PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF POSITION:  To work collaboratively with the members of the Tax, Trust and Estate Planning group to advise clients regarding estate planning strategies; implement estate planning decisions, coordinate services provided by outside legal counsel, review contracts, provide legal support for the Trust Department, and provide leadership to the employees of the Tacoma office by establishing and implementing standards and procedures.

OUTCOMES:

1. Be seen as a leader in the Tacoma office who promotes the FCI Way and supports FCI’s Management Principles.
2. Be a producer in estate planning.  Provide legal support and guidance to the Estate Planning and Trust Departments, Financial Consultants and others within the organization.  This includes setting priorities and ensuring deadlines are met.
3. Contributes to team effort by partnering with all departments within the organization and external resources to improve efficiency and speed of service, while maintaining accuracy and quality in the areas of estate planning, trust administration and legal compliance.
4. Provide best-in-class service to clients with a customer focus that builds and maintains client satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Provides leadership and direction to the employees in the Tacoma office, while also supporting the needs of the in-suite clients.  Works with the members of the President's Council to address any needs specific to the management and operations of the Tacoma office.
2. Counsels clients regarding estate planning strategies; implements estate planning decisions, coordinates services provided by outside counsel, prepares estate planning and management reports for presentation to clients, and coordinates the administration of estates.
3. Reviews estate planning documents prior to execution to ensure that the client’s objectives will be met.
4. Provides legal consultation and research for the Estate Planning and Trust Departments.
5. Reviews documents and contracts, and provides referrals to outside counsel when appropriate.
6. Undertakes general business planning and management responsibilities in specific active business or investment situations for clients.
7. Maintains professional and technical knowledge regarding developments in federal and state income, gift, estate, trust and other tax matters and with regard to pending legislation affecting those taxes by attending educational programs, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks and participating in professional organizations.
8. Maintains office staff performance by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.

COMPETENCIES:

1. Integrity:  demonstrates the highest level of integrity of oneself and demands the same of employees.
2. Accountability & Dependability:  takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, and achieves results with little oversight; takes ownership.
3. Critical Thinking:  ability to analyze situations, solve problems, think critically, create and make improvements.
4. Confidentiality:  demonstrates ability to protect confidential information (the business and lives of the clients are confidential to the outside world, and the client’s individual activities are confidential with respect to each other).
5. Decision Making & Judgment:  makes timely, informed decisions that take into account the facts, goals, constraints and risks.
6. Communicator:  speaks, listens, and writes clearly and effectively.
7. Technical Knowledge:  leverages knowledge and experience in estate planning, trusts, and tax.
8. Organized:  approaches the job in an organized and disciplined manner.
9. Researching Information: identifies, collects, and organizes data for analysis and decision-making.
10. Interaction with Others:  builds relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect; promotes commitment within the team to achieve goals.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Juris Doctorate required.  Licensed in the State of Washington preferred.
2. Minimum 10 years related experience (strong experience in estate planning; experience in trusts and financial planning is a plus).
3. Minimum 7 years professional office leadership experience.

Fiduciary Counselling, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer