Senior Paraplanner / Technical Specialist

LGT Bank AG, Zweigniederlassung ÖsterreichLondon, EnglandRemote, Hybrid, On-siteFull-timeSenior, 5–8 yearsListed 6 hours ago

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About this role

LGT Wealth Management UK LLP is a UK-based partnership, wholly owned by the private banking group LGT, which is in turn owned by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. When we set up LGT Wealth Management in 2008, our aim was to offer a fresh approach to wealth management. Alongside the LLP we also have two other entities which focus on US and Jersey based clients. Our head office is based in London however we have a presence in Edinburgh, Jersey, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester. The plan was simple: put our clients first by providing a transparent service, designed around what is right for each of them. By drawing together in-depth knowledge and experience from across the industry, we provide a flexible, bespoke service adapted to each of our clients’ needs.

Our mission is to create long-term value for all stakeholders. Our culture encourages individuals to generate, develop and implement ideas which will strengthen our business.  Belonging, respect, integrity, conviction and entrepreneurship  are our core values.  As our brand recognition grows, we are fast becoming an employer of choice in our sector.  We have over £30 billion in funds under management and circa 700 staff.

Job Description

The Wealth Planning team is responsible for the provision of comprehensive financial planning advice to individuals, companies, partnerships and trusts. We work with our clients to create bespoke financial plans, considering the whole of the market in order to find the best financial planning solutions. We are involved in a broad range of activities including:

▪ Cash flow analysis

▪ Psychometric risk profiling

▪ Retirement planning

▪ Pension aggregation

▪ Income tax planning

▪ Inheritance tax planning

▪ Business planning

▪ Protection for death and illness

▪ Long term savings and investments

▪ Offshore and international planning for non-domiciled and non-resident clients

▪ Venture Capital Trust, Enterprise Investment Scheme and Business Relief advice

The Wealth Planning team is looking for an experienced professional to join in either a Senior Paraplanner or Technical Specialist capacity, depending on their expertise. We are open to candidates who can independently manage paraplanning across standard and complex advice cases, as well as those whose strengths lie in resolving exceptional technical planning questions and guiding colleagues on specialist matters. In either capacity, the successful candidate will bring sound judgement, work effectively with Wealth Planners across our UK offices and be able to contribute from the outset.

Senior Paraplanner:

The primary role of the Senior Paraplanner is to provide a full professional and technical support function to Wealth Planners in meeting the client’s financial objectives. The Wealth Planners supported by this role are based across LGT’s UK regional offices in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds. The Senior Paraplanner will be based in London and must be comfortable providing effective support remotely, if required.

The role requires an experienced Senior Paraplanner who can contribute from day one with minimal core paraplanning training, aside from training on LGT’s specific processes. Candidates do not need to hold the title of Senior Paraplanner currently, but this is not intended as a development opportunity for someone who needs hands on training in core paraplanning.

The Senior Paraplanner independently owns the paraplanning work on standard, bespoke and complex advice cases. They anticipate and resolve issues, exercise sound technical judgement, maintain a complete and well-documented advice file, and provide guidance to less experienced colleagues. They recognise when a case calls for specialist technical input and involve the Technical Specialist where appropriate.

The Senior Paraplanner may also be required to carry out other duties allocated to them by Wealth Planners, Compliance team, Administration Manager or Paraplanner Manager to meet the wider needs of the Wealth Planning team.

Senior Paraplanner Key Responsibilities

Preparation and Maintenance of Client Files

▪  Take ownership of the advice file throughout the paraplanning process, proactively identifying missing information, technical issues and potential delays, and resolving or escalating them as appropriate.

▪  Collect and analyse client’s financial information and work with Wealth Planners to determine strategies for meeting the client’s financial objectives.

▪  Ensure that all compliance documentation is recorded in line with LGT Wealth Planning’s procedure manual and FCA guidelines.

▪  Accurately record client information and documentation within Intelligent Office (iO) back-office management system.

▪  Follow the Intelligent Office (iO) process consistently and maintain files to a standard that supports successful Operations file checks.

▪  Identify and obtain the information necessary to complete a cash flow model (if required).

Cashflow Planning (if required)

▪  Interpret data received from the client and build a cashflow model using our cash flow modelling tool.

