The Opportunity
Progressive LLP is looking to recruit a Paraplanner & Systems Specialist to join the firm at an important stage of its development.
This is an influential role combining technical paraplanning support with responsibility for helping to improve the systems, templates, workflows and processes that support the firm’s advice function.
The successful candidate will support advisers and the wider team with the preparation of client advice, annual reviews, technical research and new business cases. However, this is not intended to be a narrow report-writing role. A key part of the opportunity will be taking ownership of important areas of the firm’s internal advice process, including report templates, standard wording, workflow improvements and the responsible use of AI-supported tools.
The role would suit someone who has, or is developing, strong technical paraplanning knowledge, but who also enjoys improving systems, creating structure, refining processes and helping a small professional team work more effectively.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to become a trusted long-term member of the team and to play a meaningful role in shaping how Progressive’s technical support and operational processes develop over time.
About Progressive
Progressive LLP is a genuinely independent firm of Chartered Financial Planners. We provide personal financial planning, tax planning and investment advice to clients who value long-term relationships, clear advice and a highly personal service.
We are not tied to any product provider and are able to advise across the whole of the market. Our clients include individuals, families, business owners and professionals, many of whom have worked with Progressive for many years and have been introduced through existing clients or professional connections.
Progressive has a distinctive investment approach, with a strong preference for defined or more predictable returns where possible. We place importance on sustainable, ethical and values-based investing where this reflects a client’s objectives and preferences.
Our advice combines strong technical knowledge with a personal and thoughtful approach. This includes retirement planning, investment planning, estate and inheritance tax planning, tax-efficient investment strategies and wider lifetime financial planning.
Progressive is also adopting technology, including AI-supported tools, to assist with elements of the report writing, annual review and advice process. AI will be used to support efficiency and consistency, but the role will continue to require technical understanding, careful review, accuracy and professional judgement.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to help develop and maintain areas of the firm’s advice process, including:
- managing and maintaining report templates, review documents and standard wording;
- ensuring templates and standard wording remain accurate, up to date and consistently applied;
- supporting the firm’s adoption of AI-assisted and technology-led processes;
- reviewing AI-supported outputs carefully to ensure they are accurate, appropriate and consistent with the advice being provided;
- contributing to the ongoing development of internal guidance, processes and systems.
We would like to see passion and enthusiasm for the ownership of these areas, with plans to work alongside one of the firm’s partners to implement these developments.
The successful candidate will also be expected to:
- support advisers and paraplanners with the preparation of suitability reports and client recommendation letters;
- assist with technical research across pensions, investments, tax-efficient planning, protection and estate planning;
- help prepare and review annual review packs and technical review summaries for existing clients;
- help ensure advice files contain a clear audit trail and meet internal compliance standards;
- develop knowledge of Progressive’s advice process, investment approach and planning strategies;
- use Microsoft Word and Excel confidently to support report writing, analysis, formatting, data organisation and internal workflow;
- support a range of tasks across the business where required, reflecting the nature of working in a small office and the importance of flexibility, teamwork and shared responsibility.
The Candidate
The successful candidate should have:
- a desire in improving systems, processes, templates and internal workflows;
- an interest to work with, and help develop, AI-supported tools as part of the firm’s developing report writing and review process;
- be working towards, or ideally have completed, the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning or an equivalent qualification, with Chartered status or further professional progression preferred;
- a positive, adaptable and professional attitude;
- experience working in financial services, ideally within an independent financial planning or wealth management firm;
- strong written communication skills and excellent attention to detail;
- good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities;
- good knowledge of pensions, investments and financial planning principles, or a strong desire to develop in these areas;
- strong Microsoft Word skills, including document formatting, report preparation and working with templates;
- strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to organise, review and interpret data accurately;
- a careful and methodical approach to work;
- the ability to work effectively as part of a small office-based team.
Working Arrangements
This is a full-time, office-based role.
The successful candidate will be expected to work from the office on an ongoing basis. This reflects the collaborative nature of the role and the importance of working closely with advisers, paraplanners and administrators to support client work, annual reviews, report writing and the day-to-day progression of cases.
Candidates should therefore be comfortable working in an office-based environment as part of a close-knit team.
What We Offer
We offer:
- the opportunity to join a genuinely independent Chartered financial planning firm;
- the opportunity to take ownership of important areas of the firm’s report templates, standard wording and internal advice process;
- the chance to be involved in the firm’s developing use of technology and AI-supported tools within the advice process;
- the ability to contribute ideas and help improve the way the business operates;
- involvement in a distinctive investment and advice approach, including tax-efficient planning strategies and defined return solutions where suitable for clients;
- a supportive environment in which to develop technical paraplanning skills;
- exposure to a broad range of financial planning areas, including pensions, investments, tax planning, estate planning and annual review work;
- support with professional development and relevant industry qualifications (is desired);
- the opportunity to build a long-term career within a respected independent financial planning firm’s paraplanning and technical support function.
- Salary range as a guidance but will be according to qualifications and experience
Summary
This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected independent firm at an important stage.
The role would suit someone who is organised, technically curious, accurate and keen to learn. The successful candidate will play an important part in supporting the advice process, improving turnaround times, assisting with annual reviews and helping the firm continue to provide a high-quality service to clients.
It would be particularly well suited to someone who wants to combine technical paraplanning development with the opportunity to help improve business systems, templates, workflows and the responsible use of AI within a financial planning firm.
Progressive is looking for someone who shares our commitment to client service, technical excellence, professional integrity and continuous improvement, and who is interested in becoming a valued long-term member of our paraplanning team.
Pay: £30,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
