Senior Estate and Tax Specialist

Vanguard; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Job summary

Vanguard is seeking a Senior Estate and Trust Specialist to deepen relationships with our ultra‑high‑net‑worth clients and provide sophisticated estate and tax planning solutions. You will serve as a subject matter expert, influence wealth planning strategy, and work with advisors, clients, and senior leadership.

The role involves leading complex planning discussions, developing strategic materials, and mentoring junior team members.

Qualifications

• Must have strong client relationship and presentation skills.
• Extensive estate and tax planning experience with high‑net‑worth clients.
• Advanced degree in law or taxation or equivalent.
• Ability to lead complex planning discussions and provide strategic guidance.
• Demonstrated discretion handling sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Conduct trust, estate, and tax planning analyses for ultra-high-net-worth clients (generally $25M+).
• Provide consultation on complex planning scenarios and create client materials.
• Deliver expert consultative services to Wealth Management clients with complex financials.
• Lead planning discussions for ultra-high-net-worth families, including assets >$1B.
• Influence strategic service delivery and explore new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal partners and external advisors to support client needs.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to onboarding and hiring.
• Maintain knowledge of fiduciary, regulatory, and tax changes affecting wealth planning.

Skills

Client relationship management

Estate planning

Tax planning

Wealth transfer strategies

Public speaking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Master of Taxation

Job description

The Senior Estate and Trust Specialist deepens client relationships, delivers exceptional estate and tax planning services to Vanguard's highest-net-worth and most complex clients, and influences wealth planning strategy. This role serves as a recognized subject matter expert, providing sophisticated planning solutions, thought leadership, and strategic guidance to clients, advisors, and senior leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct trust, estate, and/or tax planning analyses for Vanguard's highest-net-worth clients (generally $25M+ in assets). Provide consultation on the most complex planning scenarios, leveraging deep expertise in wealth transfer strategies, multigenerational planning, charitable giving, asset protection, and/or tax planning. Develop client presentation materials and demonstrate exceptional professional presence and relationship management skills.
• Deliver expert consultative services to advised Wealth Management clients and prospective clients with highly complex financial circumstances. Evaluate planning structures and legal entities as planning solutions for estate and tax planning consultations, evaluate tax returns and tax strategies, analyze client objectives for all consultation types, and recommend strategies aligned with their goals and needs.
• Serve as Vanguard's ambassador and subject matter expert on wealth transfer, estate planning, and/or tax planning for clients, professional advisors, media engagements, family meetings, webinars, blogs, and other external forums. Contribute thought leadership through publications, working groups, and research initiatives, including collaborating on Vanguard and Investment Strategy Group (ISG) content. Lead planning discussions in estate planning and/or tax planning for ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families, including clients with assets exceeding $1 billion.
• Influence the strategic direction of the group's service delivery model, including new business development initiatives and offer strategy. Identify opportunities for service enhancements and lead initiatives that improve client outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Provide estate and trust planning and/or income tax planning expertise to internal stakeholders, including Relationship Managers, Financial Advisors, Sales, Marketing, and other business partners.
• Partner with financial advisors as they support clients in these subject areas, as well as with other wealth planning teams including Family Legacy and Vanguard National Trust Company.
• Mentor, coach, and develop junior team members. Support onboarding and training efforts for new specialists and contribute to the hiring and evaluation of team members, including experienced external candidates.
• Maintain expert knowledge of the competitive, legal, regulatory, and fiduciary landscape affecting wealth management, estate planning, trust services, and/or income tax.
• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Juris Doctor (JD), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of Taxation, or another relevant advanced degree required
• CFP®, CTFA®, or other relevant industry designations preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of estate and trust planning and/or income tax planning experience, including advising ultra-high-net-worth clients with assets exceeding $20 million.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients, external professional advisors, and internal partners at all organizational levels.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of Vanguard investment products and the broader asset management industry preferred.
• Ability to travel approximately 25%.

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission. To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.