Officer: Trust Services

About the Role

Join a prominent African bank with over a century of heritage and a strong mix of local and international expertise. This role entails administering Legal Claims Trusts (Medical Negligence and RAF) per their specific mandates. You will be responsible for acquiring, investing, and managing trust assets to maximize benefits for beneficiaries within legal and trust document frameworks.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage trust administration strictly following trust deeds, laws, and internal policies.
• Safeguard trust assets, ensuring proper transfer, protection, and insurance coverage.
• Handle property-related duties such as insurance, municipal rates, taxes, and tenant agreements.
• Process beneficiary requests including payments, allowances, and ad hoc disbursements.
• Coordinate the closing of trusts and distribute proceeds to beneficiaries.
• Keep meticulous records, correspondence, and trust files up to date.
• Maintain strong client relationships by acting as the key contact for beneficiaries, trustees, and involved parties; respond promptly to enquiries through multiple channels.
• Provide consistent updates on trust investments, payments, and administrative matters to clients, ensuring high service standards.
• Prepare and review investment proposals aligning with approved models and compliance standards; engage investment committees for approvals and monitor execution.
• Oversee trust risk management activities, including reconciliation of accounts, monitoring overdrafts, and identifying discrepancies with corrective measures.
• Ensure compliance with fiduciary laws, anti-money laundering policies, internal governance, and maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Validate and review trust financial statements and beneficiary tax documents; guarantee timely distribution and accurate record keeping.
• Administer tax-related responsibilities such as SARS registrations, submitting annual and provisional tax returns via eFiling, reviewing assessments, and arranging tax payments.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Law (NQF Level 6), or
• Estate and Trust Diploma, Certificate in Deceased Estates Administration, or Advanced Estate and Trust Diploma.
• At least 2 years working experience in fiduciary services as a Trust Officer or Estate Administrator is required.
• Preference for candidates with 3 years of practical experience in trust or fiduciary administration.

Skills and Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of trust laws, fiduciary principles, and related legislation.
• Understanding of trust-related taxation and SARS compliance processes.
• Proficiency in managing investments and portfolio assessments within trusts.
• Strong client relationship management and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Skilled in computer use and trust administration software.
• Self-reliant with sound judgment and decision-making abilities.
• Competencies include client focus, planning and organization, attention to detail, accountability, governance compliance, relationship building, and handling pressure and deadlines effectively.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The employer is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity, encouraging candidates from designated groups to apply to contribute towards workforce diversity and equitable representation.