Regulatory Change Quality Assurance Specialist

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.

Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.

With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Job Description

About the Role

Are you an experienced assurance, testing, or controls professional who enjoys improving processes, strengthening controls, and helping business partners achieve better outcomes?

Northern Trust is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to join the Regulatory Change Assurance Hub within the Global Regulatory Change Management (GRCM) Department.

Reporting to the Head of Regulatory Change Assurance (Toronto, ON), this role is responsible for performing independent quality assurance reviews of key Regulatory Change Management controls, processes, data, and technology. The successful candidate will assess whether critical regulatory change management activities are operating as intended, identify opportunities for enhancement, and provide practical recommendations that strengthen regulatory outcomes across the organization.

The role requires a balanced and pragmatic professional who can provide constructive challenge while building strong partnerships with stakeholders.

In addition to conducting quality assurance reviews, the individual will support Senior Regulatory Change Assurance Managers in the execution of reviews of new or amended regulations recently implemented by the organization and assist with audit, regulatory examination, and remediation closure activities.

Major Duties

• Conduct independent quality assurance reviews of key Regulatory Change Management controls, processes, systems, and data to assess whether regulatory changes are being identified, assessed, managed, and reported effectively.
• Perform targeted assessments of regulatory implementation activities to determine whether regulatory outcomes were achieved, and the solutions are likely to be sustainable.
• Provide practical review, challenge, and advice to GRCM Department senior management to ensure their initiatives and deliverables to ensure they meet the standard of independent testing functions.
• Evaluate the quality, completeness, accuracy, and reliability of regulatory data, management reporting, records, and supporting documentation used throughout the Regulatory Change Management process.
• Assess the adequacy of regulatory monitoring, horizon scanning, applicability assessments, Rules Inventory governance, system interfaces, and other critical GRCM activities.
• Execute assurance methodology, perform detailed analysis, and document conclusions using a consistent and evidence-based methodology.
• Identify weaknesses, process inefficiencies, data quality concerns, and governance gaps and develop practical, risk-based recommendations for improvement.
• Support the execution of Regulatory Change Assurance reviews by assisting with planning, evaluation, evidence gathering, workpaper documentation, and observation development.
• Assist with monitoring and verification of remediation activities to determine whether identified observations can be appropriately closed.
• Draft observations and recommendations, providing practical, risk-based guidance and partnering with stakeholders to develop achievable and sustainable resolution plans.
• Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, memoranda, and closure assessments suitable for senior management, Internal Audit, Compliance, and regulatory audiences.
• Support the maintenance and enhancement of assurance methodologies, testing approaches, templates, and reporting processes.
• Monitor emerging issues, risk themes, and lessons learned to help strengthen Regulatory Change Management processes and controls across the organization.
• Participate in special projects and departmental initiatives as assigned.

Skills/Experience

• Experience performing quality assurance reviews, control testing, compliance testing, internal audit reviews, risk assessments, or similar assurance activities within the financial services industry.
• Strong understanding of control frameworks, governance processes, risk management principles, and regulatory compliance programs.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating the design and effectiveness of controls, identifying gaps, and assessing the adequacy of supporting evidence.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills with the ability to review complex processes, data, and documentation and develop objective conclusions.
• Ability to identify practical and risk-based solutions that improve processes while maintaining appropriate independence.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience drafting testing results, observations, issue validation assessments, audit responses, regulatory responses, or remediation closure packages.
• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to engage professionally and constructively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience managing multiple assignments simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, challenge respectfully, and work collaboratively across functions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and experience working with workflow, governance, risk, compliance, or regulatory technology platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Internal Audit, Compliance Testing, Quality Assurance, Operational Risk, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Change Management, or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of regulatory change management processes, regulatory inventories, regulatory obligations management, governance frameworks, or controls programs.
• Experience supporting audit issue validation, regulatory remediation programs, or closure assessments.
• Experience translating or analyzing regulatory requirements.
• Professional certifications such as CIA, CISA, CPA, ACA, ACCA, CRCM, or equivalent are preferred but not required.

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [email protected], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

About Our Manila Office

The Northern Trust Manila office celebrated a decade of excellence in 2024. Through agility, resiliency, innovation, and excellence, they have evolved into a dynamic hub with diverse capabilities and a thriving workforce of over 1,200 - driving meaningful impact and sustainable growth. Learn more.