Corporate Trust Officer (Level I, II, or III)

Bank of Utah • Salt Lake City, UT

27d • Onsite

About The Position

The Corporate Trust Officer provides legal oversight and transactional support for aircraft trust and other specialized corporate trust transactions administered by Bank of Utah. This position will also assume relationship responsibilities and have a strategic business development role within the team, working with the rest of the legal team to develop strategies and manage client experience and expectations. It would be expected that the Corporate Trust Officer will be able to partner with account administration, operations, and clients to structure, negotiate, review, and close domestic and international aircraft trust transactions while protecting the Bank's interests and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. The Corporate Trust Officer serves as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders and clients, balancing legal risk management with business objectives to support the continued growth and success of the Corporate Trust Department. This role has a unique blend of balancing legal risk and making business decisions while working together with the team to be strategic about growth and maintaining the reputation of the best trustee in the industry. Responsibilities include reviewing and negotiating governing documents, identifying and mitigating legal and operational risks, supporting new business opportunities, and mentoring less experienced legal professionals as appropriate.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze legal documents and identify risks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to learn, namely, complex aircraft trust structures and transaction documentation.
• Collaborative work style and commitment to client service.
• Driven to be the best in the industry.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Working knowledge of trust structures, UCC filings, corporate entities, and transaction closing processes.
• Experience managing client relationships and serving as primary legal counsel on transactions.
• Ability to independently negotiate transaction documents.
• Strong risk assessment and risk mitigation skills.
• Ability to mentor junior attorneys and staff.
• Demonstrated business development and relationship management capabilities.
• Sound judgment and decision-making abilities.
• Extensive experience negotiating and closing sophisticated domestic and international aircraft trust transactions.
• Proven track record of managing legal risk while facilitating business growth.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a legal, financial services, or corporate trust environment.
• Subject matter expertise in aircraft trust transactions and aviation-related legal structures.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
• Ability to lead complex negotiations involving multiple parties and jurisdictions.
• Experience mentoring legal professionals and influencing organizational strategy.
• Strong communication and executive presence with clients, regulators, auditors, and senior management.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to transactional law, finance, equipment finance, aviation law, secured transactions, trusts, or commercial contracts (Level I).
• Practicing law in banking, finance, corporate transactions, aviation finance, equipment leasing, secured lending, trust administration, or related fields (Level II).
• Significant focus in aviation finance, equipment finance, banking law, trust services, structured finance, or corporate transactions (Level III).

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate aircraft trust agreements, owner trust agreements, trust supplements, security documents, service agreements, indemnities, and related transaction documents.
• Identify legal, operational, financial, and reputational risks associated with proposed transactions.
• Provide legal guidance regarding trust structures, entity formation, ownership arrangements, and financing transactions.
• Evaluate proposed transactions and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as legal counsel for aircraft trust transactions from initial proposal through closing and ongoing administration.
• Coordinate with clients, law firms, lenders, lessors, borrowers, airlines, trustees, and other transaction parties.
• Facilitate transaction closings and ensure satisfaction of all legal and documentary requirements.
• Support onboarding of new trust accounts by identifying and documenting the Bank's obligations and responsibilities.
• Ensure transactions comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Review representations, warranties, indemnification provisions, liability limitations, and other risk-related provisions.
• Monitor developments in trust and corporate law affecting department operations.
• Assist with audits, regulatory examinations, compliance reviews, and internal governance initiatives.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned clients and transaction counterparties.
• Provide practical solutions that support client needs while protecting the Bank's interests.
• Participate in client meetings, industry conferences, and business development opportunities.
• Support efforts to expand existing client relationships and attract new business.
• Work closely with Corporate Trust Account Administrators, business development officers, operations staff, and executive management.
• Develop and maintain legal standards, templates, and best practices.
• Provide legal training and mentorship to less experienced attorneys and trust professionals.
• Contribute to department strategy, policy development, and process improvement.
• Travel as necessary to support client relationships, events, and transaction closings.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Great work-life balance, with a Monday-Friday schedule
• Competitive pay and benefits, including medical, dental and vision plans
• 401(k) plan and match up to 5 percent in our employee stock ownership program (eligibility requirements must be met)
• 12 paid bank holidays + paid time off, including paid parental leave
• Volunteer opportunities to make a difference in the communities where you work and live
• Awards and recognition to celebrate you and your colleagues for living the bank's values

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree