Chief Trust Officer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee all daily fiduciary operations of zntb, encompassing custody functions, settlement processes, reconciliation, reserve management, and account administration.

• Create, implement, and sustain operational playbooks, standard operating procedures, and business continuity strategies that align with OCC safety and soundness standards.

• Develop and manage the bank’s operational framework from the pre-opening phase to steady-state operations, collaborating with engineering, product, finance, and legal teams.

• Ensure operational preparedness for new product launches, asset types, partner integrations, and modifications to the bank’s operational scope.

• Set and evaluate SLAs, exception-handling procedures, and operational uptime standards across all functionalities of the bank.

• Act as the senior Fiduciary Officer of zntb, guiding the trust and fiduciary team in managing all fiduciary and custodial accounts.

• Supervise fiduciary recordkeeping tasks, including account setup, asset segregation, ledger accuracy, periodic reviews, and the documentation mandated by 12 CFR §9.6.

• Ensure compliance of trust operations with OCC fiduciary standards, including annual review obligations, internal fiduciary audit processes, and relevant state trust laws.

• Maintain robust safeguards and controls over fiduciary assets, including collateral obligations for uninsured fiduciary funds in accordance with 12 CFR Part 9.

• Enforce policies and procedures regarding self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and the co-mingling of fiduciary and non-fiduciary assets.

• Collaborate closely with the Chief Operating Officer to establish and monitor controls, and enhance reporting and visibility of fiduciary responsibilities.

• Serve as the primary executive accountable for reporting fiduciary activities, controls, and institutional KPIs to the zntb Board of Directors.

• Prepare and deliver regular reports to the Board and committees covering fiduciary account activities, reconciliation accuracy, vendor performance, operational incidents, and risk metrics.

• Assist the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary governance responsibilities under 12 CFR §9.7, including participation in the bank’s audit and risk committees.

• Maintain the governance calendar and ensure timely preparation of all necessary Board documents, reports, and approvals.

• Keep audit-ready documentation, operational logs, and evidence repositories in preparation for OCC examinations, fiduciary audits, and supervisory reviews.

• Develop and uphold OCC-aligned internal control systems across operations, custody, reconciliation, and settlement workflows.

• Support pre-opening examination requirements and deliverables needed to secure final OCC charter approval.

• Partner with the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, CRO, and Legal team on operational risk assessments, issue remediation, and supervisory responses.

• Track and implement evolving regulatory requirements, including GENIUS Act stipulations concerning issuance, reserve management, and redemption operations as applicable.

• Manage relationships with banking partners, sub-custodians, reserve custodians, technology vendors, and other essential service providers related to fiduciary and trust activities.

• Ensure that intercompany and third-party relationships meet OCC third-party risk management standards, including due diligence, SLA monitoring, and ongoing oversight.

• Maintain relevant vendor performance dashboards, due diligence documentation, and records necessary for OCC third-party risk assessments.

• For fiduciary and trust operations, oversee the bank’s operational continuity, incident response, and crisis management initiatives.

• Lead the triage and resolution of any fiduciary and trust incidents across custody, settlement, reconciliation, and technology functions.

• Conduct post-incident evaluations and ensure prompt remediation of control deficiencies and operational failures.

• Promote a culture of operational excellence, fiduciary accountability, and regulatory integrity throughout the organization.

• Be a vital member of the zntb executive leadership team, contributing to strategic initiatives, cultural development, and organizational growth.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in banking operations, trust operations, custody operations, or payments within a federally regulated financial institution.

• Direct experience at a national bank, federally chartered trust company, or an equivalent regulated depository institution under OCC supervision.

• Extensive knowledge of 12 CFR Part 9 (Fiduciary Activities of National Banks), OCC safety and soundness requirements, and fiduciary examination standards.

• Proven experience in managing trust or custodial account administration, including account setup, asset segregation, periodic review, and fiduciary recordkeeping.

• A successful track record of establishing or managing high-volume, control-focused operational environments in a regulated banking context.

• Experience reporting to or collaborating directly with a bank Board of Directors, including the preparation of board materials, operational KPIs, and governance reports.

• Strong comprehension of bank operational controls, internal audits, and OCC examination protocols.

• Experience overseeing third-party and vendor relationships in alignment with OCC third-party risk management standards.

• Demonstrated capability to build, lead, and cultivate high-performing teams within a regulated banking environment.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to boards, regulators, and senior institutional stakeholders.

• Willingness and ability to travel for regulatory meetings, partner engagements, and bank-related business as necessary.

🏝️ Benefits

• Healthcare Insurance: zerohash covers approximately 100% of employee premiums and a portion for spouse/children (U.S. only).

• Vision & Dental Insurance (U.S. only).

• Opportunity to earn equity.

• Maternity & Paternity leave (after 6 months).

• WeWork All Access Membership.

• WFH Yearly Stipend.

• L&D Yearly Stipend (after 6 months).