Trust Specialist

Synovus•Homewood, AL

About The Position

The Trust Specialist provides distinctive client service and operational support to Trust Advisors and their clients. The role combines internal trust-account administration—including system coding, document preparation, account setup, and daily processing—with consistent, direct support for client service needs. The specialist partners with clients, Relationship Managers, internal teams, and external service providers to address inquiries, resolve account issues, and support client recommendations and solutions. The position coordinates day-to-day account transactions and administration, maintains accurate account documentation and records, supports compliance and risk controls, and helps improve departmental processes. It also provides reporting, presentation, and administrative support; works with technology and servicing partners on system issues; and serves as a subject matter expert for complex or escalated matters. The role may support either institutional trust activities or personal trust matters, as applicable.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
At least 10 years of experience in trust operations, banking, or related roles.
Strong knowledge of trust documents, products, and services.
Strong knowledge of trust regulations, compliance, and industry best practices.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities, including effective verbal and written communication.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and prioritize daily tasks.
Excellent client service skills and tact and diplomacy when dealing with clients and team members.
Ability to perform the stated physical activities, including prolonged standing and sitting, manual dexterity, verbal communication, visual acuity, repetitive motion, hearing, bending, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping.
Ability to sustain long periods of mental concentration.

Responsibilities

Build strong client relationships, anticipate client needs, respond to inquiries, research and resolve account issues, and provide useful information.
Work with clients, Relationship Managers, and internal business partners to develop recommendations and solutions.
Coordinate and monitor daily account activities and transactions, including account opening and closing, cash management, asset transfers, bill review and payment processing, cash disbursements, charitable gifting, private banking, and correspondence.
Identify risks and operational challenges and take steps to mitigate risk and improve systems and processes.
For the Institutional Trust Team, prepare and manage client investment policy statements and investment documentation forms, obtain signatures, and maintain documentation.
For the Personal Trust Team, coordinate client tax, estate, and personal matters with CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents, and other service providers.
Provide administrative support to Relationship Managers and gather information for presentations; assist with proposals, presentations, marketing materials, and other business communications.
Work with the management team to develop or modify policies, procedures, and processes related to departmental activities.
Develop and maintain complex department financial, statistical, and ad hoc reports; collect and organize data from multiple sources, including system extracts and downloads.
Work with Information Technology systems administration teams to maintain data accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality.
Maintain relationships with system or third-party servicing partners, facilitate timely resolution of system and service issues, and partner with internal teams on system projects, user issues, and service requests.
Create and maintain account documentation and files in a timely manner, follow document-retention requirements, and ensure distribution and access follow need-to-know and authorization rules.
Conduct random file audits as needed to check compliance with departmental standard operating procedures, identify discrepancies, and work with management on follow-up.
Serve as a team subject matter expert, resolve escalated and complex issues, assist junior team members with problem resolution, and determine appropriate actions within standard operating procedures.
Act on behalf of a supervisor as requested, including distributing and reviewing the work of junior team members.
Attend client meetings as requested and complete special projects as assigned.
Observe applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and risk limits, and promptly report known or suspected violations to the appropriate company authority.
Address clients’ business and personal financial needs and refer them to specialty areas such as Trust, Investments, Insurance, and Treasury Management as appropriate.
Assist other team members as needed to ensure distinctive service delivery.
Perform other related duties as required.