▪  Ensure that all data input into the cash flow modelling tool is accurate and correct.

▪  Independently build, review and explain cashflow models for standard and more advanced scenarios, checking that the assumptions, inputs and outputs are appropriate to the client’s circumstances and the advice under consideration.

▪  Prepare an analysis document which details the outputs and key findings from the modelling, in line with the requirements of the Senior/ Wealth Planner and client.

▪  Provide guidance to other paraplanners on the cashflow modelling process, where appropriate.

Advice and Recommendation

▪  Independently lead bespoke and complex advice cases, taking ownership of the technical research, planning analysis, report drafting and completeness of the advice file. Recognise unusual or specialist issues and involve the Technical Specialist where advanced technical input is required.

▪  The Senior Paraplanner may attend client meetings with the Wealth Planner (as required).

▪  Research and record all technical and product data relevant to the client and to the specific advice we are providing.

▪  Research should be undertaken both independently and alongside the Wealth Planner.

▪  Act as a trusted technical point of reference for Wealth Planners, applying sound judgement across standard and complex cases.

▪  Analyse the client’s existing products/ financial arrangements to determine suitability in meeting the client’s objectives.

▪  Identify unusual, exceptionally complex or technically uncertain matters early, document the questions requiring resolution and seek input from the Technical Specialist or other appropriate specialists where necessary.

▪  Undertake financial calculations relevant to the financial advice.

▪  Manage the preparation and completion of comprehensive financial advice letters and suitability reports in line with LGT Wealth Planning’s procedure manual. Ensuring any recommendations are detailed in a clear, concise, jargon free manner. This would include (but not limited to) retirement planning, estate planning, cash flow reports, or financial strategy plans.

▪  Show initiative in preparing supporting analysis or documents where these would improve the quality or clarity of the advice, even if they were not specifically requested at the outset.

▪  Ensure that all client data detailed in our financial advice letters and suitability reports is accurate and correct.

▪  Ensure that the correct advice sign off is obtained prior to issuing the financial advice letters and suitability reports.

▪  Liaise with the client’s LGT investment manager, legal advisor, accountant and tax advisers, etc (where applicable).

Oversee Implementation of Recommendations

▪  Take ownership of the advice process, ensuring the advice file is in good order before it is passed to the Administration Manager for new business submission.

▪  Overseeing completion of application forms by the administration team before being issued to the client.

▪  Working closely with the administration team to oversee implementation of the agreed recommendations.

Workload Management

▪  Manage a substantial and varied workload independently, maintain an accurate and up-to-date work-in-progress record, and complete cases within the applicable service level agreement (SLA) timescales. Communicate dependencies and escalate genuine risks to delivery early, without compromising quality or compliance.

Administration

▪  Although the team has an administration team primarily responsible for liaising with third party suppliers; the onus is on the Senior Paraplanner to ensure the administration is completed in a time-efficient manner. This may involve letter writing, chase letters of authority, and chasing information from third parties.

▪  In the absence of the administration team, the Senior Paraplanner will be expected to undertake their own administration.

Team Contribution

▪  Proactively support and share technical knowledge with other paraplanners, aspiring paraplanners in the administration team, trainees and summer interns.

▪  Identify and contribute improvements to paraplanning processes, report templates, discussion documents, case practices and working standards.

▪  Build strong, credible working relationships across the Wealth Planning team and demonstrate commercial awareness in supporting the advice process.

Technical Specialist:

The Technical Specialist provides advanced technical analysis and specialist financial planning support to Wealth Planners advising high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients and families. The role leads on exceptional, unusual and highly complex planning questions that require rigorous research, evaluation of interrelated strategies and a clearly reasoned technical approach. It also acts as a point of escalation for colleagues and helps establish consistent technical standards across the Wealth Planning team.

The Wealth Planners supported by this role are based across LGT’s UK regional offices in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds. The Technical Specialist will be based in London and must be comfortable providing effective support remotely, if required.

The Technical Specialist acts as a trusted technical point of reference for Wealth Planners and the wider Wealth Planning team. The role may also involve other duties allocated by Wealth Planners, Compliance, the Administration Manager or the Paraplanning Manager to meet the team’s wider needs.

