Associate Financial Advisor

At Ameriprise Financial, we’re not just in the business of helping clients with their financial goals – we also help our advisors and employees reach their true potential by embracing an inclusive and collaborative culture. We celebrate the unique qualities and reward the contributions of our talented, passionate employees. If you’re motivated and want to work for a strong, ethical company that cares about you and your community, take the next step with Ameriprise Financial. This position is with an Ameriprise Financial Franchise owner. Job Description An entrepreneurial opportunity for an emerging financial professional to build a client-centered business, develop as an advisor, contribute to the growth of an established practice, and earn consideration for future leadership and ownership opportunities through sustained performance and demonstrated success. This independent contractor opportunity is offered through an independent Ameriprise Financial franchise owner and is not an employee position with Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or the independent practice. Job Description Summary This is more than a traditional Associate Financial Advisor role. It is an independent contractor for business-development and advisor-development opportunities within an established financial planning practice affiliated with Ameriprise Financial. The selected independent professional will have the opportunity to build client relationships, contribute directly to practice growth, and progressively develop the knowledge, judgment, credentials, and business acumen needed to serve as a trusted financial advisor. The engagement is intended for an entrepreneurial individual who is motivated to build a business, create measurable value, and earn increasing responsibility over time. The successful candidate will be energized by both service and growth: strengthening client relationships, learning to translate goals into thoughtful planning, building new connections through referrals and educational outreach, and taking ownership of results. The practice owner will provide access to mentorship, business context, and developmental support while the independent contractor brings initiative, accountability, and disciplined execution. The scope of opportunity may expand as licensing milestones; performance standards, client readiness, practice growth, and business needs are met. What makes this opportunity distinctive: This opportunity is not designed simply to fill a seat or provide conventional staff support. It is intended for an independent, ownership-oriented professional who wants to build a book of relationships, contribute to an established practice, and create long-term enterprise value. Strong performance may lead to increasing responsibility and consideration for future leadership and potential ownership opportunities. Any leadership or ownership path is not guaranteed and must be earned through sustained performance, client impact, measurable practice growth, sound judgment, licensing progress, strategic alignment, and demonstrated success over time. Key Responsibilities: Develop, perform, and progress as an independent advisor · Engage in available mentorship, observation, feedback, and hands-on development opportunities with the practice owner and team while maintaining responsibility for personal preparation, execution, and results. · Own and complete required study, licensing, registration, and development milestones within agreed timelines and apply learning responsibly during the engagement. · Build proficiency in financial planning concepts, client discovery, meeting preparation, recommendations, follow-through, and practice operations. · Earn the opportunity to assume broader client-facing, growth, advisory, and leadership responsibilities when appropriately licensed, trained, authorized, and ready. Build trusted client relationships · Help create a proactive, responsive, and personalized client experience from initial contact through ongoing service. · Prepare for client meetings; gather, organize, and accurately enter client information; help create financial planning deliverables and follow-up items. · Communicate with professionalism and empathy, resolve service needs, and coordinate with appropriate partners to move client requests forward. · Document interactions and maintain complete, accurate records in accordance with practice procedures and applicable requirements. Contribute to financial planning and solutions · Support analysis of client goals, priorities, time horizons, and risk considerations. · Assist with case preparation, planning scenarios, illustrations, and suitable recommendations under appropriate supervision. · Help clients understand agreed next steps and track progress toward actions discussed with the advisory team. · Monitor assigned follow-ups and support periodic reviews, so plans and service remain aligned with client needs. Help grow the practice · Develop authentic professional relationships and cultivate a network of prospective clients and centers of influence. · Support and, as experience grows, help lead referral strategies, educational events, seminars, community outreach, and client appreciation activities. · Follow up with prospective clients in a timely, thoughtful manner and help convert interest into meaningful planning conversations. · Develop and execute growth initiatives aligned with the practice strategy, using entrepreneurial judgment, disciplined follow-through, and accountability for outcomes. Operate with an entrepreneurial and ownership-oriented mindset · Take accountability for commitments, communicate early when obstacles arise, and pursue solutions with sound judgment. · Identify opportunities to improve client service, workflows, quality, efficiency, and growth. · Independently manage time, priorities, and business-development activity while coordinating effectively with the practice on client commitments, regulatory obligations, and shared growth goals. · Protect client trust and the reputation of the practice through discretion, ethical conduct, and consistent follow-through. What success looks like · Clients experience dependable, thoughtful, and proactive service. · Licensing, development, and business-building commitments are completed with discipline, urgency, and personal accountability. · Prospective-client, referral, educational-event, and business-development activity is consistent, professional, measurable, and increasingly productive. · Services are delivered accurately, professionally, compliantly, and with strong follow-through, while agreed performance outcomes are met. · The candidate seeks feedback, learns quickly, applies coaching, and accepts accountability. · The independent contractor contributes to a collaborative, growth-minded culture and demonstrates readiness for broader responsibility and leadership. Key traits of a successful independent advisor and business builder: · We will consider candidates from financial services and adjacent relationship-driven fields. Character and long-term potential matter as much as a conventional resume. The strongest candidate will demonstrate: · Uncompromising integrity and respect for client confidentiality. · A service mindset and genuine interest in helping people make informed financial decisions. · Personal accountability, resilience, initiative, and maturity to own outcomes. · Strong interpersonal communication, active listening, and relationship-building ability. · Curiosity, coachability, and the discipline to study, practice, and improve. · An entrepreneurial orientation and comfort contributing to referrals, events, networking, and business development. · Organization, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities. · A long-term mindset and genuine interest in earning greater responsibility, leadership consideration, and potential future ownership oppo