SVP-Client Advisor, Philanthropic Services

Description

Whittier Trust is the oldest privately owned multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, providing exceptional client service and highly customized investment solutions for high-net-worth individuals and their families.

Our dedicated professionals work with clients and their families to deliver a broad array of services including investment management, fiduciary, philanthropic, and family office. Our founding family’s century-long history of entrepreneurship continues to guide our activities for clients today. Entrusted with private family assets, our teams employ a consulting approach to tailor solutions for complex family situations.

Whittier Trust attracts professionals who have a desire to grow while building their skills in the service to our clients. Our organization is flat, nimble, and uniquely attuned to the needs and desires of both today’s entrepreneurs as well as legacy family members who may be several generations removed from the wealth creators. Our corporate culture is one of client-focus, collaboration, performance and accountability, family orientation and long-term career satisfaction. Employee turnover is low because of a high level of engagement and career fulfillment.

The position offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, performance bonus, equity consideration, excellent medical, and retirement plans.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The SVP works very closely with, in support of, and often as a stand in for, the Director of  Philanthropic Services.  The position requires supervising and mentoring several client advisory and administration staff members.   It is also a client advisory position involving extensive client contact through provision of counsel and guidance as well as full administration for a portfolio of private foundations, donor-advised funds and nonprofit endowments.  On each account, the client advisor will work with and be supported by a client administration officer and, if applicable, will work collaboratively with an investment officer.  The job requires the ability to travel (mostly in the western United Stated) to call on clients, referral sources and prospective clients.  The position also includes a meaningful business development responsibility. 

Client Service Duties

1. Philanthropic advisement:

• Consulting with clients and prospective clients about the best vehicles and strategies to employ to fulfill their charitable goals
• Developing and implementing plans to involve younger generations in the family’s philanthropy
• Planning and facilitating strategic planning retreats to develop mission/vision values

1. Client meetings: 

• Schedule, plan and facilitate client board and committee meetings and site visits (with administrative support)
• In conjunction with Client Administrator, prepare all meeting materials; keep minutes; and implement Board decisions
• Coordinate participation of outside advisors or experts, as needed
• Facilitate and organize family meetings (where required)

1. Financial oversight (primary responsibility by Whittier’s Accounting and/or Investment Departments): 

• Review annual financial statements and periodic income and expense report
• Review supporting documentation for annual tax preparation and audits
• Review investment performance reports; schedule and facilitate investment performance reviews by Portfolio Managers
• Oversee insurance renewals

1. Relationship management:

• Maintain and seek opportunities to improve client relationships
• Proactively address issues and opportunities as they arise
• Go above and beyond to demonstrate exceptional client service; i.e., be available when clients need you, and engage with their personal interests and life events

1. Grants administration oversight (primary responsibility by Client Administrators)

• Identify and perform research on grantees that map to clients’ missions
• Perform due diligence review of nonprofit grant applicants
• Prepare grant write-ups for Boards (where required)
• Plan and conduct grantee site visits (where required)
• Monitor grantee compliance with grant terms
• Oversee maintenance of grant files

1. Compliance Oversight:

• As requested, work with the Foundation’s outside attorney(s) to ensure bylaws and governance policies are in place and kept up-to-date with current law.
• Ensure timely and accurate annual filings with regulatory agencies

Departmental Operations Duties

1. Supervise and mentor several advisory and/or administration staff members
2. Together with the Department Director, determine annual bonuses and salary increases for department staff
3. Schedule and lead department staff meetings
4. Schedule and lead department business development meetings
5. Serve as the primary interface between department and our client foundations’ outside auditors and tax preparers
6. Play a lead role in developing and updating the department’s marketing materials
7. Take on special projects as requested by the Director
8. Answer questions and provide relevant philanthropic materials in response to inquiries from other firm professionals/departments
9. Stand in for Director when needed (approvals, participation in meetings, staff member inquiries, etc.)
10. Play a lead role in identifying and vetting new resources for our team, developing new partnerships, preparing presentations for speaking engagements, etc.
11. Assist the Director in finding appropriate candidates for departmental job openings and participate in the interview process
12. Play a lead role in training other departments on philanthropic services topics and orienting new firm employees regarding our philanthropic services offerings

Business Development Duties

1. Identify and bring new clients to the firm
2. Play a supportive role in other departments’ business development efforts
3. Seek out opportunities for speaking engagements (conferences, webinars, etc.)

DESIRED SKILLS

1. Organization & Administration:  Extremely strong organizational and project management skills enabling the impeccable servicing of up to thirty-five relationships.

1. Client Management:  Strong interpersonal skills, impeccable oral and written communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to exhibit empathy and compassion are required.  Previous experience working with sophisticated high net worth individuals and their family members is preferred.
2. Business Development: Demonstrated success in business development. 
   1. Willingness and ability to effectively network with referral sources.  Annual goals will be established for new business development
   2. Willingness and ability to assist in identifying and developing new clients
   3. Established relationships in the marketplace are a plus

1. Ability to work collaboratively: 
   1. Demonstrated history of working successfully within a team structure
   2. Ability to coordinate closely with other company departments (tax, operations, investment, client administration, business development), and ability to work collaboratively and collegially with supervisor, subordinates and other professionals in the firm

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher; advanced degrees (MBA, JD) and/or certifications (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy, Certified Financial Planner) desirable. Absent a CAP or CFP, the firm will require you to earn these and will cover the registration costs.
• 12 years of administration and development experience with increasingly senior roles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Passion for philanthropy.  While direct work experience in a philanthropic organization is not required, Philanthropic Services Client Advisors must at least have a demonstrated commitment to the nonprofit sector though Board service and/or volunteering. 

COMPENSATION
A competitive base salary, performance bonus, and benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, and 401(k) with company match.

Base salary range: $160,000 - $220,000.