Wealth Management Assistant Lead

The Wealth Management Assistant Lead is a player–coach role responsible for guiding, developing, and supporting Wealth Management Assistants I & II while performing administrative duties as needed. The role ensures consistent, accurate administrative processes across all TFA regions and serves as the primary escalation point for complex service and operational issues. This position works closely with Operations, Compliance, and local market leadership—maintaining a dotted‑line relationship to the Local Market Managing Director—to strengthen controls, improve workflows, and support regional needs. Through hands‑on support and clear communication, the Lead helps maintain a unified, high‑performing administrative function that delivers exceptional service to internal partners and clients.

Position Goals:

• Leadership & Talent Development: Provide strong day‑to‑day leadership and coaching to Wealth Management Assistants I & II by setting expectations, developing skills, managing performance, and fostering a high‑performing, client‑focused administrative team. 

• Operational Excellence & Consistency: Standardize administrative processes across all TFA regions to drive accuracy, efficiency, and service consistency in account onboarding, servicing, documentation, and routine workflows. 

• Risk Management & Controls Oversight: Strengthen compliance, internal controls, and quality assurance by ensuring procedures are current, adhered to, and aligned with regulatory requirements and organizational risk standards. 

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Issue Resolution: Act as the primary escalation point for complex operational and client issues while partnering with Operations, Compliance, leadership, and external vendors to optimize workflows, resolve challenges, and support business objectives. 

• Resource Management & Continuous Improvement: Manage staffing logistics, workload distribution, and systems access while leading special projects, process‑improvement initiatives, and technology enhancements to improve productivity and support future scalability.

Team Leadership and Development 

• Provide daily supervision, coaching, and performance‑management oversight for Wealth Management Assistants I & II. 

• Establish goals, deliver feedback, and support ongoing skills development to maintain a high‑performing administrative team. 

Operational Execution and Service Consistency 

• Oversee and perform core administrative functions to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across all regions. 

• Maintain high service standards in account onboarding, servicing, documentation, and client support. 

Risk Management, Compliance, and Process Governance 

• Ensure administrative procedures are current, compliant, and consistently followed. 

• Implement internal controls and quality‑assurance checks to strengthen accuracy and mitigate operational risk. 

Cross‑Functional Collaboration and Issue Resolution 

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex operational or client issues. 

• Partner with Operations, Compliance, leadership, and external vendors to enhance workflows and resolve exceptions. 

Resource Management and Continuous Improvement 

• Manage staffing logistics, workload distribution, and system/equipment needs across regions. 

• Lead process‑improvement initiatives, technology enhancements, and special projects to drive efficiency and operational excellence. 

Key Success Factors:

• Communication: Fosters effective communication by engaging stakeholders with empathy and professionalism, adapting messaging to diverse perspectives, and coaching others to enhance their communication skills. Promotes transparency and constructive dialogue, even in challenging situations, to support a collaborative work environment.
• People Leadership: Drives team performance and growth by developing succession plans, fostering accountability, and coaching individuals to build confidence and capability. Balances strategic priorities with people needs, promotes engagement, recognizes contributions, and empowers emerging leaders while effectively managing performance.
• Planning & Results Orientation: Establishes and communicates performance goals, manages resources in alignment with organizational objectives, and ensures policies support operational success. Proactively identifies and addresses challenges while monitoring progress to achieve high‑quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Applies a data‑informed, reflective approach to decision-making by leveraging diverse information sources, setting clear metrics, and anticipating outcomes and risks. Coaches and empowers others to make sound decisions using the Tompkins decision-making model, fostering a culture of thoughtful problem‑solving and accountability.
• Risk Management: Demonstrates strong risk management by identifying potential issues, developing contingency plans, and ensuring adherence to policies. Conducts post‑project reviews to capture lessons learned and applies them to future initiatives to maintain productivity and operational continuity.

• An associate’s degree in a related field is required; a Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, or a related discipline is preferred. 

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a Wealth Management Assistant and/or Trust Associate role, with demonstrated proficiency in supporting wealth, trust, and investment operations. 

• Strong aptitude for systems and software applications, with working knowledge of trust, investment, and financial‑planning concepts. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and professionally to clients and internal partners. 

• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem‑solving capabilities, with sound judgment and independent decision‑making skills. 

• Comprehensive understanding of industry products, branch procedures, and operational workflows within a financial services environment. 

• Highly detail‑oriented with superior organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven setting. 

• Exceptional interpersonal and client‑service skills, demonstrating professionalism, tact, and the ability to build strong relationships. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM/workflow software; ability to learn and navigate new systems quickly. 

• Collaborative team player with strong adaptability and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment. 

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• 11 Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking throughout Tompkins Community Bank
• Employee Referrals

Tompkins is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") with respect to all team members and applicants for employment and a work environment free from discrimination (including unlawful harassment) based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender non-conformity, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status or status in any group protected by federal, state, or local law. 

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