Trust & Estate Operations Associate at Cerity Partners in New York

Trust & Estate Operations Associate

Location: [Flexible / Hybrid / As Applicable]

Reports to: Estate Planning Group Lead

The Company

Cerity Partners is a national, integrated wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Our Family Office division offers tailored financial services, including estate planning, investment advisory, tax planning, and fiduciary support. We are currently seeking a Trust & Estate Operations Associate to support our Estate Planning Group in delivering highly personalized, client-centric solutions.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to join a fast-paced and collaborative team. As a Trust & Estate Operations Associate, you will play a critical role in managing project workflows, reviewing legal documents, and preparing client-facing materials that clearly communicate complex estate planning concepts. This role offers hands-on exposure to estate planning strategy, legal documentation, and cross-functional coordination in a high-performing, client-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Workflow Management

• Track open items across client engagements to ensure timely completion and accountability.

• Maintain task and deadline tracking using Salesforce and coordinate effectively across departments.

• Manage internal calendars, schedules, meetings, and deliverables for the Estate Planning Group.

Legal Support & Documentation

• Review, organize, and summarize estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and entity agreements.

• Create estate flowcharts and diagrams to visually communicate document structures and distribution plans.

• Assist in the drafting of legal documentation and in the formation of legal entities such as LLCs and trusts.

• Maintain a structured and easily accessible archive of legal records and files.

Client Presentation & Communication Support

• Prepare concise and visually compelling presentations and materials for client meetings.

• Draft summaries and explanations of estate structures for client-facing and internal use.

• Coordinate internal communications between legal, operations, and client advisory teams.

The Ideal Candidate

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy; highly organized with the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Proactive and eager to learn, demonstrating strong initiative and an ownership mindset.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in a professional setting.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill and communicate complex estate planning concepts.

• Highly discreet and respectful of confidentiality; team-oriented with a commitment to professional excellence.

Technical Proficiency

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint.

• Experience with Salesforce or other CRM/project management tools preferred.

• Comfort working with legal documents and structured data.

Education & Experience

• 1–3 years of experience in legal operations, project coordination, or administrative support.

• Background in legal, estate planning, or financial services strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Paralegal experience or coursework is a plus.

• Notary Public certification or willingness to obtain it is desirable.

Compensation

Base Salary Range: $60,000 – $75,000 USD
An industry-competitive compensation package will be offered, including benefits aligned with Cerity Partners’ standards for supporting career growth, work-life integration, and professional development.