Trust Officer

Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company based in Gauteng seeks a Trust Officer responsible for the administration of a trust portfolio, including Inter Vivos and Testamentary Trusts. The role requires a relevant tertiary qualification, professional admission, and a minimum of 5 years' experience in trust services. The Trust Officer will facilitate internal service coordination and maintain client relationships, ensuring effective management of trust documentation, compliance, and financial oversight.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a trust & fiduciary services environment.
• Membership of industry bodies (e.g., FISA and/or STEP) will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Administer own trust portfolio including Inter Vivos and Testamentary Trusts.
• Draft documentation for registration and amendment of trusts with the Master of the High Court.
• Attend and resolve general queries/requests from clients.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Resilience

Adaptability

Analytical skills

Planning and organising skills

Communication skills

Self-managing

Commitment to seeing tasks to completion

Education

Relevant tertiary legal or commerce qualification

Professional admission as an attorney or accountant

Advanced diploma in trust and estate administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job title: Trust Officer

Job Location: Gauteng, Centurion

Role Purpose

• The Trust Officer will be responsible for the administration of own trust portfolio which will include Inter Vivos Trusts (including Court Order Trusts) and Testamentary Trusts, and the development of business relationships with clients. The incumbent will also be responsible for facilitating internal service coordination to resolve issues and respond to client requests.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary legal or commerce qualification (required)
• Professional admission as an attorney or accountant (desirable)
• Advanced diploma in trust and estate administration (desirable)

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a trust & fiduciary services environment
• Membership of industry bodies (e.g. FISA and / or STEP) will be advantageous

Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Resilience
• Adaptability
• Analytical skills
• Planning and organising skills
• Communication skills
• Self-managing
• Commitment to seeing tasks to completion

Knowledge

• Knowledge expert in legal principles applicable to trusts, including the law of trusts, the taxation of trusts and the use of trusts in estate planning
• Basic principles of trust administration
• Microsoft Office
• Ability to implement and maintain proper governance processes relating to the administration of trusts
• Business writing skills
• Proficiency in utilising various line of business applications

Duties & Responsibilities

Internal Processes

• Drafting of required documentation for the registration and amendment of trusts (Court Order, Testamentary and Inter Vivos Trusts) with the Master of the High Court
• Act as nominee of the trust company on certain trusts
• Day to day administration of a portfolio of trusts
• Interpretation and application of the provisions of trust instruments
• Attend and resolve general queries / requests from clients
• Annual Trustee Meetings – facilitation and attendance
• Preparation of agenda and minutes
• Preparation of trustee resolutions
• Ensure trust payments are made on time and in accordance with the trustee resolutions
• Opening and closing of trust bank accounts
• Oversee the preparation of trust annual financial statements with the trusts’ accounting officer, including providing documentation required to prepare the statements and to ensure that the trusts’ tax affairs are compliant
• Liaison with third parties on behalf of the trust where required
• Ensure that trust portfolio is always up to date
• Provide key support to team members
• Monitoring existing investments and assets in trust portfolio together with the trusts’ financial advisers
• Preparation of monthly reports

Client Services

• Provide authoritative, expertise and assistance to clients and stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with clients and internal and external stakeholders
• Deliver on service level agreements made with clients and internal and external stakeholders in order to ensure that client expectations are managed
• Make recommendations to improve client service and fair treatment of clients within area of responsibility
• Participate and contribute to a culture which builds rewarding relationships, facilitates feedback and provides exceptional client service

People

• Develop and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships with peers, clients and stakeholders
• Positively influence and participate in change initiatives
• Continuously develop own expertise in terms of professional, industry and legislation knowledge
• Contribute to continuous innovation through the development, sharing and implementation of new ideas
• Take ownership for driving career development
• Effectively manage time and ensure optimal productivity
• Ensure technical product and legislative knowledge is always current in order to propose the most relevant and innovative client solutions and comply with governance requirements
• Be self-confident, self-motivated and relentlessly pursue targets and goals

Finance

• Identify solutions to enhance cost effectiveness and increase operational efficiency
• Manage financial and other company resources under your control with due respect
• Provide input into the risk identification processes and communicate recommendations in the appropriate forum

Competencies

• Meeting timescales
• Documenting facts
• Following procedures
• Upholding standards
• Producing output
• Interacting with people
• Checking things
• Providing insights