Trust Officer – Sterling Trustees

High Net Worth & Ultra-High Net Worth Trust Administration Position Overview

Sterling Trustees is seeking an experienced Trust Officer to provide comprehensive fiduciary administration for high net worth and ultra-high net worth families. This role requires strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and exceptional client service skills to manage diverse trust portfolios with varying levels of complexity. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to work independently while maintaining the highest standards of fiduciary care and client satisfaction.

Sterling Trustees is a South Dakota Chartered corporate fiduciary with offices in Sioux Falls and Philadelphia. With over $11.5 billion in fiduciary assets under administration, we specialize in independent trust administration services for wealthy individuals and families across the United States and internationally. We leverage South Dakota’s premier trust jurisdiction advantages including no state income tax, perpetual dynasty trusts, and favorable trust laws to provide exceptional service to our discerning clientele.

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• Trust Administration: Administer a portfolio of personal trust accounts for high net worth and ultra-high net worth families, ensuring compliance with trust instruments, fiduciary standards, and applicable laws
• Client Relationship Management: Serve as primary contact for assigned trust relationships, responding promptly to client inquiries, requests, and concerns with professionalism and attention to detail
• Fiduciary Decision-Making: Review and process discretionary distribution requests, analyze trust provisions, and make informed recommendations while balancing beneficiary needs with trust purposes
• Investment Oversight: Monitor trust investments and coordinate with investment advisors, financial planners, and asset managers to ensure proper trust asset management
• Tax and Accounting: Coordinate with accountants on preparation of fiduciary income tax returns (Form 1041) and other required filings; prepare trust accountings and financial reports; review 1041 tax filings for accuracy
• Professional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Work collaboratively with clients’ attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and insurance professionals to provide coordinated wealth planning and administration
• Document Management: Interpret trust documents and related legal agreements; maintain comprehensive and organized trust files and documentation
• Distribution Processing: Process income and principal distributions in accordance with trust terms and beneficiary requests; ensure proper documentation and approval
• Asset Management: Oversee diverse trust assets including traditional securities, real estate, closely-held businesses, private equity, and alternative investments
• Compliance and Regulatory Adherence: Ensure all trust activities comply with South Dakota trust statutes, banking regulations, and internal policies; maintain comprehensive audit trails
• Continuing
  
  Education:
  
  Stay current on changes in tax laws, estate planning trends, fiduciary standards, and industry best practices affecting trust administration
• Client Meetings and Travel: Participate in client meetings as needed; occasional travel may be required for in-person meetings or professional development (typically 2-4 trips per year)
• Business Development Support: Represent Sterling Trustees professionally in community and industry organizations; support new business development efforts as appropriate

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, economics, or related field
• Minimum 5-7 years of trust administration experience in a bank trust department, private trust company, law firm, or family office environment
• Demonstrated experience working with high net worth individuals and families
• Experience managing a trust portfolio with aggregate assets of $50 million or more

At least one of the following certifications is strongly preferred:

• CTFA (Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor)
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
• JD (Juris Doctor)

If not currently certified,…