Mutual Fund & ETF Product Specialist

Job Description Summary

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Product Specialist – Mutual Fund & ETF Research utilizes knowledge of finance and investment concepts obtained through education and work experience to educate financial advisors and clients on the mutual fund, ETF, and 529 platforms. Individuals assuming this role will be responsible for assisting in marketing strategy development, product management, and both market and product analysis of mutual funds and ETFs; supporting departmental service objectives through reactive and proactive phone efforts designed to create awareness of and educate financial advisors on the various products and services offered on the mutual fund and ETF platforms of Raymond James; making product recommendations and presentations to financial advisors and other constituents; and maintaining frequent contact with current and prospective product sponsors. Requirements include acquiring and maintaining the general and product knowledge needed to appropriately educate advisors and clients on the various products and services available on the mutual fund and ETF platforms, including strategies such as domestic equity, international and global equity, taxable and municipal fixed income, and allocation strategies.

Job Description

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Product Specialist – Mutual Fund & ETF Research utilizes knowledge of finance and investment concepts obtained through education and work experience to educate financial advisors and clients on the mutual fund, ETF, and 529 platforms. Individuals assuming this role will be responsible for assisting in marketing strategy development, product management, and both market and product analysis of mutual funds and ETFs; supporting departmental service objectives through reactive and proactive phone efforts designed to create awareness of and educate financial advisors on the various products and services offered on the mutual fund and ETF platforms of Raymond James; making product recommendations and presentations to financial advisors and other constituents; and maintaining frequent contact with current and prospective product sponsors. Requirements include acquiring and maintaining the general and product knowledge needed to appropriately educate advisors and clients on the various products and services available on the mutual fund and ETF platforms, including strategies such as domestic equity, international and global equity, taxable and municipal fixed income, and allocation strategies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for financial advisors contacting the Mutual Fund & ETF Research department and provide proactive and reactive strategy and product-related phone and email support.
• Maintain market and product knowledge of various mutual funds, ETFs and 529 plans available at Raymond James.
• Analyze the investment merits and risks of mutual fund and ETF products.
• Work closely with product managers on analysis and recommendations related to existing mutual fund and ETF products as requested by financial advisors.
• Provide general education, product specific education, and support on client cases in a manner consistent with the conservative nature of the firm.
• Assist product managers with marketing strategy development, product management, and market and product analysis.
• Prepare educational material/presentations to support various education savings strategies.
• Transfer product knowledge and expertise by communicating with and educating other departments within the Private Client Investment Products Group and within the firm, as well as by working directly with financial advisors.
• Meet specific objectives related to proactively contacting financial advisors to discuss products and strategies identified by product managers to increase awareness and usage.
• Regularly use Advisor Engagement CRM infrastructure for documenting advisor conversations.
• Contribute to department wide initiatives that require team input.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge of

• Principles of banking and finance and securities industry operations.
• Financial analysis.
• MS Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Skill in

• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Preparing and delivering clear and professional educational presentations.
• Identifying the needs of financial advisors through effective questioning and listening techniques.
• Organizing, managing, tracking and executing multiple detailed tasks and assignments with frequently changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment with limited guidance.