Senior Relationship Advisor

About the role

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company founded in 1889, provides innovative financial services and guidance to sophisticated clients. The Sr. Relationship Advisor manages complex fiduciary and wealth management client relationships, delivering high-quality fiduciary services.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned account base of sophisticated wealth management clients by working closely with client service teams, clients, and their professional advisors to develop a thorough understanding of client needs and goals.
• Lead client conversations focused on goals-driven wealth management and holistic advice, providing proactive guidance on Northern Trust products and services, emerging issues, and regulatory or tax changes, while translating complex concepts into clear, client-friendly language.
• Leverage extensive knowledge of Northern Trust resources, fiduciary standards, and practices to identify opportunities for relationship enhancement and deliver high-quality fiduciary service.
• Maintain proactive and responsive client service through effective written and verbal communication, exercising strong time management, diplomacy, and tact.
• Recognize fiduciary risk issues and apply sound judgment in compliance with internal policies, processes, and procedures to support prudent risk management.
• Cultivate relationships with referral sources and external professional advisors to build the business, identify new opportunities, and represent Northern Trust through participation in community and professional organizations.
• Travel as appropriate to meet client service, revenue, and new business development needs.
• Teach and mentor less experienced partners, advise Relationship Advisors on fiduciary issues, and serve as a subject matter expert on complex fiduciary relationships.
• Pursue continued development of fiduciary and advisory skills through ongoing training and experience, applying sophisticated analytical thought to identify innovative solutions.
• Be eligible to serve as Lead Relationship Manager for all relationship types.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of fiduciary and financial products and services, typically acquired through significant related work experience managing complex client relationships.
• Demonstrated experience with fiduciary accounts, including technical knowledge of investments, tax, legal, and operational considerations, gained through formal education or professional experience.
• Deep understanding of fiduciary standards, principles, and applicable laws and regulations, supported by training, seminars, or advanced education.
• Strong skills in leadership, problem solving, negotiation, delegation, sales, and organizational effectiveness.
• Ability to interpret internal and external business challenges and recommend best practices to improve products, processes, or services.

Qualifications

• College or university degree and/or equivalent professional experience required; JD or similar credential strongly preferred.
• Typically 12–15 years of experience as a relationship manager or attorney in trust administration, estate administration, estate planning, or related fields.