Senior Trust & Estate Settlement Officer

About The Role

At Baird Trust, our Estate Settlement Professionals play a vital role in guiding families through one of life’s most challenging transitions. We manage every aspect of settling a decedent’s personal and financial affairs—from collecting and safeguarding assets to paying estate expenses, filing tax returns, and distributing assets in accordance with the estate plan. Our team also serves as a central point of coordination among beneficiaries and the decedent’s financial, legal, and tax advisors. Throughout the process, we prioritize clear, transparent communication to ensure clients and beneficiaries feel informed and supported every step of the way.

The Impact You’ll Make

• Manages a book of client accounts including investment agent accounts, irrevocable trusts, IRAs, estate, administrative trust, and other account types, providing high quality estate and trust administration and service for high-net-worth clients.
• Leads client meetings and travels within a multi-state region.
• Knowledge of: tax filing for estates/trusts, recipient records, gifting of cash/securities, meeting material preparation, distribution processing (wires, checks, ACH), bill payment, records management, and assisting with online access.
• Intermediate knowledge of: asset transfers, account opening/closing, special assets, discretionary distributions, annual reviews.
• Participates in projects and/or provides oversight of new initiatives, systems, products/services and processes.
• Prompt attention to open items and tasks to be performed.
• Gather and utilize appropriate information and take urgent action in correcting problems and concerns.
• Schedules appointments, maintains calendar, and schedules and coordinates meetings, events and/or travel arrangements.
• Establishes, updates, and maintains files, and implements and maintains data management systems, as required.
• Secure and manage real and personal property assets of estates and/or trusts.
• Collaborate with attorneys, accountants, appraisers, realtors and other professionals.
• Assist in the preparation and review of federal and state estate and inheritance tax returns, gift tax returns, personal income tax returns, and fiduciary income tax returns.
  
  

What You’ll Bring To Baird

• Extensive expertise in trust administration and estate settlement, with practical experience working with trust documents, Wills, Codicils, and advanced trust accounting systems such as TrustDesk (preferred).
• Proficient in efficient file management and highly skilled in the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently deliver outstanding client service and effectively utilize office technology and software for communication, organization, and collaboration.
• Strong customer care focus, with strengths in building positive relationships, creative problem-solving, and excelling in both planning and administrative tasks.
• Clear and articulate communicator—both written and verbal—capable of preparing impactful reports and correspondence for colleagues, clients, service providers, and families.
• Sharp analytical and research skills enable swift and accurate resolution of questions.
• Exceptional organizational abilities and time management skills support effective prioritization and consistent deadline achievement.
• Collaborative team player who drives shared goals and fosters a supportive work environment.
• Ensures all activities comply with legal, regulatory, and company standards, while handling data and numbers with precision.
  
  

Educational/Previous Experience

• High School diploma required.
• Paralegal or Post-secondary degree preferred.
• 5-7 years minimum experience in estate and/or trust administration.
  
  

Licenses/Certifications

CTFA or JD a plus