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Rice University

Trust Manager

Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246


Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants please attach a cover letter and resume in PDF format.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Trust Manager runs the charitable remainder trusts, estates, and other accounts of Rice Trust Inc. (RTI), Rice University's wholly owned trust company, and other deferred gift accounts of the University, including the charitable gift annuity pool. The role monitors the services performed by the outside investment manager and administrator. RTI is a registered Texas Trust Company under the supervision and review of the Texas Department of Banking.

As of spring 2024, there are 53 charitable remainder trusts and 137 charitable gift annuity contracts.

The Trust Manager role also manages a Pre-1969 Trust with 20 beneficiaries including Rice University, an estimated life of 37 years, and its own board of trustees.

The ideal candidate will be a personal trust officer who is an effective communicator, detail-focused, and able to think proactively and creatively to help Rice University's mission by facilitating charitable giving.

Minimum Requirements:Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience as a trust officer and/or a trust and estate attorneySkills:

Ability to take a proactive approach to working in a high-performing and collaborative environment as an active member of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) and the Gift Planning teamAbility to ensure a donor-centered approachStrong oral and written communication skillsStrong quantitative skills and data fluencyAptitude to learn new software systemsProficiency with Microsoft Office suiteStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsExcellent relationship skills and emotional intelligenceMaturity in judgment and ability to maintain confidentialityVery strong attention to detailVery strong organizational and time management skillsAbility to work to meet deadlines, take initiative and be adaptableCreativity, enthusiasm and confidence to complete projectsJuris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law schoolPreferences:

5+ years of relevant experience as a trust officer and/or a trust and estate attorneyCPA, CFP, or CFTA certificationEssential Functions:

Oversee activities of the external administrator and investment manager, currently TIAA Kaspick (Kaspick), for the trusts and Rice's charitable gift annuity programPartner with and provide non-legal guidance to Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) personnel, donors, and beneficiaries regarding trust, gift annuity, and estate matters relating to the structuring of potential gifts or administration of existing giftsProvide non-legal advice and guidance to the RTI Board of Directors and the Pre-1969 Trust Properties TrusteesPrepare agenda materials and other analysis for quarterly RTI Board of Directors meetings and the Pre-1969 Trust Trustee meetingsAct as liaison between RTI and the Texas Department of BankingCollaborate with the Gift Planning, Treasury and Finance, and Investment Accounting departments to ensure realized charitable deferred gifts are allocated in accordance with applicable governing documentsWork with in-house and outside legal counsel to draft trust agreements and resolve complex trust and estate mattersCoordinate with in-house and outside legal counsel, the accounting team, and consultants to complete reports, analyses, and duties for estates and other accounts under administrationCreate or improve processes for evaluating and accepting complex gifts, outright or in trustReview and approve annual trust and fiduciary income tax returns, and prepare work papers for RTI's annual tax filingReview annual, quarterly, and ad hoc state filings in connection with Rice's charitable gift annuity programPrepare monthly journal entries related to RTI corporate activity for the University accounting system and Texas Department of Banking quarterly reportsPrepare quarterly and annual reconciliations of trust system accounts and custodian accountsPrepare annual work papers for internal and external audit examinations and Texas Department of Banking examinationsPerform all other duties as assignedAdditional Functions:

Monitor externally managed trusts that will benefit Rice upon terminationReview charitable gift annuity agreements and related documentation before sent to donorsReview and assist in the preparation of inherited IRA applications and anti-money laundering/Know Your Customer compliance requestsServe on university committees as assigned, e.g., gift acceptance committeePrepare special analyses or ad-hoc reports as requestedIn coordination with in-house and outside counsel, draft and negotiate endowed fund agreements and other gift agreementsIn coordination with in-house and outside counsel, review and negotiate as necessary receipt, release, and refunding agreements and other estate-related documentationMaintain current knowledge of legal and tax regulations impacting charitable giving and assist in training and informing DAR staffMonitor state gift annuity regulations and advise Gift Planning staff accordingly

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.