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Senior Trust/Fiduciary Advisor, WM

Northern Trust · Chicago, IL · $164,600–$288,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the most complex trust relationship you've managed. What made it complex?

What they are checking: Whether they've handled high net worth and ultra-high net worth relationships with real complexity.

Tell me about a client service problem you resolved. How did you keep the client's trust?

What they are checking: Whether they own issues and resolve them with care.

How do you work with investment and banking partners on the service team?

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate well as part of a team serving the client.

What would you do

A beneficiary asks for a large discretionary distribution that other beneficiaries may object to. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance competing interests and act impartially as a fiduciary.

How do you explain fiduciary decisions to family members who are upset?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate with empathy while protecting the trust.

How do you prioritize when several high-profile clients need attention at the same time?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage a demanding book without letting service slip.

About the work

How do you interpret a trust document when the language about distributions is unclear?

What they are checking: Whether they understand fiduciary duty and when to involve trust counsel.

How do you work with a client's outside attorneys and accountants?

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate with professional advisors to serve the client well.

What are the key steps in administering a trust after the grantor dies?

What they are checking: Whether they know trust administration from start to finish.

How do you make sure your trust accounts stay compliant with policies and regulations?

What they are checking: Whether they take risk and compliance seriously in daily work.

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The full job description

As published by Northern Trust.

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. SENIOR TRUST/FIDUCIARY ADVISOR, WEALTH MANAGEMENT OH: R157020 The Senior Relationship Advisor role manages complex wealth management high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) client relationships and delivers high-quality fiduciary and administrative services. Partner assumes primary responsibility for overall client satisfaction by collaborating with other members of the service team and appropriate NT resources to ensure timely delivery of exceptional service, issue resolution, effective communication of client needs to others, and coordination with client’s professional advisors to identify and implement advisory solutions. • Manages assigned account base of 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 clear knowledge of governing documents and account agreements, depth of knowledge of fiduciary duties and applicable laws, including trust and tax law, estate planning techniques, financial planning, asset management and prudent investment principles. Pursues ongoing development of fiduciary and advisory knowledge and skills through training and experience. • Primarily responsible for leading client conversations for life driven wealth management, providing proactive advice to clients on NT’s products/services, emerging issues, regulatory/tax changes, and appropriate actions for the client. Explains complicated concepts to clients in a thoughtful way using non-technical terminology and offers advisory solutions. Maintains a working knowledge of various NT resources and utilizes fiduciary knowledge, experience, and NT resources to identify opportunities for relationship enhancement. • Proactive client service with responsiveness, diplomacy and tact, using written and verbal communication with suitable frequency. • Builds and maintains knowledge of NT fiduciary standards and practices, applies fiduciary knowledge and judgment to 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. • 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. • Travels to meet with clients where appropriate considering revenue, new business opportunities, or servicing requirements. • Teaches and mentors less experienced partners. Provides leadership on fiduciary projects and committees. Work collaboratively with internal partners and external professional advisors in identifying client needs and goals and developing advice-driven solutions for clients. • Implements complex initiatives involving multiple disciplines and/or ambiguous issues. The successful candidate will benefit from having the following competencies: • 12 - 15 years’ experience as a relationship manager in trust administration, estate administration, estate planning, or related fields. • Due to the complexity of this portfolio, experience in working with high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients is preferred. • The ability to manage a complex portfolio of over a million and/or billion in account under management (AUM). • Knowledge of fiduciary and financial products and services, usually acquired through related work experience, needed to manage client accounts. • Technical knowledge of investments, tax, legal, and operations usually acquired through formal education or related experience. • Knowledge of fiduciary standards, principles, and applicable laws and regulations usually acquired through training, seminars, or law school. • Skills in negotiating, problem solving, delegating, leadership, and sales are necessary to service the client relationship. In addition, a JD, and/or a CFP, CPWA and other related professional designations are strongly desired for this role. • Leadership and organizational skills are required to determine the Business Unit's goals, resources needed, and to assess and develop the skills of staff. 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). Salary Range: $164,600 - 288,000 USD Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. 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 MyHRHelp@ntrs.com , or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

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