First American Bank was founded in Chicago, and over the years has expanded throughout Wisconsin and Florida.  As the largest privately held bank in Illinois, we now have over 60 locations and assets of $5+ billion.  We are a community bank at heart with international expertise, traditional values, and a forward-looking philosophy.  Our employees have the experience and vision to meet the needs of savers, borrowers, and businesses in the 21st century.  First American Bank can offer employees a level of visibility, career growth, and stability that is difficult to find in many larger corporations.

This position is responsible managing of a team of fiduciary services employees and managing assigned complex or high net-worth customer relationships. The Fiduciary Services Manager is also responsible for developing relationships with centers of influence that result in recurring or one-time fees for the bank.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee a team of trust administrators. Directly manage the daily activities of employees within the Fiduciary Services department, coordinating and prioritizing requisite duties and daily assignments while appraising employee productivity and performance. Compose and deliver performance evaluations.
• Responsible for employee hiring, training, staff development, scheduling, and direct assistance with coverage of daily workloads when needed. Monitor work standards and adherence to company policies. Proactively deliver feedback to direct reports to promote staff development and administer corrective action as needed.
• Develop and execute business plans to achieve new relationship acquisition, business partner referrals, and existing relationship expansion to meet or exceed sales and group retention goals.
• Assess and effectively manage all risks associated with business objectives and activities to ensure regulatory and internal compliance requirements are satisfied.
• Develop, implement, analyze, and update procedures and policies for the department in accordance with regulations. Ensure compliance by developing and delivering training sessions and materials to efficiently and comprehensively educate new and existing employees to mitigate risk for the bank and maximize departmental efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and recommend improvements to streamline processes. Prioritize and adapt operational functions as business needs change, helping team members to assess the needs of the department and project urgencies.
• Lead project teams and manage various projects, including option comparison and cost/benefit analysis through to completion, emphasizing regulatory needs. Ensure all project tasks and phases are completed in a satisfactory manner.
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency, adhere to deadlines, and effectively manage multiple projects.
• Understand project stakeholders’ needs and requirements to execute projects effectively. Utilize experience to make sole determinations and decisions regarding projects while remaining in line with project and stakeholder goals to produce a satisfactory end product.
• Arrange and conduct client meetings, evaluate new account relationships, assign trust administrator, and maintain assigned book of business in accordance with established standards of service.
• Assure relationship profitability by monitoring service levels, fee revenue, and the assessment of additional fees for extraordinary services rendered.
• Thoroughly understand the services and products offered by First American Bank’s Wealth Management department.
• Review and control number and types of account relationships assigned to each trust administrator. Track all sales activities in CRM software.
• Call on prospective referral sources in the communities which the wealth management group serves, centers of influence such as attorneys, accountants, and professional organizations.
• Promote teamwork to encourage participation to enhance productivity.
• Serve as an active member of any committee to which assigned and attend all required meetings.
• Conduct and complete additional assignments/projects as designated by management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in finance, accounting, business, or other related area required. CTFA, JD or CPA preferred.
• Minimum ten years in an environment focused on wealth management and trust/estate administration.
• Knowledge of trust and estate administration, investments, estate planning, tax, legal, insurance, and banking products is required.
• Demonstrated ability to use critical thinking to mitigate risk.
• A history of academic and/or professional success with a persistent desire for professional development and a proven track record of achieving results.
• Must be professional, comfortable speaking with external and internal contacts with a demonstrated ability to effectively tailor the message appropriately to the audience and situation.
• Demonstrated ability to convey thoughts and ideas effectively and succinctly via written formats, including emails, letters, and electronic platforms. Maintain professional standards relating to spelling and grammar.
• Maintain credibility through professional demeanor, appearance, and presence by modeling standards appropriate to our environment and industry.
• Maintain good working relationships with internal partners by exhibiting exemplary interpersonal skills, adopting a constructive, solutions-focused approach.
• Use sound professional judgment to balance the interests of the organization and customer, understanding and using available resources to mitigate risks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 0365 products and applications, including the ability to effectively prepare or review documents, procedures, and reports.
• Experience with Trust Accounting Systems preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new systems and applications, as well as the ability to understand, adapt and adjust responsibilities/workflows resulting from system upgrades.
• This position requires regular travel by car to various locations throughout the Bank's Chicago market. Occasional out-of-state travel may be required.
• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required depending upon business need.