Director of Tax and Estate Planning – Private Wealth Manager | West Michigan
Our client, a highly respected and rapidly growing private wealth manager in West Michigan, is seeking an accomplished Director of Tax and Estate Planning to lead all tax strategy, estate planning, and wealth-transfer initiatives for an elite portfolio of affluent and high-net-worth families. This is a rare, career-defining opportunity for a polished, experienced professional who wants to step into a visible, influential role with a clear Partnership track.
Position Overview
As the sole in-house tax expert, the Director of Tax and Estate Planning will oversee all aspects of individual, corporate, and business tax planning; estate and gift tax strategy; trust planning; wealth-transfer design; and entity structuring. This role requires a strategic thinker who can blend technical expertise with exceptional client-facing skills. The Director of Tax and Estate Planning will collaborate closely with attorneys, investment advisors, and external partners to deliver sophisticated, holistic solutions tailored to multi-generational families.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary Director of Tax and Estate Planning responsible for all individual, corporate, and business tax planning
- Lead estate, gift, trust, and wealth-transfer planning for high-net-worth families
- Conduct advanced tax modeling, scenario analysis, and long-term planning projections
- Oversee entity structuring, restructuring, and optimization for tax efficiency
- Coordinate directly with attorneys, CPAs, and external advisors to ensure seamless execution of complex strategies
- Provide guidance on trust administration, fiduciary considerations, and multi-generational planning
- Develop and implement proactive tax-saving strategies aligned with family goals and legacy objectives
- Act as the internal expert and strategic partner to leadership as the Director of Tax and Estate Planning
- Support business owners with succession planning, liquidity events, and transition strategies
- Maintain deep knowledge of evolving tax laws and regulatory changes impacting affluent families
- Represent the firm with professionalism, discretion, and the highest level of client service
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, or related field; advanced degree, CPA or JD/LLM in Tax highly preferred
- 10+ years of progressive tax and estate planning experience, ideally within a private wealth manager, family office, trust company, or public accounting environment
- Demonstrated success advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families
- Strong technical expertise in individual, corporate, estate, gift, and trust taxation
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to simplify complex concepts for clients
- Highly polished, professional presence with the maturity to serve as the firm’s Director of Tax and Estate Planning
- Ability to work independently as the sole tax authority while collaborating effectively with internal and external partners
Compensation Based on experience, package up to $300k potential.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This is not a typical tax role. The Director of Tax and Estate Planning will step into a trusted-advisor position with direct access to families, decision-makers, and firm leadership. You’ll shape long-term strategies, influence generational outcomes, and build deep relationships that go far beyond compliance work. For the right person, this role offers a clear path to Partnership, long-term stability, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives and legacies of the families served.
If you want a role where your expertise is valued, your voice matters, and your career trajectory accelerates, this Director of Tax and Estate Planning position represents a truly transformative opportunity.
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