Senior Estate Administrator

About the role

At Northern Trust, a global financial institution founded in 1889, the Senior Estate Administrator oversees complex and sensitive probate estates and taxable trusts containing sophisticated estate plans, intricate tax matters, and challenging investment decisions. This role involves implementing the descendant's estate plan across various areas, managing relationships with internal support divisions, outside counsel, co-fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and advisors, and enabling the preparation of estate, gift, generation-skipping, fiduciary, and personal income tax returns.

Responsibilities

• Marshal and administer assets in complex estates and taxable trusts, ensuring fiduciary responsibilities are fulfilled throughout the administration and settlement process.
• Decide substantive questions arising within estates, including tax elections, use of tax reserves, disposition, valuation and collection of assets, cash management, resolution of liabilities, audits, and litigation matters.
• Manage accounts featuring sophisticated estate plans, unusual assets, complicated will or trust provisions, intricate tax matters, significant investment decisions, and sensitive family situations.
• Administer unusual assets such as closely held stock, investment concentrations, large or multiple real estate holdings, unusual qualified plans, deferred compensation agreements, and farms.
• Enable preparation of estate, gift, generation-skipping, fiduciary, and personal income tax returns by locating and marshaling assets, arranging for valuations, quantifying expenses, and securing and reviewing financial records.
• Work closely with internal tax support partners, co-fiduciaries, and outside counsel to evaluate tax elections and determine appropriate tax reporting strategies.
• Advise the investment division regarding estate cash requirements and beneficiary investment objectives, assisting in the development and communication of investment programs while ensuring fiduciary requirements are observed.
• Cook up account requirements and beneficiary needs during the estate settlement period, ensuring effective communication of decisions with internal teams and external parties.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with beneficiaries by addressing needs and objectives, explaining estate issues, and educating clients on Northern Trust products and services, emerging issues, and regulatory or tax changes.
• Cultivate relationships that support expanded business opportunities for the bank, including personal trust, investment management, securities, and private banking services.
• Review and implement fundings and distributions, review pertinent accounting documentation, and oversee preparation and filing of required court documents.
• Oversee special tasks including sale of real estate or family business interests, disposition of qualified plan assets, coordination of estate tax audits, and facilitation of beneficiary credit requests.
• Cook up litigation when appropriate, working with outside counsel, internal legal and tax partners, and senior administrators on technical matters.
• Serve as a resource to the group by providing training, consultation, and guidance on estate administration matters.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of estate planning and tax laws, trusts, fiduciary income, investments, real estate, accounting, trust operations, and current issues affecting estate administration.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills applied to complex and sensitive estate matters.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in estate administration or personal trust, with broad exposure to legal, tax, investment, and operational elements required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, law, or a related field.
• CPA certification preferred.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with estate planning software and tools.
• Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws and regulations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Community involvement and volunteer programs.

Pay

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Full-time position with flexible work options available.

Company Culture

At Northern Trust, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. Our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is reflected in our efforts to support the communities we serve and promote a healthier environment for all.