Technical Specialist Key Responsibilities

Preparation and Maintenance of Client Files

▪  Collect and analyse client’s financial information and work with Wealth Planners to determine strategies for meeting the client’s financial objectives.

▪  Ensure that all compliance documentation is recorded in line with LGT Wealth Planning’s procedure manual and FCA guidelines.

▪  Accurately record client information and documentation within ‘Intelligent Office’ back-office management system.

▪  Identify and obtain the information necessary to complete a cash flow model (if required).

Cashflow Planning (if required)

▪  Build and review cashflow models that reflect the client’s circumstances, objectives and the planning strategies under consideration.

▪  Apply and document appropriate assumptions, test relevant scenarios and check the accuracy and consistency of model inputs and outputs.

▪  Analyse the results, including key sensitivities and limitations, and explain their implications to Wealth Planners and, where appropriate, clients.

▪  Prepare bespoke written analysis setting out the model’s outputs, key findings and relevance to the proposed advice.

▪  Provide technical guidance to colleagues on more advanced cashflow modelling where required.

Advice and Recommendation

▪  Lead advanced technical analysis of unusual, exceptional and highly complex cases for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and families. Assess how existing arrangements, planning objectives, risks and proposed strategies interact, particularly where cases involve family wealth structures or cross-border considerations. Develop a reasoned technical approach with the Wealth Planner and share relevant insights with colleagues to inform future cases.

▪  Undertake and document detailed research into relevant legislation, regulation, products and planning options, both independently and in collaboration with the Wealth Planner.

▪  Analyse clients’ existing products and financial arrangements to assess how well they meet current and future objectives.

▪  Work with Wealth Planners to develop and evaluate suitable solutions, clearly identifying the options considered, material risks, trade-offs and reasons for the proposed approach.

▪  Undertake and check complex financial calculations relevant to the advice.

▪  Provide specialist technical support to Wealth Planners on challenging cases and respond to technical queries from the wider team.

▪  Lead the technical analysis and preparation of bespoke financial advice letters, suitability reports and supporting documents. These may include retirement planning, estate planning, cashflow reports and wider financial strategy plans.

▪  Ensure advice documentation explains complex recommendations accurately, clearly and without unnecessary jargon, including the rationale for the advice and how it addresses the client’s objectives.

▪  Check the accuracy of client data, calculations, product information and technical conclusions before documents are submitted for review and sign-off.

▪  Ensure the appropriate advice sign-off is obtained before financial advice letters and suitability reports are issued.

▪  Attend client meetings with the Wealth Planner where specialist technical input would be valuable.

▪  Liaise, where appropriate, with the client’s LGT investment manager and external legal, accounting and tax advisers to ensure relevant specialist input is reflected accurately in the planning analysis.

▪  Act as a point of escalation for technical questions that cannot be resolved through routine case research or Senior Paraplanner review. Identify the relevant issues, evaluate the available approaches and document the rationale, limitations and any matters requiring input from Compliance or external legal or tax advisers.

Oversee Implementation of Recommendations

▪  Take ownership of the technical integrity and completeness of the advice file before it is passed to the Administration Manager for new business submission.

▪  Support the administration team with technically complex application requirements and review relevant forms and supporting information before they are issued to the client.

▪  Work with the administration team to resolve technically complex issues arising during application, submission or implementation.

Administration

▪  Although the team has an administration team primarily responsible for liaising with third party suppliers; the onus is on the Technical Specialist to ensure the administration is completed in a time-efficient manner. This may involve letter writing, chase letters of authority, and chasing information from third parties.

▪  In the absence of the administration team, the Technical Specialist will be expected to undertake their own administration.

Team Contribution

▪  Act as a specialist technical point of reference for Wealth Planners, paraplanners and the wider Wealth Planning team, providing considered guidance on complex and unusual client cases.

▪  Proactively share technical knowledge with other paraplanners, aspiring paraplanners in the administration team, trainees and summer interns. Provide coaching on research, technical analysis, cashflow modelling and the drafting of clear, well-reasoned advice reports.

▪  Support colleagues in working through challenging cases by helping them identify information gaps, assess planning options, test assumptions and reach a documented conclusion, while encouraging them to develop their own technical judgement.

▪  Keep the team informed of relevant regulatory, legislative and technical developments, explaining their practical implications for client advice and existing working practices.

