Senior Relationship Advisor, WM

Northern Trust; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 165,000 - 288,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking a Senior Relationship Advisor in Wealth Management to manage complex HNW/UHNW client relationships and deliver high-quality fiduciary and administrative services. You will collaborate with service teams and external advisors to ensure timely delivery, issue resolution, and effective communication of client needs.

The role requires deep fiduciary knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to grow client relationships through advisory solutions.

Qualifications

• 12–15 years’ experience as a relationship manager in trust administration, estate administration, estate planning, or related fields.
• Experience with high net worth (HNW) and UHNW clients is preferred.
• Ability to manage a complex portfolio of over a million and/or billion in AUM.
• Knowledge of fiduciary standards, laws, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead client conversations for life-driven wealth management and provide proactive advice on NT products and regulatory changes.
• Explain complex concepts in plain language and offer advisory solutions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with referral sources and external advisors.
• Coordinate with clients’ professional advisors to deliver advisory solutions.
• Travel to meet clients as needed and mentor junior partners.
• Implement complex fiduciary initiatives across multiple disciplines.

Skills

Relationship management

Fiduciary knowledge

Estate planning

Tax law knowledge

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

CFP Certification

CPWA Certification

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.

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.

SENIOR RELATIONSHIP/TRUST ADVISOR, WEALTH MANAGEMENT

OH: R157162

The Senior Relationship Advisor role manages complex wealth management high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) client relationships and delivers high-quality fiduciary and administrative services. Partner assumes primary responsibility for overall client satisfaction by collaborating with other members of the service team and appropriate NT resources to ensure timely delivery of exceptional service, issue resolution, effective communication of client needs to others, and coordination with client’s professional advisors to identify and implement advisory solutions.

• Manages assigned account base of wealth management clients by working with client service team, clients and their professional advisors to develop a thorough understanding of the client’s needs and goals. Exhibits clear knowledge of governing documents and account agreements, depth of knowledge of fiduciary duties and applicable laws, including trust and tax law, estate planning techniques, financial planning, asset management and prudent investment principles. Pursues ongoing development of fiduciary and advisory knowledge and skills through training and experience.
• Primarily responsible for leading client conversations for life driven wealth management, providing proactive advice to clients on NT’s products/services, emerging issues, regulatory/tax changes, and appropriate actions for the client. Explains complicated concepts to clients in a thoughtful way using non-technical terminology and offers advisory solutions. Maintains a working knowledge of various NT resources and utilizes fiduciary knowledge, experience, and NT resources to identify opportunities for relationship enhancement.
• Proactive client service with responsiveness, diplomacy and tact, using written and verbal communication with suitable frequency.
• Builds and maintains knowledge of NT fiduciary standards and practices, applies fiduciary knowledge and judgment to fiduciary relationships. Understands and complies with internal policies, processes and procedures to effect prudent risk management and judgment. Recognizes fiduciary risk issues and seeks appropriate resolution.
• Cultivates relationships with referral sources and external professional advisors to build the business; identifies and develops new business opportunities. Participates in community and professional organizations representing NT. Identifies opportunities to showcase NT expertise and thought leadership.
• Travels to meet with clients where appropriate considering revenue, new business opportunities, or servicing requirements.
• Teaches and mentors less experienced partners. Provides leadership on fiduciary projects and committees. Work collaboratively with internal partners and external professional advisors in identifying client needs and goals and developing advice-driven solutions for clients.
• Implements complex initiatives involving multiple disciplines and/or ambiguous issues.

The successful candidate will benefit from having the following competencies:

• 12 - 15 years’ experience as a relationship manager in trust administration, estate administration, estate planning, or related fields.
• Due to the complexity of this portfolio, experience in working with high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients is preferred.
• The ability to manage a complex portfolio of over a million and/or billion in account under management (AUM).
• Knowledge of fiduciary and financial products and services, usually acquired through related work experience, needed to manage client accounts.
• Technical knowledge of investments, tax, legal, and operations usually acquired through formal education or related experience.
• Knowledge of fiduciary standards, principles, and applicable laws and regulations usually acquired through training, seminars, or law school.
• Skills in negotiating, problem solving, delegating, leadership, and sales are necessary to service the client relationship. In addition, a JD, and/or a CFP, CPWA and other related professional designations are strongly desired for this role.
• Leadership and organizational skills are required to determine the Business Unit's goals, resources needed, and to assess and develop the skills of staff.

Salary Range

$164,600 - 288,000 USD

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

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.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.

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.