Senior IRA Specialist

Job Description Summary

The Senior IRA Specialist requires advanced expertise in qualified retirement plans and IRAs, gained through extensive experience, specialized training, and/or certification. Operating with minimal supervision, the specialist will provide comprehensive support to financial advisors, branches, internal associates, and departments. Key responsibilities include leading training initiatives to enhance quality and effectiveness, managing moderately complex projects, and serving as a technical advisor across teams. The ideal candidate will demonstrate originality and sound judgment in evaluating and resolving intricate issues, often requiring innovative solutions. Success in this role depends on strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain extensive contact with both internal and external clients to identify, research, and resolve problems efficiently and professionally.
This position follows our hybrid-friendly schedule, so you get the best of both worlds – flexibility and collaboration. In office days will be 3 per week averaging 12 days per month in one of the following locations: St. Petersburg, FL, Memphis, TN , or Southfield, MI.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities and Skills:

• Actively participate in department and cross‑functional projects, contributing subject‑matter expertise on customer processes, regulatory requirements, operational workflows, and IRS‑related rules or documentation standards.
• Identify and report instances of noncompliance with organizational policies, regulatory guidelines, and/or IRS‑related rules, escalating issues appropriately to ensure corrective actions and audit readiness.
• Provide advanced product and service information, incorporating regulatory or IRS‑specific detail when relevant, and respond to complex customer questions with accuracy and clarity.
• Manage and resolve escalated customer issues with a high degree of independence and judgment; provide managerial approvals and regulatory compliance checks as required.
• Deliver a consistently high‑quality service experience while identifying opportunities to support business retention, improve operational processes, or enhance compliance. Responsibilities may include case processing, handling complex or sensitive inquiries, and performing detailed research to resolve client problems.
• Operates with full competence and independence in delivering high‑quality services that meet operational, regulatory, and IRS‑related requirements; may provide technical guidance or training to others.
• Fully proficient in aligning organizational processes with customer needs while ensuring adherence to regulatory expectations and project deliverables.
• Demonstrates strong ability to translate customer requirements into business language and processes, incorporating compliance, documentation, and IRS‑appropriate considerations.
• Builds and strengthens customer relationships by delivering positive, compliant, and accurate service experiences; may mentor or guide peers on best practices, regulatory awareness, or workflow improvements.

Other Responsibilities

• Identify, within the team, instances of noncompliance with the organization's policies and procedures and/or relevant regulatory codes and codes of conduct, reporting these instances and escalating issues as appropriate.

• Provide advanced product/service information and respond to complex customer questions about the product/service.

• Respond to more advanced issue escalations promptly and appropriately; provide managerial approvals as required.

• Provide a quality service to clients while identifying opportunities to secure new business or support retention. Responsibilities may include processing cases, dealing with complex queries, and investigating and resolving client problems.

Knowledge of:

• Rules and regulations of the IRS and DOL pertaining to IRAs and qualified plans
• Fundamental financial planning and investment concepts, practices and procedures used in the securities industry
• Principles of securities industry operations and financial services and products

Other Skills:

• Works to deliver required services to clients to the required standards. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.

• Works to orient the organization around delivering to the key needs of clients. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.

• Works to articulate client needs in the client's business language and business context. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.

• Works  to connect with clients to strengthen the relationship, meeting personal needs through positive client experiences. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.

While the following certifications are not required for this role, they are highly beneficial and strongly encouraged:

• Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 99 – Operations Professional
• FINRA Series 7 – General Securities Representative
• Certified Investment Services Professional (CISP)

Education

Bachelor’s: Accounting, Bachelor’s: Business Administration, Bachelor’s: Finance, High School (HS) (Required)

Work Experience

General Experience - 3 to 6 years

Certifications

Securities Industry Essentials Exam (SIE) - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)

Travel

Less than 25%

Workstyle

Hybrid

The total compensation for this position includes base salary or wages, and may include components such as additional compensation (cash or equity), discretionary bonuses, or commissions. This position is eligible for a benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision; life insurance; critical illness insurance and accident insurance; disability benefits; retirement savings; paid time off (including vacation, holidays, and sick leave); and parental leave.  Eligibility for benefits and specific offerings may vary based on position and employment status. To view more details of the benefits offered, visit Myrjbenefits.com.

At Raymond James our associates use five guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) to deliver on the firm's core values of client-first, integrity, independence and a conservative, long-term view. 
We expect our associates at all levels to:
•  Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
•  Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes
•  Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
•  Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
•  Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm

At Raymond James – as part of our people-first culture, we honor, value, and respect the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all of our Associates.  When associates bring their best authentic selves, our organization, clients, and communities thrive. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs. 

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