Chief Trust Officer - Richmond, Virginia

At New Horizon, we’re building a bank that runs on grit, speed, and execution. We move fast, challenge assumptions, and obsess over doing things better — for our clients and for each other. This isn’t a place for red tape; it’s a place for builders. From product design to client experience to operations, we’re constantly pushing for sharper thinking and smarter solutions. Our team is made up of passionate individuals who share a relentless drive to enhance our services and deliver exceptional experiences. If you’re energized by momentum, motivated by results, and excited to shape the future of banking, you’ll feel right at home here.

New Horizon Bank, N.A., a nationally chartered and forward-thinking community bank, is expanding its platform through the formation of a Trust Division. The trust business will provide personal, corporate, and institutional fiduciary services, as well as specialized products that intersect with our broader financial ecosystem — including SPAC escrows, M&A holdbacks, 1031 exchanges, and digital-asset custody partnerships.

General Job Summary:

The Chief Trust Officer (CTO) will be responsible for building, leading, and overseeing all trust-related operations from inception through scaling. This executive will continue the work begun to build the trust division, execute on the business plan, design and implement fiduciary governance, and position the trust entity as an integral growth driver within the New Horizon family of companies.

Strategic Leadership & Regulatory Formation:

• Lead the execution of the Bank’s business (strategic) plan for the business as outlined in the “Business Plan” submitted to the OCC.
• Partner with the CEO, General Counsel, and regulators to finalize any necessary uncompleted work to secure fiduciary powers, corporate approvals, and compliance readiness.
• Engage with other bank executive leaders to secure support for the new division.

Fiduciary Oversight & Governance:

• Establish fiduciary policies, procedures, and internal controls consistent with 12 CFR Part 9 and other applicable regulations.
• Create a Trust Committee, with oversight of fiduciary risk, audit findings, and policy.
• Serve as the regulatory liaison for trust-related examinations and compliance matters.
• Provide reporting to the Trust and Investment Committee of the board.

Business Development & Growth:

• Design and execute a multi-segment growth plan encompassing:
• Personal trust and estate administration
• Corporate and institutional trust services (escrow, SPAC, paying agent, etc.)
• Investment management partnerships
• Technology-enabled fiduciary solutions through NHB Core Build and White Bay family office collaborations
• Identify and develop new revenue channels through capital markets, fintech integrations, and family office relationships.

Operational & Technology Leadership:

• Oversee the selection and implementation of accounting, custody, and client systems (if this has not already been completed prior to hire date)
• Identify other vendors needed for the execution of fiduciary activities and being mindful to stage engagement with need and the impact on the Bank’s expenses.
• Collaborate with NHB’s Chief Technology Officer-Core Build to integrate trust data into the broader NHB technology platform for unified client experience.
• Recruit, train, and lead the trust administration and operations team.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as a visible ambassador of New Horizon’s fiduciary capabilities with clients, regulators, and investors.
• Partner with business development teams, private bankers, and corporate bankers to originate new trust relationships tied to core deposit and commercial growth.
• Provide strategic input to the Board on fiduciary trends, M&A opportunities, and innovation across the trust and wealth ecosystem.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of fiduciary law, trust operations, and regulatory frameworks. 
• Proven track record establishing or scaling a trust business within a bank or standalone trust company.
• Demonstrated expertise in corporate and institutional trust, including SPAC, escrow, and M&A structures.
• Strong knowledge of trust accounting systems, risk management, and compliance frameworks.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, capable of balancing regulatory discipline with business growth.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder-management skills.

Key Competencies:

• Builder mindset: Ability to establish a trust operation from concept to execution.
• Regulatory credibility: Trusted by examiners and boards alike.
• Strategic connector: Understands intersections between fiduciary services, SPAC capital structures, and deposit growth.
• Technological fluency: Comfortable integrating trust operations into modern core systems and fintech frameworks.
• Collaborative leader: Works cross-functionally with banking, technology, and investor teams.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, accounting, or law required; JD, CTFA, or CFP preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership in trust, fiduciary, or wealth management, preferably with prior experience in a charter formation or OCC-regulated environment.

*We will consider candidate in our 3 Markets:  Richmond, Norfolk and Northern Virginia