Director, Tax & Estate Planning

Lazard

. Serve as the platform’s senior technical resource on trust, estate and tax matters at federal and state levels .

Posted 11/9/2026full-timeNew York City • New York • United StatesLead💰 $225,000 - $250,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in estate and income tax planning for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, with a strong focus on federal transfer tax, fiduciary income taxation, and trust planning. Proven ability to lead multi-generational discussions and collaborate effectively with legal and financial professionals.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Estate And Income Tax PlanningFederal Transfer TaxTrust PlanningJD With LLM In TaxationProject Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Wealth Transfer StrategiesEstate Planning Document ReviewMulti-State Residency AnalysisDynasty TrustsBusiness Succession PlanningCharitable VehiclesLiquidity Event StructuringTax ComplianceFiduciary StandardsTechnical Concept Communication

Soft Skills

Exceptional JudgmentDiscretionIntegrityCollaborationClient Acquisition

Certifications & Qualifications

JDLLM In TaxationCPA LicenseCFPTEPCTFA

Industry Keywords

Ultra-High-Net-WorthFamily GovernanceCross-Border ConsiderationsPrivate Client Law PracticeMulti-Family OfficeWealth ManagementRegulatory ComplianceFiduciary EnvironmentInvestment PlanningFamily Office Services

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the platform’s senior technical resource on trust, estate and tax matters at federal and state levels
Review and summarize estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, family partnerships, LLCs and charitable vehicles
Produce structure diagrams, gap analyses and prioritized recommendations
Develop and model wealth transfer strategies across gifting, sale, loan, charitable and insurance-funded structures
Advise clients through liquidity events and concentrated-position transitions, including business sale structuring, QSBS, Section 83(b) elections, deferred and incentive compensation, and pre-transaction gifting windows
Coordinate implementation with attorneys, accountants, insurance brokers and corporate trustees
Drive planning recommendations from concept through execution and document follow-through
Lead multi-generational education and family governance discussions
Monitor legislative, regulatory and case law developments affecting UHNW families
Translate developments into client-ready guidance and internal briefings
Contribute diagnostics in prospect meetings, train client-facing colleagues and author thought leadership for clients and referral sources
Work within the POD service model alongside client advisors, investment professionals and Family Office Services teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

Ten or more years of experience advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families and family offices on estate and income tax planning
Experience gained within a private client law practice, national or Big Four private client tax practice, trust company, multi-family office or comparable wealth management platform
JD with an LLM in taxation and/or an active CPA license
CFP, TEP or CTFA designations viewed favorably
Technical depth in federal transfer tax, fiduciary income taxation, grantor and non-grantor trust planning, and multi-state residency and trust situs analysis
Experience with dynasty and perpetual trusts, GRATs, SLATs, CLATs, CRTs, private foundations, donor-advised funds, family limited partnerships and closely held business succession planning
Cross-border and non-US-domiciliary considerations preferred
Experience working collaboratively with clients’ external counsel and accountants
Project management discipline for multi-party planning initiatives
Ability to explain sophisticated technical concepts clearly in writing and in person
Experience contributing to client acquisition and retention in a fiduciary, advice-led environment
Comfort working across investment, planning and operational disciplines
Exceptional judgment, discretion and integrity handling confidential family, financial and business information
Commitment to fiduciary standards and regulatory compliance

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive, competitive benefits
Individualized employee experience supporting balance across career, family, and community
Investment in career development
Incentive compensation may be included