Financial Planner – 12-Month Maternity Cover

We're looking for an ambitious Financial Planner to join our growing team. You'll have a minimum of five years' experience in financial advice, hold a Level 4 Diploma (or equivalent), and be committed to progressing towards Chartered status or obtained this already. This role is ideal for someone who wants to build trusted client relationships, deliver high-quality advice, and develop their career in a forward-thinking, supportive environment.

As part of Benchmark, you'll benefit from our award-winning technology, strong brand reputation, and clear progression opportunities. You'll work with a diverse client base, providing holistic financial planning and wealth management solutions that make a real difference.

• Deliver holistic financial planning and wealth management advice in line with regulatory standards.
• Conduct detailed fact finds and assess clients' current and future financial needs.
• Develop tailored recommendations across investments, pensions, protection, and tax planning.
• Prepare and present comprehensive financial plans and suitability reports.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships, ensuring exceptional service.
• Stay up to date with financial products, legislation, and best practice.
• Proactively manage your client portfolio and identify new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with paraplanners and administrators for accurate and timely client work.
• Contribute to the development of the practice and mentor junior colleagues.
• Commit to personal development and work towards Chartered status with full support.

Qualifications:

• Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (or equivalent).
• Working towards or aspiring to Chartered status.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years as a practising Financial Planner within an advisory practice.
• Proven ability to analyse client goals and deliver lifetime planning strategies.
• Comfortable conducting annual client reviews electronically and in person.

Technical Expertise:

• Strong knowledge of tax-efficient investments, pensions, retirement planning, and protection.
• Understanding of compliance, legal, and regulatory frameworks.

Skills & Attributes:

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• High attention to detail and strong organisational ability.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365, Teams, CRM systems, and compliance platforms.

Desirable:

• Expertise in pensions, trusts, or long-term care.
• Memberships or accreditations with professional bodies such as STEP, SOLLA, or Resolution.

You'll be based at our regional office in Derry, Northern Ireland. This office is a vibrant hub where collaboration and innovation come together. Located in a lively city setting with easy access to local amenities, it offers a welcoming and professional atmosphere for our team.

The workspace is equipped with modern facilities and resources to support your role and enhance productivity. We prioritise work-life balance and believe this location fosters a strong sense of community and support for all team members.

Benchmark is one of the UK's leading financial planning businesses, aiming to help our clients realise aspirations and achieve peace of mind. We do this through our unique business model which provides supports to over 1000 financial planners through our technology led platform across our employed, self-employed and independent segments. The solutions are award-winning, enabled by proprietary technology covering regulatory, platform and investment services, all of which are designed to support advisers at every step of their journey – from starting their career, improving how they run productively and effectively, to accelerating its growth and ultimately thinking about succession planning.

We operate offices across the UK, and have rapid expansion plans, and are highly acquisitive having made over 50 acquisitions over the last few years. We also provide integrated solutions incorporating our own investment, pension, platform, technology and compliance services.

As a financial planning business, we help people realise their aspirations and achieve peace of mind, and therefore ensuring good client outcomes is central to decision making. Our regulatory requirement to achieve positive consumer outcomes and to treat client fairly are embedded within our organisation, and we take responsibility for embracing and promoting our duty of care to all clients, including those who may be more vulnerable than others.

As part of the Schroders Plc Group, and the Schroders Wealth Division, Benchmark sits within the UK largest listed asset manager with over £750bn of assets. Benchmark has the benefit of having a focussed business model with clear accountability with the benefits of being part of one of the UK's largest financial services businesses.

We're looking for the best, whoever they are

We know that diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture where all can succeed lead to better decisions and stronger outcomes for the company its clients and its employees. That's why inclusion and diversity are strategic priorities for us. We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer. You're welcome at Benchmark regardless of your age, disability, gender identity or expression, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background. We're building a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.