Senior Estate Settlement Officer

Fifth Third Bank • Birmingham, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Estate Settlement Officer serves as a senior subject matter expert in the administration and settlement of complex decedent estates and trusts. This role requires advanced expertise in estate planning documents, probate procedures, tax implications, and fiduciary responsibilities. The Senior Officer leads estate strategy, manages high-value and sensitive relationships, and oversees complex legal and tax matters. This role also provides leadership and mentorship to Estate Settlement Officers and Associates, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to fiduciary standards across the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or professional designation (e.g., JD, CPA, CTFA) preferred.
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in fiduciary administration, estate settlement, or related legal/tax advisory roles.
• Proven experience managing complex estates and high-net-worth client relationships.
• Advanced Estate Planning Expertise: Deep knowledge of estate planning structures, probate law, and fiduciary principles to guide complex administration.
• Strategic Thinking & Analysis: Ability to assess legal, financial, and tax implications across multi-faceted estate structures.
• Executive Communication: Skilled in navigating sensitive conversations and delivering clear, confident guidance to clients and advisors.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Experience guiding junior team members and fostering a culture of fiduciary excellence.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite and internal platforms such as CRM, ShareFile, and estate workflow tools.

Nice To Haves

• Client Service Excellence: Ability to deliver high-touch service to sophisticated clients with discretion and responsiveness.
• Team Leadership & Oversight: Proven ability to lead and mentor Estate Settlement Officers and Associates.
• Fiduciary Judgment: Confidence in making complex fiduciary decisions and navigating risk with sound judgment.
• Compliance & Risk Awareness: Deep understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks with a proactive approach to risk mitigation.
• Operational Mastery: Ability to manage multiple estates, vendors, and internal systems with precision and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Estate Administration & Planning: Lead the interpretation and execution of complex estate planning documents, including multi-generational trusts, family partnerships, and charitable structures. Oversee asset analysis and administration to ensure liquidity, tax efficiency, and proper allocation of income, expenses, and liabilities. Guide estate planning decisions through review of tax filings, asset valuations, and legal documentation.
• Client Engagement & Relationship Management: Serve as primary fiduciary contact for high-net-worth beneficiaries, family offices, attorneys, and tax professionals. Manage sensitive family dynamics and complex relationships with discretion and empathy. Partner with internal teams (WMAs, STAs, SIAs, UAs) to deliver coordinated and proactive client service.
• Legal, Tax & Compliance Oversight: Direct probate proceedings, legal filings, and statutory deadlines for complex estates. Oversee preparation and filing of federal and state estate tax returns; lead tax planning strategies across multiple tax years and jurisdictions. Review and execute legal documents related to probate, litigation, and fiduciary accounting.
• Risk Management & Fiduciary Leadership: Make high-level fiduciary decisions regarding distributions, reserves, and estate closure timing. Identify and escalate complex risk, ethical, or discretionary matters; manage litigation in collaboration with counsel. Serve as escalation point for fiduciary decisions made by Estate Officers and Associates.
• Operational Oversight & Team Leadership: Lead estate tracking workflow and ensure completion of all required tasks across multiple estates. Finalize estate settlement fees and ensure CRM reflects fee opportunities and billing accuracy. Draft and review internal forms and correspondence; oversee document handling and execution. Hire, manage, and evaluate external vendors; provide oversight and guidance to Estate Settlement Officers and Associates.

Benefits

• Our Total Rewards include comprehensive benefits and differentiated compensation offerings to give each employee the opportunity to be their best every day.
• Our extensive benefits programs are designed to support the individual needs of our employees and their families, encompassing physical, financial, emotional and social well-being.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees