Senior Trust Administrator

BMO • Chicago, IL

1d • $100,000 - $220,000

About The Position

The Senior Trust Administrator provides high-quality sales and service to Trust & Estate clients, delivers an exceptional client experience, and provides technical expertise in Trust & Estate account management and administration to ensure compliance. The role manages trust, agency, or probate accounts as trustee and may serve as Relationship Manager for assigned clients. It works collaboratively with branch and regional teams, supports fiduciary account management, identifies opportunities to grow existing relationships and develop new business, and makes appropriate referrals to other business groups.

The position contributes to business and financial goals through strategic analysis, initiative execution, program development, operational oversight, change management, communications, reporting, and stakeholder coordination. It serves as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations and policies and may support governance, vendor relationships, tools and training, and regulatory requirements. The administrator also provides sales and service support, administrative and financial reporting, reconciliation, compliance, trade activity, posting, fee collection, documentation, and administration decision support.

The role is accountable for high-quality service, relationship retention and growth, protecting client assets and privacy, acting in clients’ best interests, and complying with the bank’s risk framework and applicable policies, laws, and regulations. It operates at a group or enterprise-wide level and provides specialist support to senior leaders and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Typically 7 or more years of relevant experience and a post-secondary degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• In-depth or expert knowledge of Personal Trust Administration processes and procedures.
• In-depth or expert knowledge of Trust Tax, Trust Accounting, and Investment Management.
• In-depth or expert knowledge of fiduciary laws, including estate planning techniques and relevant tax regulations.
• Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience, and industry knowledge.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills.
• Expert analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Expert influence skills.
• Expert collaboration and team skills, with a focus on cross-group collaboration.
• Ability to manage ambiguity.
• Expert data-driven decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality sales and service to Trust & Estate clients and deliver an exceptional client experience.
• Manage trust, agency, or probate accounts in the role of trustee and provide technical expertise in Trust & Estate account management and administration.
• Support team members responsible for fiduciary account management and may act as Relationship Manager to assigned clients.
• Oversee content and marketing materials for new business proposals and ensure new business meets profitability, risk management, policy, and procedure requirements.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing relationships and develop new business; make client and prospect presentations and appropriate referrals.
• Make recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and initiatives based on business expertise and analysis.
• Manage resources and lead strategic initiatives, operational programs, and business/group processes to achieve business and financial goals.
• Analyze strategic issues, data, and performance; provide insights and recommendations, and address performance issues.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and ensure alignment.
• Coordinate databases and data integration in accordance with data governance standards; design and produce regular and ad hoc reports and dashboards.
• Lead change management activities, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation, and sustainment.
• Develop and coordinate communication strategies to influence or change behaviour and maintain consistency of messaging across BMO.
• Lead or participate in governance meetings and maintain governing body mandates, oversight, and approval guidelines.
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of tools and training; identify business needs and develop or deliver training programs.
• Act as a day-to-day contact for vendors, oversee vendor relationships and solutions, and support vendor contract negotiations.
• Maintain the Policies and Procedures Manual in response to internal and external changes.
• Provide administrative and sales and service support, including financial reports, asset and account reconciliation, compliance, trade activity, posting, fee collection, documentation, and administration decisions.
• Meet service standards, build client rapport and trust, and support relationship retention and growth.
• Follow risk and compliance processes, protect bank and customer assets, maintain privacy, act in clients’ best interests, and comply with applicable requirements.
• Apply the Risk Management Framework and make sound, risk-informed decisions aligned with business strategy and approved risk appetite.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Accident and life insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, and other perks and rewards may be included in the total compensation package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior