Senior Estate and Tax Specialist The Senior Estate and Trust Specialist deepens client relationships, delivers exceptional estate and tax planning services to Vanguard's highest-net-worth and most complex clients, and influences wealth planning strategy. This role serves as a recognized subject matter expert, providing sophisticated planning solutions, thought leadership, and strategic guidance to clients, advisors, and senior leadership.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Conduct trust, estate, and/or tax planning analyses for Vanguard's highest-net-worth clients (generally $25M+ in assets). Provide consultation on the most complex planning scenarios, leveraging deep expertise in wealth transfer strategies, multigenerational planning, charitable giving, asset protection, and/or tax planning. Develop client presentation materials and demonstrate exceptional professional presence and relationship management skills. Deliver expert consultative services to advised Wealth Management clients and prospective clients with highly complex financial circumstances. Evaluate planning structures and legal entities as planning solutions for estate and tax planning consultations, evaluate tax returns and tax strategies, analyze client objectives for all consultation types, and recommend strategies aligned with their goals and needs. Serve as Vanguard's ambassador and subject matter expert on wealth transfer, estate planning, and/or tax planning for clients, professional advisors, media engagements, family meetings, webinars, blogs, and other external forums. Contribute thought leadership through publications, working groups, and research initiatives, including collaborating on Vanguard and Investment Strategy Group (ISG) content. Lead planning discussions in estate planning and/or tax planning for ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families, including clients with assets exceeding $1 billion. Influence the strategic direction of the group's service delivery model, including new business development initiatives and offer strategy. Identify opportunities for service enhancements and lead initiatives that improve client outcomes and operational effectiveness. Provide estate and trust planning and/or income tax planning expertise to internal stakeholders, including Relationship Managers, Financial Advisors, Sales, Marketing, and other business partners. Partner with financial advisors as they support clients in these subject areas, as well as with other wealth planning teams including Family Legacy and Vanguard National Trust Company. Mentor, coach, and develop junior team members. Support onboarding and training efforts for new specialists and contribute to the hiring and evaluation of team members, including experienced external candidates. Maintain expert knowledge of the competitive, legal, regulatory, and fiduciary landscape affecting wealth management, estate planning, trust services, and/or income tax. Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Juris Doctor (JD), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of Taxation, or another relevant advanced degree requiredCFP, CTFA, or other relevant industry designations preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of estate and trust planning and/or income tax planning experience, including advising ultra-high-net-worth clients with assets exceeding $20 million.
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.
Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients, external professional advisors, and internal partners at all organizational levels.
Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
Knowledge of Vanguard investment products and the broader asset management industry preferred.
Ability to travel approximately 25%.
