Associate - Estate Admin Team

About the Role

Bernstein Private Wealth Management is a premier investment management firm advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. This role offers an exciting and challenging opportunity to join the Estate Administration Team in our Nashville headquarters, contributing to a growing strategic initiative and gaining national exposure within our Private Wealth Management business.

The Estate Administration Team Associate will be part of a centralized team specializing in estate administration for private wealth clients across the country, partnering with local sales and service teams to manage the entire process from beginning to end. Their expertise will be key to ensuring clients experience a smooth transition during an often difficult and confusing time in their lives.

Responsibilities

• Lead both client and support team meetings to discuss estate administration requirements, timelines, and provide clear guidance as the main point of communication throughout the process.
• Coordinate client authorization and execute all estate-related transactions: account openings & closings, asset transfers & distributions, portfolio allocations, cost basis updates, etc.
• Conduct detailed research on deceased clients’ Bernstein accounts and relationships to identify key considerations and map out subsequent steps in the estate administration process.
• Serve in an advisory capacity with associates and advisors to answer ad hoc questions, create process roadmaps, and present research findings.
• Partner with internal legal and retirement account specialist teams to interpret trusts, wills, letters testamentary, designation of beneficiary forms, court documents, etc.
• Identify areas of inefficiency in the estate administration process and proactively drive solutions.
• Prepare and present consultative observations and updates to senior management.
• Opportunity to earn additional certifications in estate administration (e.g., Chartered Trust and Estate Planning (CTEP), Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), etc.).

Requirements

• Prior experience in private wealth management or a similar private client environment.
• Experience in trust and estate services is strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Comfortable leading thoughtful conversations with clients during emotional life events.
• Able to work independently under pressure and as part of a team.
• Highly proactive and exhibits a sense of urgency to meet business needs.
• Demonstrated track record of strong performance in prior roles.
• Bachelor’s degree and SIE, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses.

Development Program

Associates will participate in a robust and comprehensive training program – The Associate Development Program (ADP). The Program is designed to build a foundation of investment knowledge and develop the quantitative and qualitative skills needed for long-term stability and success.

• In-depth industry training on proprietary investments, services, policies, and procedures.
• Advanced training on trusts & estates, wealth planning, investment management philosophies, and financial management strategies.
• A focus on client service excellence, partnership, and sales training to provide an exceptional client experience.
• Behavioral training geared toward the development of communication, leadership, and other professional skills.
• Career management, one-on-one coaching, and specialized skills training to achieve success beyond the Associate role.

About the Company

Bernstein Private Wealth Management advises high-net-worth clients on planning for—and living with—the complexities that come with wealth. We specialize in addressing challenges that extend well beyond wealth management by offering a vast network of resources customized to clients’ values and needs. Bernstein is distinguished among major wealth managers by its holistic approach, flexible process, innovative research, sophisticated modeling, and cutting-edge investment solutions.

Our people are our advantage. Our collaborative culture means each client is supported by a team of specialists aligned with a shared sense of purpose. Bernstein is a business unit of AllianceBernstein, which ranks among the largest investment managers in the world, with 4,300 employees across 52 locations in 26 countries and over $785 billion in assets under management.

Location: Nashville, TN