Senior Vice President, Trust Officer

Description

The Senior Trust Officer is a seasoned fiduciary leader responsible for the independent administration and strategic oversight of complex trust and fiduciary relationships. This role serves as a primary advisor to high-net-worth clients and families, ensuring all trust activities are executed with precision, sound judgment, and strict adherence to fiduciary standards.

Positioned between VP and SVP Managing Director, the SVP Senior Trust Officer is expected to operate autonomously on complex relationships, mentor junior staff, and contribute meaningfully to client retention, risk management, and selective growth initiatives, while maintaining institutional-grade fiduciary discipline.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities to be performed with or without accommodation

1. Advance Trust Administration & Fiduciary Leadership

• Independently administer a portfolio of complex fiduciary relationships, including: 
  • Multi-generational family trusts 
  • Directed and discretionary trusts 
  • Estate settlements and special assets (as applicable) 
• Interpret complex governing documents and exercise discretionary authority where appropriate. 
• Ensure all actions align with fiduciary duty, governing documents, and applicable laws. 

2. Lead Client Relationship Management

• Serve as primary relationship manager for high-net-worth and complex client relationships. 
• Provide consultative guidance on: 
  • Trust structures and administration 
  • Wealth transfer strategies 
  • Fiduciary governance 
• Lead client meetings and coordinate across internal and external advisors (attorneys, CPAs, RIAs). 
• Manage sensitive family dynamics and complex client scenarios with professionalism and discretion. 

3. Investment Oversight & Strategic Alignment

• Partner closely with Portfolio Managers to: 
  • Align investment strategy with trust objectives and distribution needs 
  • Ensure compliance with fiduciary standards (prudent investor rule) 
• Review portfolio positioning and escalate concerns where appropriate. 
• Participate in internal investment or trust committee discussions as needed. 

4. Risk Management & Fiduciary Governance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate fiduciary and operational risks across assigned relationships. 
• Ensure clear documentation and defensibility of all discretionary decisions. 
• Proactively escalate complex or high-risk matters to senior leadership or Trust Committee. 
• Maintain a strong understanding of fiduciary liability and regulatory expectations.      

5. Compliance & Regulatory Adherence

• Maintain working knowledge of: 
  • State trust statutes (e.g., Kansas, Missouri, Ohio as applicable) 
  • Federal fiduciary standards 
  • Tax implications impacting trusts and beneficiaries 
• Ensure adherence to internal policies, audit standards, and regulatory requirements. 
• Support regulatory exams and internal audits as needed. 

6. Documentation, Reporting & Audit Readiness

• Ensure accurate and complete maintenance of: 
  • Trust agreements and amendments 
  • Fiduciary decision records 
  • Client communications 
• Oversee delivery of high-quality client reporting. 
• Maintain audit-ready files consistent with institutional standards. 

7. Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate with: 
  • Investment Management 
  • Tax & Accounting 
  • Operations / Trust Administration 
  • Legal & Compliance 
• Serve as a key escalation point for complex client or fiduciary issues. 
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, workflows, and service delivery. 

8. Mentorship & Team Development

• Provide guidance and mentorship to: 
  • Trust Officers (VP level) 
  • Trust Administrators / Associates 
• Assist in developing team capabilities and elevating fiduciary standards. 
• Contribute to training and knowledge sharing within the trust organization. 

9. Business Development & Growth Contribution

• Support organic growth through: 
  • Deepening existing client relationships 
  • Identifying cross-sell opportunities 
• Participate in select prospect meetings alongside senior leadership. 
• Maintain and develop relationships with centers of influence (COIs). 

Requirements

  Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, or related field required 
• Professional certifications preferred or in progress: 
  • CTFA (Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor) 
  • CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) 
  • CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) 
• Advanced degree (JD, MBA, or related) is a plus but not required 

Experience

 7–10+ years of experience in: 

• Trust administration 
• Fiduciary services 
• Wealth or estate planning 

· Proven ability to manage complex trust relationships independently 

· Experience in a trust company, bank trust department, or multi-family office strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities required to perform essential functions

• Trust structures and fiduciary responsibilities 
• Estate and tax considerations 
• Investment principles and portfolio oversight 
• Experience with trust accounting and reporting systems (e.g., Advantage, FIS,) 
• Strong analytical and documentation capabilities 

Leadership & Core Competencies

• Advanced fiduciary judgment and decision-making ability 
• Strong client relationship and communication skills 
• Ability to manage complex, sensitive client situations 
• High attention to detail and organizational discipline 
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capability 
• Unquestionable integrity and professionalism 

Performance Expectations

• Independent management of complex fiduciary relationships with minimal oversight 
• High client satisfaction, retention, and relationship expansion 
• Strong documentation supporting fiduciary decisions and audit readiness 
• Minimal compliance or operational exceptions 
• Active contribution to team development and knowledge sharing 
• Measurable contribution to organic growth initiatives

Work Environment and Physical Demands required to perform essential functions

· Moderate noise (business office with computers, phone, printers, light traffic)

· Ability to sit at a computer for an extended period of time

· Regularly required to sit, stand, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and telephone

· Specific vision abilities include close vision requirements due to computer work

Midwest Trust Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer