Trust Manager

THE ROLE

You will run the Trust Services team: the people, the operations, the controls and the reporting. Day to day that means workload allocation and coaching, technical guidance on complex administration matters, oversight of high-value onboarding, and the management reporting that senior management and the Board rely on. It is a leadership role in a growing group, with genuine scope to shape process rather than inherit it.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and manage Trust Officers, Trust Associates, Trust Administrators and support staff.
• Own departmental resource planning, workload allocation and service delivery standards.
• Conduct coaching, performance reviews and development planning.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and retention within the department.
• Build a culture of professionalism, accountability and continuous improvement.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee daily trust administration and the timely execution of trust-related activities.
• Review complex administration matters and provide technical guidance to the team.
• Monitor productivity, service levels and operational effectiveness.
• Develop and improve operational processes, workflows and controls.
• Drive digitalisation and operational excellence initiatives.

Onboarding & Client Relationships

• Oversee and review onboarding of new trust and fiduciary clients for efficiency and compliance.
• Support the team on complex onboarding cases and high-value engagements.
• Join selected client meetings involving sophisticated structures, family succession, trust restructuring or sensitive matters.
• Maintain relationships with key clients, professional advisers, intermediaries and business partners.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies and fiduciary obligations.
• Work with Compliance and Risk on AML/CFT, CRS/FATCA, KYC and regulatory matters.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation measures and controls.
• Support internal audits, regulatory inspections and compliance reviews.

Management Reporting & Strategy

• Prepare periodic management reports for senior management and the Board.
• Track departmental KPIs, operational metrics, service levels and risk indicators.
• Escalate significant issues and recommend process and resourcing changes.
• Contribute to budgeting, manpower planning and departmental performance targets.
• Represent Trust Services in management meetings and cross-functional initiatives.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Essential

• Degree in Law, Business, Finance, Accountancy, Estate Planning or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in trust administration, fiduciary services, private banking, wealth management, estate planning or legal services.
• At least 3 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Strong understanding of trust administration, fiduciary structures and estate planning concepts.
• Familiarity with AML/CFT, CRS/FATCA and the wider regulatory and compliance framework.
• Excellent report-writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong leadership, organisational and stakeholder management skills.

Advantageous

• Professional qualifications such as STEP/TEP, AEPP®, CPA, ACCA, CFA, CLU or ChFC.
• Experience leading a trust or fiduciary operations team through a systems or process change.
• Ability to converse in Mandarin, in order to engage Mandarin-speaking clients and their families.

HOW YOU WORK

• Confident engaging senior management, clients and professional advisers.
• Analytical and structured — you bring the recommendation, not just the issue.
• High personal standards of professionalism, integrity and attention to detail.
• Comfortable building process where none exists yet.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A leadership role with direct exposure to senior management and the Board.
• Scope to shape operational excellence and business transformation projects, including digitalisation.
• Professional development and sponsorship for relevant industry qualifications.
• Clear career progression within a growing trust and estate planning group.
• Medical and dental benefits upon confirmation.
• Annual salary review and performance-based bonus.

WORK ARRANGEMENTS

• Central (Tanjong Pagar).
• 5-day work week.