Head of Trust Administration

Location: Wilmington, DE / Chicago, IL / Houston, TX

Salary Range: $190,000 - $235,000 Base Salary + Annual Incentive Opportunity + Comprehensive Benefits

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Trust & Estate Administration to lead and oversee all aspects of trust and estate administration across a growing fiduciary services platform. This executive-level role is responsible for ensuring exceptional client service, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and fiduciary risk management while driving the continued growth and modernization of the trust administration function.

The successful candidate will provide independent ownership of the department, leading a team of approximately 15-20 trust and estate professionals, including managers, senior administrators, and support staff. This individual will serve as a key partner to executive leadership, legal counsel, investment teams, and external advisors while maintaining the highest standards of fiduciary administration.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 15-20 trust and estate administration professionals.
• Establish performance standards, succession plans, and talent development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, client service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Manage departmental staffing, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Provide oversight for the administration of complex trusts, estates, foundations, and fiduciary relationships.
• Ensure timely and accurate execution of fiduciary responsibilities, including distributions, account reviews, beneficiary communications, and trust terminations.
• Review and approve complex discretionary matters and fiduciary decisions.
• Serve as escalation point for high-profile client matters and sensitive beneficiary issues.

• Maintain adherence to applicable fiduciary, trust, estate, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Audit teams to ensure effective governance and controls.
• Oversee account reviews, exception reporting, and risk mitigation activities.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and operating practices remain aligned with industry standards and regulatory expectations.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, beneficiaries, attorneys, accountants, family offices, and other professional advisors.
• Participate in business development efforts and support retention of key client relationships.
• Represent the organization in fiduciary meetings, industry events, and client presentations.

• Drive process improvements, operational efficiencies, and technology enhancements.
• Develop and execute strategic initiatives to improve service delivery and scalability.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and competitive practices.
• Provide reporting and insights to executive leadership regarding departmental performance and growth opportunities.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Law, Trust Management, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in trust and estate administration.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams within a fiduciary or wealth management environment.
• Deep knowledge of trust administration, estate settlement, fiduciary law, tax considerations, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale fiduciary operations and complex client relationships.
• Strong understanding of fiduciary risk management and governance frameworks.

Preferred

• CTFA (Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor), CFP®, CPA, JD, or similar professional designation.
• Experience administering complex, multi-generational wealth structures and special assets.
• Prior experience leading transformation, process improvement, or technology modernization initiatives.