▪  Identify and lead improvements to technical guidance, paraplanning processes, report templates, discussion documents, case practices and quality standards. Share lessons from complex cases so that good practice is applied consistently across the team.

▪  Build strong, credible relationships with Wealth Planners, Compliance, administration colleagues and other specialists. Work collaboratively to resolve technical issues while remaining focused on suitable advice, good client outcomes and timely delivery.

▪  Demonstrate commercial awareness by recognising the time and resources required for complex work, prioritising effectively and communicating technical risks or delays early without compromising the quality or integrity of the advice.

Requirements

Senior Paraplanner - Knowledge and Qualifications

▪  Chartered Financial Planner status, or very close to completing the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Chartered status is the expected standard for an established Senior Paraplanner.

▪  Five years or more of recent, comprehensive and well-rounded technical paraplanning experience, including work on bespoke and complex advice for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and families. Candidates currently titled “Paraplanner” will be considered if they can demonstrate that they already meet the requirements of this Senior Paraplanner role.

▪  Practical experience using Voyant for cashflow modelling is required.

Senior Paraplanner - Skills and Attributes:

▪  Strong technical knowledge of financial planning, the regulated advice process and the compliance requirements that apply to client recommendations.

▪  Sound judgement in assessing financial planning products and existing arrangements against a client’s circumstances and objectives.

▪  Ability to take ownership of bespoke and complex cases, identify information gaps, work through technical issues and develop well-reasoned solutions with Wealth Planners.

▪  Ability to produce accurate, compliant and bespoke advice reports that explain complex recommendations clearly and without unnecessary jargon.

▪  Confident use of Voyant to model and explain both standard and more advanced cashflow planning scenarios.

▪  A methodical approach, strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work with minimal supervision.

▪  Strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise a substantial workload, maintain an accurate work-in-progress record and meet agreed deadlines.

▪  Ability to manage expectations and build credible working relationships with Wealth Planners, colleagues, clients and third parties.

▪  Willingness to share technical knowledge, support less experienced colleagues and contribute to improvements in processes and report-writing standards.

▪  Commitment to keeping technical knowledge current with regulatory and legislative developments.

▪  Integrity, professionalism and reliability.

▪  Experience with Intelligent Office (iO), Synaptics Research, Defaqto Engage and IRESS Exchange is preferable.

▪  Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are desirable.

Technical Specialist - Knowledge and Qualifications

▪  Chartered Financial Planner status.

▪  Additional qualifications, such as those awarded by STEP, specialist tax qualifications or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification, would be advantageous.

▪  At least five years of recent, broad-based technical paraplanning experience, including substantial work on bespoke and complex advice for HNW and UHNW clients and families. Candidates must also demonstrate specialist depth, independently resolving unusual technical questions, producing advanced analysis across interrelated planning areas and providing credible technical guidance to colleagues.

Technical Specialist - Skills and Attributes

▪  Exceptional technical knowledge and sound judgement, with the confidence to evaluate options, challenge assumptions and develop a well-reasoned approach with the Wealth Planner.

▪  Ability to analyse complex financial and family circumstances and translate the findings into practical, client-specific planning recommendations.

▪  Excellent understanding of suitability and compliance requirements, including the documentation needed to support a clear advice rationale.

▪  Ability to produce detailed, bespoke technical analysis and advice reports that remain clear and accessible to clients.

▪  Advanced experience using Voyant to build, test and interpret cashflow models for complex planning scenarios, including the ability to explain assumptions, sensitivities and limitations to Wealth Planners and colleagues.

▪  A rigorous approach to calculations, data quality, research, file documentation and checking.

▪  Ability to work independently on challenging cases while recognising when specialist input or escalation is required.

▪  Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance technical depth with agreed timescales.

▪  Credibility and communication skills to work effectively with Wealth Planners, Compliance, administrators and external professional advisers.

▪  Commitment to maintaining up-to-date regulatory, legislative and technical knowledge and sharing that knowledge with colleagues.

▪  Integrity, professionalism and reliability.

▪  Experience with Intelligent Office (iO), Synaptics Research, Defaqto Engage and IRESS Exchange is preferable.

▪  Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are desirable.

Contact Information

We are looking forward to receiving your online application.

For any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

LGT Wealth Management UK LLP
Human Resources
Katie Walker