Director of Estate Planning at Brighton Jones

Director of Estate Planning

The Client
Our client, a nationally recognized wealth management and advisory firm, is dedicated to helping high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families align their wealth with their values and long-term goals. With over $30 billion in assets under advisement and a growing presence across the United States, the firm has built a reputation for excellence through its purpose-driven culture, collaborative team environment, and commitment to delivering holistic financial and estate planning solutions that empower clients to live more meaningful lives.

The Opportunity
The Director of Estate Planning will lead the firm’s estate planning function, overseeing the development and implementation of innovative wealth transfer, philanthropic, and legacy strategies for sophisticated families. This senior role requires both deep technical expertise and exceptional communication skills, serving as a trusted advisor to clients and a strategic partner to internal teams. The Director will also mentor advisors and contribute to the firm’s thought leadership and business development efforts, ensuring that estate planning is seamlessly integrated into each client’s broader financial strategy.

Location
Full-time, in-office position (with flexibility) – United States

Reports to
Senior Leadership / Director of Financial Planning

The Position

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the estate planning function, designing and implementing comprehensive strategies for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families.
• Provide expert counsel on complex estate planning topics, including tax-efficient wealth transfer, charitable giving, trust structures, asset protection, and business succession planning.
• Prepare estate plan summaries, structure charts, and flow diagrams that clearly communicate multi-entity or multi-generational planning concepts.
• Educate clients on techniques to preserve wealth across generations in ways that align with their family values and minimize tax exposure.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Financial Planning, Director of Tax, and the firm’s in-house legal team to address specific family office client needs.
• Work with internal and external partners to manage and maintain corporate trustee relationships and help clients identify appropriate fiduciary solutions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and educator, effectively communicating complex estate and tax planning concepts in a clear, actionable, and client-friendly manner through to implementation.
• Stay abreast of changes in estate and gift tax laws, regulations, and industry trends to proactively identify new planning opportunities and risks.
• Develop, document, and refine estate planning processes, tools, and resources to enhance efficiency, consistency, and scalability across the firm.
• Mentor and train team members on estate planning strategies and best practices, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Provide creative and timely guidance to clients, ensuring their estate plans reflect their personal, financial, and philanthropic objectives.
• Support business development initiatives, including participation in prospect meetings and creation of educational or marketing content tailored to sophisticated audiences.
• Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to strengthen relationships and position the firm as a leader in estate planning expertise.

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications:

• J.D., LL.M. in Taxation, CFP®, or equivalent advanced credential preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in estate planning, wealth management, or related disciplines.
• Comprehensive knowledge of estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax laws and regulations.
• Proven success advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families on complex planning strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys, accountants, trust officers, and financial planners.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with a client-first mindset and consultative approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex ideas into clear, practical insights.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving, analytical, and leadership capabilities.
• Commitment to helping clients align their wealth with their purpose and legacy goals.

Compensation:
$250,000 – $350,000 annual base salary (commensurate with experience).

Benefits:
Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans; paid time off; flexible holidays; summer hours; company-paid parental leave; transportation benefits; unlimited volunteer time off; professional development and wellbeing stipend; and other fringe benefits. All team members are offered a clear path to ownership within the organization.