Senior Relationship / Trust Advisor

At Northern Trust, the Sr. Relationship Advisor manages complex fiduciary and wealth management client relationships and delivers high-quality fiduciary services for sophisticated clients. As a senior member of the service team, this role assumes primary responsibility for overall client satisfaction by collaborating with partners and utilizing appropriate Northern Trust resources to ensure timely delivery of fiduciary services, effective issue resolution, and clear communication of client needs.

The Sr. Relationship Advisor coordinates with clients’ professional advisors to identify and implement advisory solutions, manages complex fiduciary relationships with sound judgment, and considers fiduciary duties, client objectives, and internal procedures. The role also supports Relationship Advisors on fiduciary matters, including serving as Fiduciary Specialist background on fiduciary accounts not directly assigned.

What You’ll Do

• 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, while maintaining mastery of governing documents, fiduciary duties, and applicable laws.

• 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.

What Will Make You Successful in the Role

• 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.

• 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.