SVP, Chief Fiduciary Officer

Wintrust Financial Corporation•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Fiduciary Officer (CFO–Fiduciary) is the senior-level Officer responsible for the design, governance, and execution of all fiduciary activities across the trust company. This role ensures that the organization consistently fulfills its fiduciary duties in accordance with applicable law, regulatory expectations, and the highest standards of prudence, loyalty, and care. As a member of the WPT leadership team, the CFO–Fiduciary partners closely with the CEO, Sr. Compliance Officer, WPT Investment Officers, Managing Directors – Administration Team Leads, Operations and Middle Office Services Team Leads, and other business line leaders to align fiduciary oversight with strategic growth while safeguarding the firm’s reputation and mitigating risk. The CFO will also manage and administer a book of business and support new business development as needed.

Requirements

Senior-level Officer responsible for the design, governance, and execution of all fiduciary activities across the trust company.
Ensures the organization consistently fulfills its fiduciary duties in accordance with applicable law, regulatory expectations, and the highest standards of prudence, loyalty, and care.
Member of the WPT leadership team, partnering closely with the CEO, Sr. Compliance Officer, WPT Investment Officers, Managing Directors – Administration Team Leads, Operations and Middle Office Services Team Leads, and other business line leaders.
Manages and administers a book of business and supports new business development as needed.
Provides fiduciary risk assessment for new business acceptance.
Advises on interpretation issues and/or conflicts in trust agreements.
Ensures consistent application of fiduciary standards across all accounts.
Serves as final escalation point for complex fiduciary matters and discretionary decisions.
Partners with Legal, Compliance, and Risk to ensure adherence to fiduciary laws.
Oversees fiduciary risk management framework.
Participates in regulatory exam readiness and responses.
Monitors and mitigates litigation, reputational, and operational risks associated with fiduciary activities.
Develops, implements, and maintains fiduciary policies, procedures, and best practices.
Drives modernization of fiduciary processes.
Administers and oversees a portfolio of high-complexity trusts.
Maintains deep expertise in fiduciary income tax; estate and gift tax considerations.
Ensures appropriate discretionary distribution practices.
Oversees acceptance and onboarding standards for new fiduciary relationships.
Oversees administration of unique assets.
Serves as main point of contact for client communication and navigates sensitive family dynamics.
Partners with external advisors on complex tax and estate planning issues.
Works closely with WPC, GLA, WTI and other business lines on promoting WPT services and presenting services to prospective clients.
Acts as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on fiduciary implications of new products, services, and markets.
Supports business development efforts by providing fiduciary expertise.
Partners with investment leadership to ensure alignment between fiduciary duty and portfolio management practices.
Identifies and leads initiatives to improve consistency in account coding, processing, documentation, and reporting.
Collaborates with technology colleagues to develop and enhance administrative and reporting systems.
Builds and leads a high-performing fiduciary organization.
Leads and manages the Trust Real Estate Team.
Establishes training programs to elevate fiduciary acumen.
Promotes a culture of fiduciary excellence, accountability, and client-first decision making.
Raises the profile of Wintrust Wealth Management / WPT through community involvement.
Mentorship within WPT and participates outside of WPT within Wintrust in a mentorship program.

Responsibilities

Review governing documents to provide a thorough fiduciary risk assessment, as part of the pre-acceptance process, in order for WPT Team Leads/Senior Management to assess acceptance of new business by WPT as Trustee and/or Co-Trustee
Review trust agreements for opinion on interpretation issues and/or conflict; advise trust officers and team leads with conclusions on a timely basis; present to Discretionary Committee, Trust Administration and Management Committee
Ensure consistent application of fiduciary standards across all accounts, including trusts, estates, guardianships, and agency relationships
Serve as final escalation (prior to TDC, if necessary) point for complex fiduciary matters and discretionary decisions
Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Risk to ensure adherence to fiduciary laws (e.g., Prudent Investor Rule, Uniform Trust Code, ERISA where applicable)
Oversee fiduciary risk management framework, including account reviews, exception tracking, and mitigation strategies
Participate in regulatory exam readiness and responses (e.g., OCC, state banking regulators, internal audit)
Monitor and mitigate litigation, reputational, and operational risks associated with fiduciary activities – in conjunction with WPT Compliance team
Develop, implement, and maintain fiduciary policies, procedures, and best practices across the enterprise
Ensure scalability and consistency as the firm grows in complexity and geography
Drive modernization of fiduciary processes, including integration of technology and data governance
Administer and oversee a portfolio of high-complexity trusts, including Irrevocable Trusts, Dynasty Trusts, Charitable Trusts, SLATs and Private
Maintain deep expertise in fiduciary income tax; estate and gift tax considerations and other complex fiduciary knowledge – remain knowledgeable and updated on industry trends
Ensure appropriate discretionary distribution practices aligned with governing instruments and client intent
Oversee acceptance and onboarding standards for new fiduciary relationships within one’s book
Oversee administration of unique assets (closely held business interests, real estate, concentrated positions)
Serve as main point of contact for client communication and navigate sensitive family dynamics with discretion and authority
Partner with external advisors (attorneys, CPAs) on complex tax and estate planning issues; work closely with WPC, GLA, WTI and other business lines on promoting WPT services and presenting our services to prospective clients
Act as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on fiduciary implications of new products, services, and markets
Support business development efforts by providing fiduciary expertise in high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth client situations
Partner with investment leadership to ensure alignment between fiduciary duty and portfolio management practices
Identify and lead initiatives to improve consistency in account coding, processing, documentation, and reporting; Collaborate with technology colleagues to develop and enhance administrative and reporting systems that drive efficiency
Build and lead a high-performing fiduciary organization, including senior trust officers and specialists
Lead and manage the Trust Real Estate Team
Establish training programs to elevate fiduciary acumen across the firm
Promote a culture of fiduciary excellence, accountability, and client-first decision making
Raises the profile of Wintrust Wealth Management / WPT through community involvement
Mentorship within WPT and participate outside of WPT within Wintrust in a mentorship program