Head of Estate Management at Discovery Limited

Role Description

• This role will be pivotal in setting up the Estate administration division, establishing its process, system and operating model as well as managing and coordinating the relationship between Discovery, the client, and the panel administrators. The role will engage with the panel of administrators to monitor estate progress, gather status updates, and ensure timely and accurate reporting. They will provide structured feedback to heirs and relevant stakeholders through ensuring transparency and consistent communication.
• The role requires strong estate administration expertise to effectively assess, report on, and monitor the performance and efficiency of panel administrators. In addition, the individual should possess the technical capability to directly administer estates, enabling Discovery to pilot and potentially establish an internal estate administration function. The role also requires strong emotional intelligence to deal with and support grieving heirs

Key Outputs / Job Responsibilities 

• Set up estate administration team and function
• Create operating model and SOP for the team’s functions
• Specify system requirements for the estate administration system
• Engage with panel of administrators and consolidate weekly reports on the status updates of deceased estates and testamentary trusts
• Engage and regular communicate with with heirs, brokers involved in a deceased estate 
• Perform any necessary estate/trust administration task that may be required whilst the team scales.

Job / Role Requirements

Work Experience

Required

• Minimum of 5 years' experience on deceased estate and trust administration at a senior level with a trust company/law firm/fiduciary service provider, with proven track record in the administration of estates

Education / Qualifications / Accreditations with Professional Body

Education / Qualifications Required

• Admitted attorney or CFP with legal qualifications
• Legal degree combined with high level experience

Professional Registration

• Admitted attorney/Law society (Commissioner of Oaths, either an admitted attorney or CFP with legal qualifications)
• FISA or FPI

Technical Skills or Knowledge

Required

Skills

*Level: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert

• Extensive knowledge on deceased estate & trust administration, with a proven track record in the administration of estates.
• Strong client relationship management capabilities are essential, supported by a high level of emotional intelligence to effectively manage sensitive matters, complex family dynamics, and high-net-worth clients.
• Strong complaint resolution skills, the ability to manage escalations professionally, and maintain effective and consistent reporting standards.