Trusts and Tax Manager - Law Firm

Senior Trust & Tax Manager

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Senior Trust & Tax Manager. Location is flexible for the right candidate, and we are happy to explore agile working options. The position will involve travel to other offices as required by the needs of the business.

The successful individual will collaborate closely with partners, associates and colleagues within our expanding Trust team. The team undertakes a broad spectrum of trust-related matters, including charitable trusts, and forms part of the Firm’s highly regarded Private Client practice.

This opportunity is ideal for someone with strong interpersonal skills who is keen to progress their career within a supportive and collaborative environment recognised for its technical excellence in this field.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee a complex and diverse portfolio of UK trusts and trust structures on behalf of a high-quality client base.
• Lead, support and appraise a team of Trust professionals, ensuring exposure to varied work and fostering their professional development in trust management.
• Provide and implement detailed trust and estate planning advice, primarily for UK clients, addressing relevant tax and trust law considerations across managed structures.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as the principal contact for trustees, beneficiaries and professional intermediaries.
• Manage portfolio finances, including billing responsibilities.
• Supervise timely compliance reporting for CRS, FATCA, ATED and the Trust Registration Service.
• Manage relationships between grant-making bodies and applicant charities, liaising with potential beneficiaries and drafting deeds and supporting policies.
• Oversee and assist with the preparation of annual trust accounts and tax returns, together with personal tax compliance for UK and non-UK domiciliaries. Provide guidance on applicable exemptions and reliefs and calculate associated liabilities.
• Calculate inheritance tax exposures for complex trust arrangements and supervise the preparation of relevant returns, liaising with HM Revenue & Customs where necessary.
• Review investment performance through analysis of reports, initiate investment reviews and prepare or update trustees’ investment policy statements to ensure continued suitability and adherence.
• Analyse and interpret trust deeds and related documents, working with colleagues where appropriate. Draft legal documentation including trustee resolutions and deeds of appointment.
• Participate actively in client meetings and independently liaise with trustees, beneficiaries, banks, investment managers and other professional advisers such as valuers and accountants.
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority Standards, Regulations and Principles.