Trust Specialist

Synovus Financial Corp.; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Synovus Financial Corp. in Birmingham, AL seeks a Trust Specialist to support Trust Advisors and clients, handling account setup, daily processing, and documentation. The role emphasizes delivering distinctive service and strong client communication.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years in trust operations or related banking roles, with deep knowledge of trust documents and compliance. Collaboration with CPAs, attorneys, and other providers is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in trust operations, banking, or related roles.
• Strong knowledge of trust documents, regulations, compliance, and client service.

Responsibilities

• Builds strong client relationships and addresses inquiries, research, and issues with Relationship Managers.
• Coordinates daily account activities including opening/closing, cash management, transfers, and reporting.
• Prepares and manages investment policy statements and related documentation.
• Coordinates with CPAs, attorneys, and service providers on tax, estate, and personal issues.
• Assists with proposals, presentations, and marketing materials; supports policy/procedure improvements.
• Generates complex financial, statistical, and ad hoc reports; ensures data accuracy and confidentiality.
• Serves as liaison with internal teams and third-party partners to resolve system/service issues.
• Maintains proper account documentation and adheres to SOPs; conducts file audits as needed.
• Acts as subject matter expert and mentors junior team members on complex issues.
• Participates in client meetings and special projects as requested.
• Raises risk awareness and ensures compliance with policies and laws.

Skills

Client relationships

Trust operations

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance

Job description

Job Summary

A Trust Specialist should demonstrate commitment to delivering distinctive service. This position will be responsible for providing a combination of general support for specific Trust Advisors and their clients. The support incorporates internal activities through the system coding and preparation of documents related to trust activities, including account setup and daily processing. The position also provides a primary resource of support for all client service needs through consistent availability to the client.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Builds strong relationships with clients and manages and anticipates client needs to respond to inquiries, research and resolve account issues, and provide beneficial information. Works directly with clients in tandem with Relationship Managers and internal business partners in the development of recommendations and solutions for clients.
• Coordinates and monitors all daily activities and transactions necessary for the efficient administration of accounts including account opening and closing, cash management, asset transfers, bill review and payment processing, cash disbursements, charitable gifting, private banking, and correspondence. Identifies risks and operational challenges and takes steps to mitigate risk and enhance operating systems and processes.
• Institutional Trust Team: Prepares and manages client investment policy statements and investment documentation forms. Obtains signatures and maintains documentation.
• Personal Trust Team: Coordinate client tax, estate and personal issues with CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents and other service providers.
• Provides administrative support to the Relationship Managers and assists with gathering information required for presentations. Assists with the development of proposals, presentations, marketing materials and other business communications. Works directly with the management team to develop and/or modify policies, procedures and processes related to department activity.
• Develops and maintains more complex department financial, statistical and other ad hoc reports. Collects and organizes data from several sources, including system data extract and download . Works with the Information Technology systems administration teams to ensure data accuracy, integrity and confidentiality is maintained.
• Maintains effective working relationships with system or servicing third party business partners as requested. Serves as a liaison facilitating the prompt resolution of system issues and other service support issues. Partners with internal teams on system related projects and functional user issues and service requests.
• Creates and maintains proper account documentation and files account related material according to the prescribed system in a timely manner. Ensures data is maintained in accordance with document retention requirements and distribution is based on need to know and authorizes level of access. Performs random file audits as needed to ensure compliance with department SOPs; identifies discrepancies and works with management to determine the appropriate follow-up course of action.
• Serves as the team subject matter expert and receives escalated and more complex department issues for resolution. Provides problem resolution assistance to junior team members on escalated issues. Within SOP guidelines identifies the appropriate course of action to ensure prompt and effective responses. Acts on behalf of supervisor as requested including distributing and reviewing the work of junior team members.
• Attends client meetings as requested with and perform special projects as assigned.
• Each team member is expected to be aware of risk within their functional area. This includes observing all policies, procedures, laws, regulations and risk limits specific to their role. Additionally, they should raise and report known or suspected violations to the appropriate Company authority in a timely fashion.
• Meet all the client's financial needs, both business and personal, and refer clients to other specialty areas such as Trust, Investments, Insurance, Treasury Management, etc. as appropriate.
• Assist other team members as needed to ensure delivery of distinctive service.
• Performs other related duties as required.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Pinnacle is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.

Minimum Experience

minimum of 10 years of experience in trust operations, banking, or related roles.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

strong knowledge base relative to trust documents, products, services; strong knowledge of trust regulations, compliance, and industry best practices; excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities. Effective interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication skills. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Strong analytical skills. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to work independently and prioritize daily tasks. Excellent client service skills. Tact and diplomacy in dealing with both clients and team members. The physical activities of this job include but are not limited to the ability to stand and sit for prolonged periods of time, use of manual dexterity, verbal communication, visual acuity, repetitive motion, and the ability to hear. Often long periods of mental concentration are required. Other activities are the ability to bend, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, walk, push, pull, lift, and grasp.

Applicants with Disabilities

All interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply for employment opportunities with Synovus. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us at [e-mail].

Pinnacle Bank, a Tennessee bank, d/b/a Synovus Bank

Synovus is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.