Sr. Trust Strategist

Baird•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

Make a meaningful impact on clients, families and future generations as a Trust Strategist with Baird Trust Company. You will partner with Baird Financial Advisors to deliver customizable trust and investment management solutions that help clients build, protect and transfer wealth. As a trusted expert in sophisticated trust, estate and tax planning, you will help high-net-worth clients navigate complex decisions, strengthen relationships with their professional advisors and create strategies tailored to their current and future needs. You will collaborate with Estate Settlement Officers, Trust Officers, Portfolio Managers and other specialists across Baird to bring those strategies to life.

Requirements

A minimum of 10 years of trust industry experience preferred, including work with high-net-worth clients and familiarity with advanced tax and wealth transfer techniques
Expertise in trust administration and estate settlement principles and theories
Expertise in estate planning concepts, charitable giving and federal and state estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes
Expertise in the income taxation of trusts, estates, corporations, S corporations, LLCs, partnerships and charitable entities
Knowledge of investment concepts, practices and procedures used in the trust industry
Ability to analyze complex trust-related matters and provide appropriate recommendations
Ability to interpret and apply state and federal statutes, tax rules and regulations in a multi-jurisdictional setting
Advanced problem-solving and research skills with a timely, solution-oriented approach to resolving inquires
Experience presenting continuing education seminars to varying audiences, including internal associates, clients, attorneys and CPAs
Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex tax and estate planning strategies clearly and connect professionally with clients and advisors
Active listening skills with the ability to ask thoughtful questions and understand the perspectives of internal and external clients
A collaborative mindset that values teamwork, diverse perspectives and shared success, with the ability to lead teams and manage associates
Juris Doctorate or equivalent experience required
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Economics, Finance, Accounting or Business Administration, or equivalent experience

Nice To Haves

LLM, CFP or CTFA desired

Responsibilities

Serve as the trust and estate planning expert within Baird Trust, supporting Baird Financial Advisors in deepening relationships with top clients and engaging high-net-worth prospects
Educate Baird Financial Advisors on Baird Trust Company’s services and the value they provide to clients and their families
Support trust and estate planning conversations by attending meetings with clients and their professional advisors and preparing materials that illustrate current estate plans, suggested modifications and new planning and tax strategies
Partner with Baird Financial Advisors, Baird Family Wealth Strategists, Tax Strategists, Wealth Planners, Market Directors and other PWM associates to identify trust service opportunities across the PWM client base
Collaborate with clients’ CPAs, attorneys and other centers of influence to address complex matters, develop referral relationships and connect prospective clients with Baird
Meet with centers of influence in Baird markets to introduce Baird Trust services and demonstrate how those services can support their clients
Deliver presentations on estate, tax and trust planning topics for internal associates, external client and prospect events and professional continuing education seminars
Serve as a subject matter expert on advanced trust and estate planning questions and collaborate with other Baird experts to develop effective client strategies
Create client-focused white papers and materials related to trust and estate planning strategies and relevant changes in federal and state legislation, with a focus on trust planning
Drive growth in future fee appointments that name Baird Trust Company in a fiduciary capacity
Assist Trust Counsel and Trust Company associates with trust and estate matters
Participate in Trust Company projects and the introduction of new initiatives, systems, products, services and processes