Head of Paraplanning

The primary role of the Head of Paraplanning is provide leadership and management to a team of Paraplanners enabling them to prepare and produce quality, well researched and accurate Statements of Advice for The Hopkins Group (THG) clients. It is important the Head of Paraplanning possesses all the technical skills required and is knowledgeable about the range of investment services provided by THG, including superannuation, wealth accumulation, gearing to invest, regular savings, wealth protection, retirement planning and income streams, cash flow & liability management, risk management, Centrelink entitlements, insurance planning and estate planning and various Self-Managed Super Fund strategies, specifically SMSF LRBA’s.

**REPORTING RELATIONSHIP**
The Head of Paraplanning reports directly to the Head of Advice and will lead and manage the Paraplanners. You will also have a close working relationship with the Financial Planners, and Financial Planning Administration Assistants.

**SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**
The primary responsibilities of the Head of Paraplanning include, but are not limited to, the following:
**Service delivery**
- Monitor and ensure staff prepare compliant Statements of Advice (SoAs) within the required timeframe and in accordance with THG policy and best practice standards
- Preparation of Statements of Advice (SoAs) based upon information provided by Financial Planners through the fact find, risk profile and recommended strategies
- Maintain current product information and technical information templates for use in SoAs through Xplan and Enzumo
- Ensure all FOFA obligations as part of the administration and advice preparation process are adhered to
- Utilise and oversee the maintenance of financial planning software
- Data entry of client information into financial planning software (XPlan) to produce sophisticated projections for SoAs (Xtools preferred)
- Assist in the maintenance and updating of IRESS Portfolio System (IPS) data (client portfolios) and Wealth Solver processes
- Ensure all documents produced are fully compliant and in line with Sentry (our licensee) and THG policies
- Keep up to date and knowledgeable on current finance sources, techniques, products, legislation, qualifications and courses required by THG and the industry
- Assist with various ad hoc paraplanning duties, as required
- Adhere to THG standards including, but not limited to, working appropriate and agreed business hours, adhering to dress standards, cultural standards and maintaining a clear work area
- Contribute to the training and development of our team of Paraplanners
- Be an active and punctual member and contributor to training, team meetings and firm wide activity, including events which may be outside of normal working times

**Training and mentoring**
- In conjunction with the Head of Advice, as necessary, review and revise position descriptions and work procedures for Paraplanning
- In conjunction with the Head of Advice, assess and monitor Paraplanning staff performance against position descriptions and key performance indicators and guide staff on their desired career path
- Provide ongoing training and assistance to Paraplanning and Financial Administration staff to ensure they meet and maintain the required level of competency standards
- Coordinate and monitor product and technical training for Paraplanners and other staff (where relevant) to assist them in meeting their ongoing Professional Development requirements.

**THE HOPKINS GROUP PHILOSOPHIES, GOALS & OBJECTIVES**
- A sound knowledge of THG philosophies, goals and objectives must be fully comprehended and adhered to at all times
- A sound knowledge of the THG Communication Strategy, and the manner of how THG communicates to our audience, is essential.

**PREREQUISITES AND QUALIFICATIONS**
- Completion of relevant formal qualifications, minimum RG146. Completion of Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning is highly desirable
- Experience with Salesforce or similar is advantageous
- Sound knowledge of the front and back-end financial planning process
- Sound knowledge of regulations and compliance obligations of which paraplanners and financial planners operate
- Excellent influencing and persuasiveness skills
- Excellent relationship building skills
- Proven leadership skills and ability to train staff and provide constructive feedback
- Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate with people at different levels and with contrasting levels of technical knowledge and skills
- Project management and change management experience
- Experience in formulating, implementing, and adhering to a regular training plan

**PERFORMANCE STANDARDS**
The work performance of the Head of Paraplanning will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

- The completion of quality, well researched and accurate Statements of Advice in a timely manner across the team whilst focusing on