SVP-Client Advisor, Head of Office

Whittier Trust•Austin, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Whittier Trust is seeking an SVP Client Advisor and Office Manager to join their leadership team. This role is responsible for growing and expanding the awareness of Whittier Trust’s high-touch service delivery model in the Western region, nationally, and within their local region. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned relationship executive or trust officer with a proven business development track record and alignment with the firm’s culture. This position involves extensive client contact and requires a working knowledge of trust and agency account administration, including fiduciary accounting, securities, finance, real estate, taxes, and estate planning. A high priority goal is the development of new business through independent work, collaboration with staff, professional networking, and direct solicitation of qualified prospects. The officer should possess a strong established network of legal, accounting, and other professionals, as well as client prospects. The role includes managing an assistant, administrative responsibility for a book of accounts, and shared relationship management with an assigned investment officer. Travel to call on active clients, referral sources, and prospective clients is also required.

Requirements

Minimum ten preferred fifteen years’ experience in a similar role with a successful track record in new business development and office management.
Superior ability to identify and build relationships with qualified prospects and a proven outstanding business development track record.
Established network of legal, accounting, and insurance professionals in the area and surrounding communities.
Background in wealth management, client administration, and portfolio management or foundation services.
Strong people skills.
Client service focus.
Outstanding and effective verbal and written communication skills.
High integrity with a diligent work ethic.
Team/people oriented and the ability to motivate and develop employees.
Highly organized with good time management skills.
Meticulous attention to detail.
Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel by airplane.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4 year university.
Industry certification/s – CTFA, CFP, CFA, CPA.
Advanced degree preferred – JD, MBA.

Responsibilities

Office Management: Promote collaboration among departments, coordinate office-wide internal events for staff, manage day-to-day office operations, oversee team, conduct quarterly all-office meetings, manage facilities, oversee expansion/renovation projects, and oversee IT equipment, security, furniture, and equipment.
Outside vendor management, including approval of office bills and negotiation and approval of new and old relationships.
Client Advisory Team Management: Manage the local office client advisory team, assess workload and distribution of relationships, review performance and compensation, review direct reports quarterly, assign new relationships, manage client retention, servicing, and engagement.
All client advisory staff with the title of AVP and above report to SVP.
Conduct monthly client advisory team meetings.
Personnel/staffing: hiring, terminations, retirements, recruitment, internship program.
Marketing and Business Development: Serve as a subject matter expert in estate planning, wealth transfer, and trust law. Assist the office sales team and colleagues from other offices in business development efforts. Participate in business development events. Develop new business through existing clients, COIs, and marketing efforts. Assist with content and aesthetics for Whittier Trust marketing pieces and advertising. Manage strategic partnerships with nonprofits. Community engagement, including charity boards and personal financial support/involvement with local charities.
Senior Client Advisor: Manage client relationships and engagement. Assist clients with implementation and planning for intergenerational wealth transfer, estate tax reduction, and philanthropy. Act as a "connector" for clients with respect to other advisors (CPA, attorneys, etc.). Assist clients with family office services (e.g., rent collection, management of loans/notes/mortgages, bill pay, insurance, cash flow, budgeting, banking, private aviation, security, tax payments, healthcare, appraisals). Handle money movement (ACH, wires). Manage asset set-ups, deliveries, capital calls, distributions, subdocument preparation, and discretionary distributions. Prepare balance sheets. Conduct estate plan evaluation and analysis related to potential estate tax liability. Conduct administration account reviews for all relationships per compliance guidelines. Meet annually or more frequently with all clients.