Associate Director

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an Associate Director to join a highly respected fiduciary services provider in Auckland. This role offers you the chance to take ownership of a diverse book of business, working with complex wealth structures and foreign trusts while collaborating with clients from around the globe. You will be empowered to shape client solutions, ensure regulatory compliance, and play a pivotal part in the ongoing development of the firm’s service offering.

Key Responsibilities:

As an Associate Director – Wealth Structures and Trust Administration based in Auckland, you will play a central role in managing a sophisticated portfolio of international clients. Your day-to-day activities will involve;

• Manage your own portfolio of client relationships, ensuring the administration of complex wealth structures including foreign trusts is handled with care and precision.
• Oversee compliance with all relevant regulatory, tax, and legal obligations, maintaining up-to-date documentation and records for each client structure.
• Draft resolutions, agreements, deeds, payment instructions, share transfer forms, and other essential documents required for effective trust administration.
• Participate in video conferences with clients worldwide, providing expert advice and building strong interpersonal connections across cultures.
• Prepare bank account opening forms and other banking documentation; administer both structure bank accounts and non-bankable assets as needed.
• Ensure all necessary documentation for client structures is collected, filed accurately, and maintained in accordance with best practice standards.
• Perform company secretarial functions for companies and limited partnerships within client portfolios, liaising with other offices as required to support cross-border structures.
• On-board new clients by establishing trusts and tailored solutions; act as an authorised signatory where appropriate to facilitate smooth transactions.
• Support business development by reviewing existing files for new opportunities and leveraging your network to generate introductions from third parties locally and internationally.
• Coach junior staff members by providing guidance on client administration tasks; review local policies annually to ensure they remain current and compliant.

Key Requirements:

To excel as an Associate Director – Wealth Structures and Trust Administration you will bring significant experience from fiduciary services or related legal sectors—ideally with a focus on trust administration. Your background should include;

• At least five years’ experience working within fiduciary services or a similar legal business environment focused on trust administration is essential for this position.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and coach a small team effectively while fostering a supportive atmosphere built on mutual respect.
• Exceptional communication skills paired with multicultural sensitivity enable you to build influential relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• A proven track record of developing strong connections with key business contacts both locally in New Zealand and internationally is highly desirable.
• A strong commitment to delivering exceptional client service underpins your approach to every aspect of your work.
• Experience acting as an authorised signatory or holding corporate office responsibilities would be advantageous but not mandatory.
• Comprehensive understanding of New Zealand regulatory law relating to trusts—including CRS/FATCA compliance—is important for success in this role.
• Proficiency in drafting legal documents such as resolutions, agreements, deeds, payment instructions, share transfer forms is required.
• Ability to identify business development opportunities within existing client relationships demonstrates your commercial awareness.
• Comfort working within a family-owned entrepreneurial business environment where flexibility and adaptability are valued.

How to apply? If this sounds like it might be the right opportunity for you, please don't hesitate to get in touch via the information below, or apply directly (no cover-letter required)

Associate Consultant - Georgia Waters - georgia.waters@robertwalters.co.nz

Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence in this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Georgie Waters on +6493747364.