Estates Specialist

Meridian Credit Union; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 46,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Remote work flexibility with in-office

Job summary

Meridian Credit Union is seeking an Estate Specialist to manage estate administration, tax reporting, and trustee liaison within a centralized Estates model. You will coordinate intake-to-settlement, advise trustees, and collaborate with branches to ensure compliant and high-quality member service.

You will support estate case handling with empathy, integrity and attention to detail, contributing to risk mitigation and operational excellence across Meridian’s estate services.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in the financial services industry.
• Knowledge of estate administration and relevant legal documents and processes.
• Commitment to values and service excellence.
• Attention to detail and ability to exercise sound judgment mitigating risk.
• Strong communication and relationship skills, including written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of Meridian responsibilities relevant to estate management and tax reporting.
• Respond to inquiries via email, fax and phone from solicitors, trustees, mutual fund companies and other agencies.
• Provide guidance to branch staff and set realistic expectations with trustees.
• Coordinate the file from intake through settlement within the centralized Estates model.
• Explain documentation requirements and next steps to Trustees in a timely, clear and empathetic manner.
• Assess information provided by Trustees, identify gaps or risks, and advise within policies and legal guidance.
• Set realistic timelines and maintain consistent communication with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with branch teams and internal departments to resolve complex estate matters.

Skills

Estate administration

Financial services

Trustee relations

Communication

Risk management

Attention to detail

Tools

Ovation/Encore

Microsoft Office

Job description

Why Meridian?

At Meridian our aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest opportunity is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.

Factor us into your next career opportunity. We want you to grow with us and have an experience that’s different. This is a place where you can expect the unexpected.

Find our story here: About Meridian

2 Vacancies - 1 Permanent & 1 Contract (14 Months)

The role: Operating within a centralized Estates support model, the Estate Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for Trustees throughout the estate administration process. The Specialist connects directly with Trustees to explain requirements, clarify next steps, provide practical guidance, and set clear and realistic expectations, while applying Meridian policies, procedures, privacy requirements, and risk controls consistently.

They are responsible for maintaining high standards of Member service, contributing to quality control and operational efficiency that contribute to a positive Member experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of Meridian responsibilities relevant to estate management and tax reporting.
• Respond to inquiries, both via email/fax and phone, from external agencies such as solicitors, trustee’s beneficiaries, mutual fund companies and Aviso.
• Responsible for handling the estate phone line, determining the appropriate next steps for each case, provide guidance and advice to the branch staff, and assist them with setting realistic expectations with the trustees.
• Support the delivery of Meridian’s centralized Estates model by acting as the dedicated Estates contact for assigned deceased member files and coordinating the file from intake through settlement.
• Connect directly with Trustees through phone, email, and virtual channels to explain estate documentation requirements, outline available next steps, and provide timely, clear, and empathetic guidance throughout the process.
• Assess the information and documentation provided by Trustees, identify outstanding requirements or potential risks, and provide advice within established policies, procedures, legal guidance, and delegated authority.
• Set and manage realistic expectations regarding file requirements, review timelines, dependencies, and next steps, while maintaining consistent communication and documenting material interactions and decisions.
• Partner with branch teams and internal stakeholders to resolve complex estate matters, clarify ownership, and ensure Trustees receive consistent information regardless of their point of contact.
• Create a consistent and positive experience for our partners and our Members.
• Build a culture that marries a focus on compliance, best practices, and risk mitigation with meeting member needs timely and accurately.
• Take ownership of estate case and collaborate with other departments as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 5+ years of experience in the financial services industry
• Desire for continuous learning and growth: Availability to take external courses to enhance estate knowledge.
• Knowledge of estate administration, relevant legal documents and / or processes relating to area of expertise.
• Commitment to values and service excellence
• Attention to detail and ability to exercise sound judgment mitigating risk to Meridian and Trustees
• Communicate clearly and professionally, as well as demonstrate empathy
• Exceptional relationship and communication skills – capable of using written, spoken and interpersonal skills to create clear understanding of expectations; address escalated challenges and issues in reporting areas; and to represent the functional area across the organization.
• Demonstrate ability and creativity in developing and implementing process improvement initiatives
• Confident in providing advice and direction including but not limited to deceased member processes, mutual fund transactions and compliance
• Strong knowledge of computer systems, embracing virtual technology platforms for use with both Member and Meridian partners. Ovation/Encore and Microsoft Office products, and asset.
• Member Focus - Personally demonstrating that our Members are our highest priority.
• Proactive - Seize the initiative by anticipating needs and identifying opportunities to provide a higher level of service.
• Open Communication - Engaging in honest and transparent dialogue to develop mutual understanding, trust and cultivate deeper relationships.
• Business Savvy - Continuously acquiring the knowledge needed to do one’s job to the fullest, using internal or external resources and applying the knowledge productively.
• Partner Orientation - Initiates opportunities for collaboration and maintains productive relationships to achieve shared goals.
• Integrity - Doing the right thing by always acting with openness, honesty, and respect.
• Talent Developer: nurtures and supports direct reports, identifies strong team members, develops digital and analytical skills in direct reports
• Creates a Supportive and Positive Team Environment: creates and contributes to a positive team environment which encourages innovation, risk taking, and learning; speeds up team learning through sharing best practices; leverages the strengths and opportunities of the broader marketing team.
• Comfort learning and adopting new digital tools, with an openness to using AI‑enabled technology to enhance productivity, accuracy, and the Member experience

This role represents an existing vacancy. Internal candidates are being considered as part of our standard process.

Salary Range: $46,400.00 to $69,600.00 CAD

Compensation for this role is based on a combination of skills, experience, and internal equity. Candidates with stronger alignment to the role’s requirements may be placed higher within the range. Your recruiter will share more information about our total rewards package during the hiring process.

Office Location:

Toronto Corporate Office with the ability to travel to our St. Catharines office as needed. This is a hybrid work opportunity.

Meridian has a remote work policy that allows flexibility for employees to work remotely but also requires a minimum of one day per week in the office for purposeful meetings to collaborate, innovate, and build effective relationships with your team, your colleagues, and your leader, which is important to us.

What’s in it for you?

• We have an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages teamwork, creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success.
• We provide you with the tools and technology needed to delight your candidates and clients.
• You will get to work with and learn from diverse industry leaders and colleagues, who have hailed from top organizations.
• Hybrid work arrangements with in-person office time to collaborate, innovate, and build relationships with your colleagues.
• This is not your typical “corporate” job. We work hard and we have fun!

Build the Future of Banking with Us

At Meridian, we’re not just adapting to the future—we’re shaping it. We see talent as a catalyst for sustainable growth, community impact, and future-readiness. As the financial landscape evolves, we’re looking for team members who bring:

• Embedding & leveraging technology – Confidence and willingness to learn and integrate AI and emerging technologies into new ways of working. Experience with low/no code tools like the Microsoft Power Platform and generative AI productivity tools like Microsoft Copilot is considered an asset
• Critical Thinking – The ability to analyze, evaluate and interpret information from various sources and apply logic and problem solving to make decisions.
• Data Driven– Leverage data and insights to identify, prioritize and improve member experience and business efficiency.
• Curiosity & Flexibility – Comfortable navigating and embracing change and uncertainty, ask more questions, explore more options. Continuously learn and grow.

Experience the Difference!

Meridian committed to promoting an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to employing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities and Members in which we live and serve.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Please note that due to the volume of applications, only those under consideration will be contacted for an interview.

Thank you for your interest in Meridian Credit Union.

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