Sr. Fiduciary Officer

Northern Trust • San Diego, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889. Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service. The Senior Fiduciary Officer, serving as Senior Relationship Advisor, is responsible for the delivery of comprehensive fiduciary wealth management services to complex client relationships while also serving as a senior fiduciary leader for the region. This role combines primary relationship management responsibilities with regional fiduciary oversight, risk management, and advisory leadership, ensuring alignment with Northern Trust fiduciary standards, regulatory requirements, and strategic objectives.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of experience as a lead relationship manager in trust administration, estate administration, estate planning, or related fiduciary disciplines.
• Broad knowledge of fiduciary and financial products and services, typically acquired through substantial related experience, required to manage complex client relationships.
• Technical knowledge of investments, tax, legal, and operational considerations, generally acquired through formal education or relevant experience.
• Thorough understanding of fiduciary standards, principles, and applicable laws and regulations, developed through experience, training, seminars, or formal legal education.
• Proven skills in negotiation, problem resolution, delegation, and leadership.
• Strong organizational and leadership capabilities to establish priorities, allocate resources, and assess and develop staff.
• Strong fiduciary judgment combined with advanced relationship management and advisory skills.
• Ability to lead complex client conversations and regional fiduciary initiatives with credibility and influence.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and organizational skills across client, advisor, and risk stakeholders.
• High degree of professionalism, adaptability, and accountability in a regulated fiduciary environment.

Nice To Haves

• Legal background or commensurate fiduciary experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned account base of wealth management clients by working in partnership with client service teams, clients, and their professional advisors to develop a thorough understanding of client needs and goals.
• Deliver responsive, proactive, and client‑focused service with appropriate frequency through written and verbal communication, exercising diplomacy, tact, and sound judgment.
• Lead client conversations under the Goals Driven Wealth Management framework, providing proactive advice related to Northern Trust products and services, emerging planning considerations, and regulatory or tax changes.
• Combine technical expertise with fact‑finding and analysis to develop advice‑driven, customized solutions that address client objectives.
• Explain complex fiduciary, trust, tax, investment, and planning concepts clearly and effectively using non‑technical language.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Northern Trust resources and partner as appropriate to identify opportunities to enhance and deepen client relationships.
• Demonstrate deep knowledge of governing documents, account agreements, fiduciary duties, and applicable laws, including trust and tax law, estate planning techniques, prudent investment principles, asset management, and financial planning.
• Apply fiduciary judgment and Northern Trust fiduciary standards to administer accounts prudently while identifying, escalating, and resolving fiduciary and risk matters appropriately.
• Adhere to internal policies, processes, and procedures to ensure effective risk management and compliance with regulatory and fiduciary requirements.
• Pursue continued development of fiduciary and advisory expertise through training and experience.
• Provide regional oversight of fiduciary, compliance, and risk matters, including ongoing monitoring, consultation, and resolution.
• Serve as a resource to Relationship Advisors on day‑to‑day fiduciary, trust administration, risk management, and compliance matters, including aspects of Goals Driven Wealth Management implementation.
• Engage trust counsel and Regional CFO and Advisory Practice Leader, as appropriate, on fiduciary and risk matters.
• Support implementation of national initiatives and programs and provide fiduciary expertise in business development efforts.
• Participate in hiring processes for Relationship Advisors and contribute input to performance, compensation, and development discussions, with a focus on fiduciary expertise and adherence to best practices.
• Participate, as requested, on fiduciary oversight committees, including account acceptance and discretionary action committees.
• Maintain a balanced, cross‑functional perspective across disciplines and regions to reduce risk and improve operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to the development of fiduciary strategic plans, establishing goals and priorities aligned with business unit direction and ensuring execution of objectives.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff, fostering an environment that promotes collaboration, teamwork, communication, and employee development.
• Cultivate relationships with referral sources and centers of influence to support new business development.
• Represent Northern Trust in community and professional organizations, identifying opportunities to showcase fiduciary expertise and thought leadership.

Benefits

• retirement benefits (401k and pension)
• health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability)
• paid time off
• parental and caregiver leave
• life & accident insurance
• other voluntary and well-being benefits
• discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed