Vice President, Trust Officer

Purpose

The Vice President, Trust Officer is responsible for the administration and oversight of fiduciary relationships, delivering high-quality trust services to individuals, families, and institutional clients. This role serves as both a fiduciary decision-maker and relationship manager, ensuring trust accounts are administered in accordance with governing documents, applicable laws, and firm policies.

The VP, Trust Officer operates as a developing leader within the trust organization, managing moderately complex relationships, supporting senior officers on high-value accounts, and contributing to client retention and growth while maintaining strict adherence to fiduciary standards and risk controls.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities to be performed with or without accommodation

1. Trust Administration & Fiduciary Execution

• Administer a portfolio of trust accounts, including:
• Revocable and irrevocable trusts
• Directed and discretionary trusts
• Estate and agency accounts
• Interpret and apply trust provisions to ensure proper execution of:
• Distributions and disbursements
• Beneficiary communications
• Administrative actions
• Ensure all activities comply with governing documents and fiduciary standards.

2. Client Relationship Management

• Serve as primary relationship contact for assigned clients (or co-contact on complex relationships).
• Build strong client relationships through:
• Responsive communication
• Proactive service delivery
• Understanding client goals and family dynamics
• Coordinate client meetings, prepare materials, and manage follow-up execution.

3. Investment Oversight & Coordination

• Partner with Portfolio Managers to:
• Align investment strategy with trust objectives and risk tolerance
• Monitor account performance and cash needs
• Ensure investment activities are consistent with:
• Trust document requirements
• Fiduciary obligations (prudent investor standards)

4. Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and escalate fiduciary, operational, or client risks.
• Maintain thorough documentation of:
• Discretionary decisions
• Client instructions
• Exception handling
• Ensure compliance with:
• State trust laws
• Internal policies and procedures
• Audit and regulatory expectations

5. Documentation, Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate trust records, including:
• Trust agreements and amendments
• Account activity and transaction history
• Review and deliver client reporting:
• Account statements
• Administrative summaries
• Support audit readiness through complete and defensible files.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with internal teams including:
• Investment Management
• Tax & Accounting
• Operations / Trust Administration
• Legal & Compliance
• Assist in resolving client issues and improving workflows across departments.

7. Client Service & Operational Support

• Respond to client inquiries, service requests, and account maintenance needs.
• Coordinate:
• Account openings and asset transfers
• Distributions and cash movements
• Ensure timely and accurate execution of all service-related activities.

8. Growth & Business Development Support

• Identify opportunities to:
• Expand existing client relationships
• Introduce additional services
• Support senior officers in:
• Prospect meetings
• Centers of influence (COI) relationship development (attorneys, CPAs, RIAs)

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

• 4–7 years of experience in:
• Trust administration
• Wealth management
• Estate planning or fiduciary services
• Experience within a trust company, bank trust department, or RIA platform preferred
• Exposure to client-facing responsibilities and fiduciary decision-making required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities required to perform essential functions

Technical & Functional Knowledge

• Understanding of:
• Trust structures and fiduciary responsibilities
• Basic tax implications of trusts and estates
• Investment principles and portfolio construction
• Experience with trust accounting systems (e.g., SEI, FIS, Addvantage) preferred
• Strong Microsoft Office skills

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and organizational discipline
• Effective communication and relationship management
• Sound judgment and developing fiduciary decision-making capability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
• High ethical standards and commitment to confidentiality

Performance Expectations

• Accurate and timely administration of assigned trust accounts
• High client satisfaction and responsiveness
• Strong documentation supporting fiduciary decisions
• Minimal operational or compliance exceptions
• Effective collaboration across internal teams
• Demonstrated progression toward managing more complex relationships

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