SVP, Chief Fiduciary Officer

Chief Fiduciary Officer

Wintrust Wealth Management serves the financial needs of private clients, including high net worth individuals, business owners, and institutions. Since our founding in 1931, we have been helping clients meet their increasingly complex financial goals with the highest standards of service and integrity. Through our four companies, Wintrust Investments LLC, Wintrust Private Trust, Great Lakes Advisors LLC, and The Chicago Deferred Exchange Company LLC, we offer comprehensive wealth management solutions, including investment, trust, and asset management services. Wintrust Wealth Management is a division of Wintrust, a financial services company with more than $66 billion in assets.

Job Description Summary

The Chief Fiduciary Officer (CFO–Fiduciary) is the senior-level Officer responsible for the design, governance, and execution of all fiduciary activities across the trust company. This role ensures that the organization consistently fulfills its fiduciary duties in accordance with applicable law, regulatory expectations, and the highest standards of prudence, loyalty, and care. As a member of the WPT leadership team, the CFO–Fiduciary partners closely with the CEO, Sr. Compliance Officer, WPT Investment Officers, Managing Directors – Administration Team Leads, Operations and Middle Office Services Team Leads, and other business line leaders to align fiduciary oversight with strategic growth while safeguarding the firm's reputation and mitigating risk. The CFO will also manage and administer a book of business and support new business development as needed.

Job Description

Fiduciary Governance & Oversight

• Review governing documents to provide a thorough fiduciary risk assessment, as part of the pre-acceptance process, in order for WPT Team Leads/Senior Management to assess acceptance of new business by WPT as Trustee and/or Co-Trustee
• Review trust agreements for opinion on interpretation issues and/or conflict; advise trust officers and team leads with conclusions on a timely basis; present to Discretionary Committee, Trust Administration and Management Committee
• Ensure consistent application of fiduciary standards across all accounts, including trusts, estates, guardianships, and agency relationships
• Serve as final escalation (prior to TDC, if necessary) point for complex fiduciary matters and discretionary decisions

Risk Management & Compliance

• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Risk to ensure adherence to fiduciary laws (e.g., Prudent Investor Rule, Uniform Trust Code, ERISA where applicable)
• Oversee fiduciary risk management framework, including account reviews, exception tracking, and mitigation strategies
• Participate in regulatory exam readiness and responses (e.g., OCC, state banking regulators, internal audit)
• Monitor and mitigate litigation, reputational, and operational risks associated with fiduciary activities – in conjunction with WPT Compliance team

Policy Development & Best Practices

• Develop, implement, and maintain fiduciary policies, procedures, and best practices across the enterprise
• Ensure scalability and consistency as the firm grows in complexity and geography
• Drive modernization of fiduciary processes, including integration of technology and data governance

Fiduciary Administration and Business Development

• Administer and oversee a portfolio of high-complexity trusts, including Irrevocable Trusts, Dynasty Trusts, Charitable Trusts, SLATs and Private
• Maintain deep expertise in fiduciary income tax; estate and gift tax considerations and other complex fiduciary knowledge – remain knowledgeable and updated on industry trends
• Ensure appropriate discretionary distribution practices aligned with governing instruments and client intent
• Oversee acceptance and onboarding standards for new fiduciary relationships within one's book
• Oversee administration of unique assets (closely held business interests, real estate, concentrated positions)
• Serve as main point of contact for client communication and navigate sensitive family dynamics with discretion and authority
• Partner with external advisors (attorneys, CPAs) on complex tax and estate planning issues; work closely with WPC, GLA, WTI and other business lines on promoting WPT services and presenting our services to prospective clients

Strategic Leadership

• Act as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on fiduciary implications of new products, services, and markets
• Support business development efforts by providing fiduciary expertise in high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth client situations
• Partner with investment leadership to ensure alignment between fiduciary duty and portfolio management practices
• Project Management - Identify and lead initiatives to improve consistency in account coding, processing, documentation, and reporting; Collaborate with technology colleagues to develop and enhance administrative and reporting systems that drive efficiency

Talent Development & Culture

• Build and lead a high-performing fiduciary organization, including senior trust officers and specialists
• Lead and manage the Trust Real Estate Team
• Establish training programs to elevate fiduciary acumen across the firm
• Promote a culture of fiduciary excellence, accountability, and client-first decision making
• Raises the profile of Wintrust Wealth Management / WPT through community involvement
• Mentorship within WPT and participate outside of WPT within Wintrust in a mentorship program

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Specialized Advanced degree (PhD, J.D.)
• CTFA and/or CFP Preferred or equivalent years of experience

Compensation

The estimated salary range for this role is $117,000 - $158,000, along with eligibility to earn an annual bonus and incentive compensation. Actual salaries may vary based on several factors, such as a candidate's qualifications, skills and experience.

Wintrust Financial Corporation, including community banking and financial services subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.