Manager, Estate Settlement Advisor – Commerce Trust

About Working at Commerce 

Building a career here is more than just steps on a ladder. It’s about helping people find financial safety and success, helping businesses thrive, and making sure people and their money are taken care of. And our commitment doesn’t stop there. Our culture is about our people, the ones in our communities and the ones that work with us.  

Here, you’ll find opportunities to grow and learn, to connect with others, and build relationships with the people around you. You’ll have the space and resources to grow into the best version of yourself. Because our number one investment is you.

Creating an award-winning culture doesn't come easy. And after 160 years, we know Commerce Bank is only at its best when our people are. If this sounds interesting to you, keep reading and let’s talk. 

Compensation Range

For more than a century, Commerce Trust has been a leading provider of wealth management services including financial planning, estate and tax planning, investment management, private banking and trust administration services. Our approach to wealth management means assembling a team of seasoned wealth management professionals across disciplines who collaborate to ensure each client’s financial journey is uniquely crafted for their goals. Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.

About This Job

The main purpose of this job is to be responsible for leading a team of Estate Settlement Advisors while serving as a senior advisor on complex estate settlement engagements involving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and families.

This role partners closely with Private Client Advisors, Portfolio Managers and other specialists to guide families through the estate settlement process while strengthening multigenerational relationships. The Manager serves as both a subject matter expert and people leader, ensuring exceptional client service, fiduciary excellence, operational efficiency, and achievement of business objectives.

Essential Functions

• Manage a portfolio of highly complex estate settlement engagements involving significant family wealth, multiple entities, trusts, beneficiaries, tax considerations, and fiduciary relationships

• Serve as primary relationship lead during estate settlement engagements and provide guidance to beneficiaries, family members, co-fiduciaries, attorneys, accountants, and other professional advisors

• Develop and maintain relationships with next-generation family members and beneficiaries to support long-term client retention and future business opportunities

• Partner with Private Client Advisors and Wealth Management Consultants to identify opportunities for asset retention, relationship expansion, and new business development

• Participate in client and prospect meetings to demonstrate Commerce Trust's estate settlement expertise and fiduciary capabilities

• Lead due diligence efforts associated with trustee appointments, personal representative appointments, and agency relationships

• Interpret governing documents, applicable law, fiduciary obligations, and tax considerations to establish and administer estate settlement engagements

• Collaborate with internal partners to coordinate investment management, liquidity planning, trust administration, tax preparation, and beneficiary distributions

• Achieve assigned annual revenue goals through a combination of new fee generation, asset retention, and asset growth initiatives

• Partner with Private Client Advisors and Wealth Management Consultants to identify opportunities that deepen client relationships and expand Commerce Trust services

• Support business development activities through client presentations, center-of-influence meetings, educational events, and prospect engagements

• Lead, mentor and motivate team members to implement the department strategy and manage department workflow with guidance on departmental projects/issues, and provide coaching and development opportunities appropriate to each direct report's individual needs

• Perform all necessary management functions, including hiring, evaluations, annual increase allocations and disciplinary action as required

• Communicate decisions, priorities and relevant information to team members effectively

• Support budget management, planning and expenditure

• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Advanced knowledge of estate settlement, fiduciary administration, trust services, wealth transfer planning, taxation, and family wealth dynamics

• Proven ability to communicate complex fiduciary, legal, tax, and financial concepts to clients, beneficiaries, and professional advisors

• Demonstrated success building trusted relationships with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and relationship management skills

• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively to clients, family members, and professional advisors

• Strong presentation, business development, and consultative selling skills

• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to apply discretion and sound judgement to efficiently and effectively solve problems

• Ability to drive results and balance management of organizational risk and meeting goals of the business

• Strong leadership skills with ability to motivate team members and foster a positive team environment that gives way to collaboration and unified goals

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills with the ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the company, clearly expressing ideas and concepts both verbally and in writing

• Ability to remain adaptable and resilient to all situations with an optimistic outlook and cast a positive shadow that is aligned with our culture and Core Values

• Intermediate level proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required

• 7+ years of advancing experience in estate settlement, trust administration, fiduciary services, estate planning, private wealth management, or related disciplines required

• 3+ years leadership/supervisory experience required

• Experience working directly with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and families required

• Demonstrated track record of business development, client retention, and relationship growth preferred

• Estate, Gift, Fiduciary, and Income Tax Return Experience preferred

• CFP®, CTFA®, CPA, JD, or equivalent advanced designation preferred

***For individuals applying, assigned and/or hired to work in areas with pay transparency requirements, Commerce is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for some roles.  This compensation range is for the Manager, Estate Settlement – CTC job and contemplates a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to location, skill sets, education, relevant experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable differentials (geographic, bilingual, or shift) that could be associated with the position or where it is filled. At Commerce, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each situation. A reasonable estimate of the current base pay is $137,000 to $163,000 annually. This position will be eligible for additional compensation through performance-based incentive plan(s) that will correspond to meeting performance goals.

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The candidate selected for this position may be eligible for the following employment benefits: employer sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), life insurance, paid vacation, and paid personal time. In addition, we offer career development, education assistance, and voluntary supplemental benefits.  Click here to learn more.

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