Senior Fiduciary Officer

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.

Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.

With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

The Senior Fiduciary Officer serves as both a Senior Relationship Advisor and Senior Fiduciary Manager, combining responsibility for complex wealth management client relationships with regional oversight of fiduciary, compliance, and risk matters. The role delivers proactive, advice-driven client service; applies extensive trust, tax, estate planning, financial planning, and investment knowledge; supports business growth; and provides leadership to relationship advisors and the broader market team. 

What You’ll Do:

Client Relationship Management & Advisory (Senior Relationship Advisor) 

Manage an assigned portfolio of wealth management clients by partnering with the client service team, clients, and their professional advisors to develop a thorough understanding of each client’s needs, goals, and priorities. 

Deliver focused and responsive client service with diplomacy and tact, maintaining proactive written and verbal communication at an appropriate frequency and demonstrating excellent time management. 

Lead client conversations using a Goals Driven Wealth Management approach and provide proactive advice regarding NT products and services, emerging issues, regulatory and tax changes, and appropriate client actions. 

Combine technical knowledge, fact-finding, and analysis to develop advice-driven solutions, and explain complex concepts thoughtfully using clear, non-technical language. 

Maintain a working knowledge of NT resources and apply fiduciary expertise, experience, and internal capabilities to identify opportunities to strengthen and expand client relationships. 

Fiduciary Expertise, Administration & Risk Management 

Demonstrate extensive knowledge of governing documents, account agreements, fiduciary duties, and applicable laws, including trust and tax law, estate planning techniques, financial planning, asset management, and prudent investment principles. 

Build and maintain knowledge of NT fiduciary standards and practices, applying sound fiduciary judgment to client relationships and account administration. 

Understand and comply with internal policies, processes, and procedures to support prudent risk management and decision-making. 

Recognize fiduciary risk issues, pursue timely and appropriate resolution, and engage trust counsel, the Regional CFO, and the Advisory Practice Leader when appropriate. 

Continue to develop fiduciary and advisory capabilities through training, education, and experience.

Regional Fiduciary Leadership (Senior Fiduciary Manager) 

Provide regional oversight of fiduciary, compliance, and risk matters, including ongoing monitoring, escalation, and resolution. 

Serve as a resource to advisors on day-to-day trust administration, risk management, compliance policies and measures, and Goals Driven Wealth Management implementation. 

Support the implementation of national initiatives and programs, and contribute fiduciary and advisory expertise to business development opportunities. 

Participate in the hiring process for relationship advisors and provide subject matter input for annual performance and compensation discussions, including observations regarding fiduciary expertise and adherence to best practices. 

Assist relationship advisors with the design and implementation of development plans. 

Participate, as requested, on fiduciary oversight committees, including account acceptance and discretionary action committees. 

Maintain a balanced, cross-functional perspective across disciplines and regions, partnering with the business to reduce risk and improve efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity. 

Business Development & Market Contribution 

Cultivate relationships with referral sources and centers of influence to build the business and identify new opportunities. 

Represent NT in community and professional organizations and identify opportunities to showcase the firm’s expertise and thought leadership. 

Lend fiduciary and advisory expertise to business development efforts and support team-based growth opportunities.

Leadership & Strategic Execution 

Participate in the development of the fiduciary strategic plan and establish goals and priorities consistent with the direction set for the unit, following through to ensure objectives are met. 

Provide leadership and guidance to staff, fostering an environment that encourages participation, teamwork, accountability, and communication. 

Demonstrate strong judgment, organizational leadership, and the ability to balance client, fiduciary, risk, and business priorities. 

What Will Make You Successful in the Role:

Extensive fiduciary expertise and sound judgment in administering complex trust and wealth management relationships. 

Ability to translate technical trust, tax, legal, estate planning, and investment concepts into clear, practical advice for clients and internal partners. 

Demonstrated strength in negotiation, problem resolution, delegation, leadership, and risk management. 

Ability to lead across functions and regions while building alignment among clients, professional advisors, internal partners, and oversight groups. 

Strong relationship-building and business development capabilities, with the confidence to represent NT in the market and professional community. 

Knowledge 

Broad knowledge of fiduciary and financial products and services, typically acquired through relevant work experience, is required to manage client accounts. 

Technical knowledge of investments, tax, legal, and operational matters, typically acquired through formal education or related experience, is required to serve clients effectively. 

Thorough knowledge of fiduciary standards, principles, and applicable laws and regulations, typically acquired through training, seminars, law school, or equivalent experience, is required to administer accounts. 

Proven negotiation, problem-resolution, delegation, and leadership skills are critical. 

Leadership and organizational skills are required to establish business unit goals, identify resource needs, and assess and develop staff capabilities. 

Experience 

Minimum 10 years of experience as a lead relationship manager in trust administration, estate administration, estate planning, or a related field. 

A legal background, or commensurate experience, is strongly preferred. 

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.