Senior Relationship Advisor

Northern Trust Corp; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust seeks a Relationship Advisor to manage fiduciary and agency client relationships, delivering high-quality fiduciary services. This role collaborates with the service team to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant fiduciary support for assigned accounts.

The advisor leads goals-based wealth management conversations, applies fiduciary standards, and provides proactive guidance on products and regulatory changes while mentoring junior staff and traveling to meet clients as needed to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 7–10 years of fiduciary servicing, personal trust, or a closely related field.
• Thorough knowledge of fiduciary principles, standards, and laws/regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of wealth management clients, developing a deep understanding of client needs and goals in collaboration with clients and their advisors.
• Exhibits expertise in governing documents, fiduciary duties, trust and tax law, estate planning, financial planning, and prudent investment principles.
• Leads client conversations around goals-based wealth management and holistic advisory solutions, communicating complex topics in non-technical terms.
• Provides proactive guidance on Northern Trust products, regulatory/tax changes, and appropriate strategies to address evolving client needs.
• Utilizes internal fiduciary resources and expertise to identify opportunities for relationship growth and improved client outcomes.
• Delivers responsive and tactful client service through clear written and verbal communication, exhibiting strong time management skills.

Skills

Fiduciary knowledge

Negotiation

Communication

Relationship management

Leadership

Judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions. Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide. With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

The Relationship Advisor

The Relationship Advisor manages fiduciary and agency client relationships while delivering high-quality fiduciary services. This role holds primary responsibility for ensuring overall client satisfaction through collaborative work with the service team, leveraging Northern Trust resources to deliver timely, accurate, and compliant fiduciary support. The Relationship Advisor addresses client needs, resolves issues, and serves as a trusted advisor while managing both assigned relationships and acting in the background for fiduciary accounts without a designated fiduciary lead.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of wealth management clients, developing a deep understanding of client needs and goals in collaboration with clients and their advisors.
• Exhibits expertise in governing documents, fiduciary duties, trust and tax law, estate planning, financial planning, and prudent investment principles.
• Leads client conversations around goals-based wealth management and holistic advisory solutions, communicating complex topics in non-technical terms.
• Provides proactive guidance on Northern Trust products, regulatory/tax changes, and appropriate strategies to address evolving client needs.
• Utilizes internal fiduciary resources and expertise to identify opportunities for relationship growth and improved client outcomes.
• Delivers responsive and tactful client service through clear written and verbal communication, exhibiting strong time management skills.
• Applies sound fiduciary judgment and Northern Trust standards in managing risk, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and external regulations.
• Cultivates business development by maintaining and expanding relationships with referral sources and centers of influence.
• Serves as a mentor and subject matter expert, guiding Relationship Advisors and junior partners on fiduciary matters and best practices.
• Travels to meet with clients when appropriate to support relationship development, business growth, or servicing needs.
• Actively pursues professional development to deepen fiduciary and advisory skills.
• Uses sound judgment to analyze multiple inputs and determine appropriate client solutions.
• Eligible to serve as LRM in Private Client Advisory (PCA) and Private Client Services (PCS).

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of fiduciary and financial products and services acquired through related work experience.
• Technical understanding of investments, tax, legal, and operations gained through formal education or relevant experience.
• Thorough knowledge of fiduciary principles, standards, and laws/regulations necessary to effectively administer trust accounts.
• Well-developed skills in negotiation, problem-solving, delegation, leadership, and relationship management.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex or sensitive topics to clients and stakeholders.
• Strong judgment and the ability to build consensus while working collaboratively across teams.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
• 7–10 years of experience in fiduciary servicing, personal trust, estate administration, or a closely related field.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H‑1B, L‑1, TN, O‑1, E‑3, H‑1B1, F‑1, J‑1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [e-mail], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

Looking for greater? You found it. A global financial leader with more than 22,000 employees in 23 locations worldwide, Northern Trust empowers our employees to achieve more than just business goals. Our focus on work-life balance, career mobility and unique opportunities are just a few of the reasons we’ve been named one of the world’s most admired companies.

EEO Statements

APAC/INDIA EEO STATEMENT It is the policy and practice of Northern Trust to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants.

Canada EEO STATEMENT Northern Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring and other employment decisions at Northern Trust are made without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age. All employment decisions will be made in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our obligations under the law and codes of practice.

EMEA EEO STATEMENT It is the policy and practice of Northern Trust to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Northern Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age. All employment decisions will be made in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our obligations under the law and codes of practice.

USA EEO STATEMENT It is the policy of The Northern Trust Company to afford equal opportunity in all phases of employment without regard to an individual's age, race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic tests and information, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

EEO Know Your Rights (U.S.)