired to courageously experiment, learn, and iterate in pursuit of positive impact for our Members, UFCU, and coworkers. We challenge assumptions, embrace diverse perspectives, and make use of data and insights.

Performance Excellence Rooted in Unwavering Integrity

We do the right thing, always. We champion teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and celebrate successful outcomes of others, fostering an inclusive environment of excellence and collaboration.

Essential Functions

Financial Planning and Analysis

• Prepare financial plans and investment/insurance sales proposals for high potential prospects and clients.
• Perform financial analyses, assess protection of assets, create reports, and develop client plans for managing risks through protection products.
• Analyze how clients may best manage taxation and create recommendations for planning a secure retirement.
• Perform investment analyses relative to financial goals and create plans for enhancing estate values to care for loved ones relative to member/client financial portfolios.
• Develop client plans for managing risks through protection products.
• Maintain and apply knowledge of current industry trends and emerging concepts.
• Leverage tools/resources and strategic partnerships to perform financial analyses, assess protection of assets, create reports, and develop client plans for managing risks through protection products.

Client Engagement and Service

• Engage prospects and clients by building rapport, discern their goals and needs, and provide suggestions for how to meet those needs.
• Consistently provide excellent member service by responding to all inquiries in a timely manner and immediately resolving issues by identifying goals and establishing priorities.
• Conduct both in-person and virtual client meetings, demonstrating proficiency with video conferencing technologies (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams, WebEx).
• Provide investment advice and execute customized solutions to meet members’ service needs.

Collaboration and Partnership

• Work jointly with Wealth Advisors and Investment Coordinator to lead in the preparation and delivery of financial plans, analyses, and investment/insurance proposals among other value- added life event needs.
• Partner with Wealth Advisors in preparation for annual reviews and servicing needs of current clients.

Compliance

• Maintain all required licensing and meet continuing education requirements on an annual basis.

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Adheres to all company policies, procedures and business ethics codes.
• Completes required regulatory training as assigned.
• Maintains strict adherence and compliance to all laws, rules, regulations and internal controls specific to the role, including but not limited to the Bank Secrecy Act and regulations (Anti-Money Laundering rules), Patriot Act, Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations, and Fair Lending regulations.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of financial planning/finance concepts, models, and terminology.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel) and Customer Relations Management software.

Skills

• Strong people and relationship skills, with a service mentality.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, active listening, collaborative, and presentation communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information succinctly.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Possess high-level of analytical acuity and intellectual curiosity.

Abilities

• Ability to utilize financial planning software tools including Asset-Map, Albridge, and RightCapital
• Strong ability to utilize defined work-flow process to ensure excellent client/member experience.
• Demonstrated ability to take accountability and ownership in daily work by assuming responsibility and consistently taking action that supports the success of the Wealth Advisor(s).
• Demonstrated passion for continuous learning and staying current with industry trends and concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to provide high touch, quality service surrounding UFCU’s values.
• Ability to work in a highly sensitive and confidential environment.
• Ability to think critically and multi-task in a fast-paced team environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in analyzing and interpreting data.

Competencies

• Adaptability
• Building Member Loyalty
• Building Partnerships
• Communication
• Emotional Intelligence
• Focus on Results
• Leading and Developing Self

Experience

Minimum Requirements

• Associates degree in related field. Four (4) years of relevant experience may be substituted for degree.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in financial planning or related field.
• Minimum of one (1) year administrative level experience
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Charter Financial Consultant ChFC designation.
• FINRA Series 7 and either 63, 65, or 66 Series licenses (i.e., 7 & 63/65, or 7 & 66).
• Texas Life, Accident, and Health Insurance license (or become licensed within 90 days of hire).
• Credit union, financial institution, or investment firm experience.
• Must be bondable.

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience utilizing financial planning software (Asset-Map, Albridge, and RightCapital)

Things You Need to Know Before You Apply

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee in order to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Employee will make extensive use of the telephone or virtual communications platforms requiring the ability to effectively and accurately explain complex information.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• This position is required to work frequently at UFCU Plaza in Austin, Texas.
• This position may have direct exposure to possible robbery.
• May occasionally require an adjusted work schedule, overtime, and evening/weekend hours.
• May occasionally move from one work location/branch to another.
• Public contact position, requiring appropriate professional appearance.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation up to two hours at a time.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.