Director of Trust & Estates, Wealth Strategist

Description

We are seeking a Director of Trust and Estates, Wealth Strategist within the Financial Planning Group of our wealth management firm.  This position uses expertise in various areas of financial, estate, and tax planning to provide holistic estate, trust and financial planning strategies and solutions for ultra-high net worth individuals and multi-generational families. This client-facing role is a key member of a collaborative team providing their expertise in strategic wealth planning to support the Managing Director in empowering the client to achieve their goals. 

This position offers some work from home flexibility of up to 2 days per week after initial orientation period.

Position responsibilities include: 

Estate and Legacy Planning

• Perform estate planning document reviews by reading clients will, trusts, power of attorney, marital agreement, partnerships, or other legal documents and may create summaries, flowcharts, observations and recommendations.
• Develop and/or review technical, complex, and comprehensive estate plans focused on wealth transfer and estate planning that align with client values and minimize tax implications.
• Research and model financial, charitable, estate, and tax planning topics related to proposed or completed client transactions and offers analysis and recommendations.
• Participates in client meetings to present strategies and educate clients on complex estate and trust concepts.
• Review prospective client’s estate, trust, tax, and financials and prepare recommendations on potential estate and wealth planning strategies.
• Serve as SME in estate and trust planning, advanced estate planning and gift tax planning.
• Collaborate with the client’s estate attorney to coordinate client solutions.

Comprehensive Financial Planning

• Review and understand financial statements and business entity agreements to provide recommendations on titling and business structure.
• Experience with business entity selection, reorganization, and succession planning desired.
• Develop knowledge of all assigned clients through proactively cultivating relationships with Managing Director’s and understanding the client’s financial position and goals through review of client files and CRM.

Mentorship and Team Leadership

• Participate in training and educating team members on estate and trust planning topics and deliverables.
• Review planning deliverables prepared by planning team and identify planning opportunities.
• Mentor and develop team members in estate, trust, and tax planning.
• May prepare white papers, articles, or guides for internal or external audience.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaboration with cross functional team: Managing Directors, tax, portfolio management, client service, and trust services.
• Interface with client attorneys, accountants, and other advisors to implement planning strategies.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, taxation, finance, or related field
• JD, CFP®, CPA CPWA, MST, or LLM in taxation designation preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience working for a law, accounting, or advisory firm within this practice area.
• Possess extensive experience in strategic wealth planning for high-net worth individuals and multi-generational families.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong team player with a commitment to company values

Clearstead is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from minorities and women. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.  

The qualified candidate can expect:

• A flat, bureaucracy-free organizational structure that fosters creative thinking and involvement at all levels of the organization
• The opportunity to join a growing firm that offers professional growth in an industry that is both dynamic and intellectually challenging
• An opportunity to work with high-profile private clients and institutions across the country
• A competitive base salary with an incentive bonus program
• 401(k) Savings plan with company contributions
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Long-term disability insurances
• Generous paid time off program

We are Clearstead…an independent institutional and wealth advisory firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Our institutional clients include retirement funds, endowments, and foundations, higher educational institutions, and healthcare organizations. Our private clients are families, individuals, and related entities.

There’s a popular line at Clearstead, “There are no sharp elbows.” There is a palpable sense of kindness and respect for one another; of doing what is right for clients and the firm. Our culture is collaborative and collegial and encourages sharing of information and ideas. This helps us attract and retain strong and motivated individuals.