Sr. Relationship Advisor

001 The Northern Trust Company; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 189,000 - 331,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k and pension

Health and welfare benefits

Paid time off

Parental and caregiver leave

Life & accident insurance

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking a senior Relationship Manager to oversee a sophisticated wealth‑management client base in Menlo Park, CA. You will apply fiduciary knowledge and advisory skills to deliver holistic financial strategies and prudent investment guidance to high‑net‑worth clients.

You will lead client conversations, simplify complex tax and trust concepts, and collaborate with advisors to protect and grow client wealth while expanding the business through trusted relationships.

Qualifications

• College degree required; JD or similar credential strongly preferred.
• 12–15 years of experience as a relationship manager or attorney in trust or estate work.
• Extensive knowledge of fiduciary standards and applicable laws.

Responsibilities

• Lead client conversations to understand goals and provide holistic wealth advice.
• Explain complex fiduciary concepts in clear terms to clients and advisors.
• Develop advice-driven solutions leveraging NT products and regulatory knowledge.
• Cultivate referral networks and identify opportunities for new business.
• Mentor junior partners and provide leadership on fiduciary projects.

Skills

Fiduciary knowledge

Client relationships

Negotiation

Leadership

Sales

Education

JD or similar credential

College degree

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.

Major Duties

1. Manages assigned account base of sophisticated 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 thorough knowledge of governing documents and account agreements. Exhibits mastery of fiduciary duties, applicable laws and oversight, including trust and tax law, estate planning techniques, financial planning, asset management and prudent investment principles.
2. Primarily responsible for leading client conversations for goals driven wealth management and holistic advice. Provides proactive advice to clients on NT’s products/services, emerging issues, regulatory/tax changes, and appropriate actions for the client. Combines technical knowledge with fact finding and analysis to develop advice-driven solutions for clients. Explains complicated concepts to clients in a thoughtful way using non-technical terminology.
3. Maintains extensive knowledge of various NT resources and utilizes fiduciary knowledge, experience, and NT resources to identify opportunities for relationship enhancement.
4. Focused client service with responsiveness, diplomacy and tact; proactive client contact through written and verbal communication with suitable frequency. Exhibits excellent time management skills.
5. Builds and maintains extensive knowledge of NT fiduciary standards and practices, applying fiduciary knowledge and judgment to complex 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.
6. 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.
7. Travels to meet with clients where appropriate considering revenue, new business opportunities, or servicing requirements.
8. Teaches and mentors less experienced partners. Advises Relationship Advisors on fiduciary issues and serves as subject matter expert on fiduciary relationships managed by Relationship Advisors. Provides leadership on fiduciary projects and committees.
9. Seeks continued development of fiduciary and advisory skills through training and experience.
10. Uses sophisticated analytical thought to exercise judgement and identify innovative solutions.
11. Eligible to serve as LRM for all relationships.

Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of fiduciary and financial products and services, usually acquired through related work experience, is required to manage client accounts
• Specific experience with fiduciary accounts and issues required to service complex relationships. Technical knowledge of investments, tax, legal, and operations usually acquired through formal education or related experience is required to service clients
• Extensive knowledge of fiduciary standards, principles, and applicable laws and regulations usually acquired through training, seminars, or law school is required to administer accounts.
• Skills in negotiating, problem solving, delegating, leadership, and sales are necessary to service the client relationship
• Leadership and organizational skills are required to determine the Business Unit's goals
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services

Experience

• College or university degree &/or relevant proven work experience required. JD or similar credential strongly preferred.
• 12-15 years’ experience as a relationship manager or attorney in trust administration, estate administration, estate planning, or related fields.

Salary Range

$189,290 - 331,200 USD salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay.

Benefits

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.

Terms and Conditions

Candidate Privacy Notice
California Applicant Privacy Notice
Pay Transparency
Nondiscrimination Provision (U.S)
Transparency in Coverage Disclosure – North America
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center or call 1‑800‑807‑0302 (North America), +630‑276‑5353 (Asia Pacific), 1800‑425‑0333 (India), [phone] (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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. 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. This includes human resources’ decisions relating to recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, transfers, promotions and access to learning and development.

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, ancestry, national origin, ethnic origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital status, family status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, provincial, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

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. This includes human resources’ decisions relating to recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, transfers, promotions and access to learning and development.

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.)