Chief Operating Officer, Trust (St. Louis)

This job posting is anticipated to remain open for 30 days, from 15-Jul-2026. The posting may close early due to the volume of applicants. The Chief Operating Officer (COO), Trust Company, is a senior executive responsible for the overall operating performance, financial management, business execution, and regulatory readiness of the Trust Company. The COO serves as the principal operating leader of the organization, translating strategic objectives into measurable business outcomes while balancing growth, profitability, client service, fiduciary obligations, and risk management. The COO has enterprise accountability for execution of the Trust Company's business plan, including financial performance, operational effectiveness, digital transformation, vendor and affiliate oversight, technology enablement, and regulatory preparedness. This leader ensures the Trust Company operates with consistency, scalability, and strong governance in a highly regulated fiduciary environment. As a member of the Trust Company Executive Leadership Team, the COO partners closely with the CEO, Chief Fiduciary Officer, Chief Investment Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Legal, Compliance, Risk, and enterprise stakeholders to align priorities, resolve strategic tradeoffs, and drive sustainable business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Operating Performance

Own execution of the Trust Company's strategic and operating plans, ensuring alignment between business objectives, operating capabilities, and financial results.

Financial Leadership and P&L Management

Direct accountability for Trust Company financial performance, including revenue growth, expense management, productivity improvement, profitability, forecasting accuracy, and achievement of business targets.

Business Execution and Governance

Lead the Trust Company's operating rhythm by translating strategy into measurable goals, key performance indicators, and execution roadmaps while driving accountability across leadership teams.

Operational Leadership

Exercise enterprise decision‑making authority across operating models, service delivery, workforce planning, resource allocation, and process optimization to ensure scalable and efficient operations.

Risk, Regulatory, and Fiduciary Execution

Maintain executive accountability for operational risk management, regulatory readiness, examination support, remediation activities, control effectiveness, and adherence to fiduciary requirements and trust regulations.

Technology and Digital Delivery

Govern technology investments and digital initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness, client experience, data capabilities, and long‑term scalability.

Vendor and Affiliate Oversight

Provide executive oversight of third‑party vendors, affiliated relationships, and strategic partnerships to ensure performance, compliance, service quality, and risk mitigation objectives are achieved.

Executive Escalation and Problem Resolution

Chair executive reviews and escalation forums for complex client, operational, fiduciary, and regulatory matters while ensuring timely decisions and sustainable corrective actions.

Leadership and Talent Development

Build and develop a high‑performing leadership team by strengthening organizational capability, succession readiness, managerial effectiveness, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Enterprise and External Partnership

Represent the Trust Company with regulators, industry organizations, service providers, and enterprise partners while influencing strategic decisions, assessing emerging risks, and advancing organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Law, or related field; Master's degree (MBA, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline) preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in trust, wealth management, banking, fiduciary services, or financial services.
• Trust industry leadership experience within a regulated trust company.
• Professional fiduciary, trust, banking, or risk-related certifications.
• Significant experience managing business operations, financial performance, and regulatory environments.
• Experience leading large-scale operating teams and enterprise initiatives.

Benefits

• Edward Jones' compensation and benefits package includes medical and prescription drug, dental, vision, voluntary benefits (such as accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness), short-and-long-term disability, basic life, and basic AD&D coverage.
• Short-and-long-term disability, basic life, and basic AD&D coverage are provided at no cost to associates.
• Edward Jones offers a 401k retirement plan, and tax-advantaged accounts: health savings account, and flexible spending account.
• Edward Jones observes ten paid holidays and provides 15 days of vacation for new associates beginning on January 1 of each year, as well as sick time, personal days, and a paid day for volunteerism.
• Associates may be eligible for bonuses and profit sharing.
• All associates are eligible for the firm's Employee Assistance Program.

Equal Opportunity / Fair Chance

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. Edward Jones is prohibited from hiring individuals with certain specified criminal history as set forth in Section 3(a)(39) and 15(b)(4) and Rule 17a-3(a)(12) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and conducts background reviews consistent with FINRA Rule 3110(e). A copy of a notice regarding the provisions of the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance is available at: dcba.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FCOE-Official-Notice-Eng-Final-8.30.2024.pdf.