Head of Client Oversight and Governance

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.

Position Summary:

The Head of Client Service Oversight & Governance for Northern Trust Asset Management, Global Institutional Client Group will lead the effort, as part of a recently created team, to actively manage and monitor client related risks ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies and client agreements. This individual will lead the evolution of a team to ensure consistent review, oversight and governance of client related onboarding and ongoing servicing activities while providing ongoing training to the broader client facing team. This individual will display a balanced, cross-functional perspective, liaising with clients, client facing partners, and the broader servicing teams to ensure a reduction of risk to the clients and business while positively impacting the value-added client experience. This will include first line responsibilities arising from the implementation of NT RCE program

The successful candidate will be a collaborative partner with the ability to manage multiple projects with high visibility. This individual will have exceptional communication and problem-solving skills working in an entrepreneurial environment to build the function and team. The role requires a high degree of asset and investment management acumen, control function experience, as well as a sense of urgency and partnership to do what is best for the client while protecting the business.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Buildout a robust client oversight and governance function that includes, but not limited to the following oversight responsibilities:
  • Oversee the coordination of the life cycle of on-boarding and off-boarding accounts: 1) operational set-up across various teams, 2) gathering legal and account setup documentation (as well as client updates), 3) document KYC requirements and compliance, 4) manage vendor and third-party relationships, and 5) establish an internal dashboard for periodic metric reporting relating to client accounts
• Operationalize Client Service:
  • Document new workflows across cross-functional teams to streamline account on-boarding and enhance existing processes
  • Leverage systems and tools to automate and streamline processes (where applicable)
  • Evolve operating model as appropriate as client needs evolve
  • Develop new tools where required for tracking client events, inquiries and servicing issues. Document, manage and escalate issues in a timely manner.
• Governance:
  • Partner across the organization to align First Line of Defense (1LOD) with broader oversight and compliance functions pursuant to achieving a One Northern goal.
  • Review and approve client onboardings, including review and approval for KYC responsibilities in scope
  • Act as a Program Manager for across client oversight and governance activities building out additional policies as needed and training client facing partners on them
  • Ensure business adherence to relevant regulatory requirements, internal policies, standards and procedures
• Data Management:
  • Align client oversight function with other parts of the business to ensure appropriate capturing and monitoring of client related data. Work cross-functionally to establish a single-source client database. Oversee the documentation and buildout of a client account database containing account information and establish a single source repository for documentation across databases / systems. Monitor for changes in circumstances post on-boarding.
• Leadership:
  • Manage a team of client oversight and governance managers including RCE
  • Act as a liaison across various teams and lead or advise relationship management teams as appropriate on client life cycles, ongoing servicing and complex client matters
  • Liaise with internal and external auditors, oversee client related business continuity plans, and resiliency development
  • Additional ad hoc assignments and projects (as needed)

Knowledge & Skills:

• Expertise in compliance regulations related to asset management

• Proven experience in building and overseeing asset management control functions

• Extensive understanding of client/vehicle/investment nuances in onboarding and ongoing servicing

• Strong consultative skills ranging from client communication, analytics, influencing, facilitation and consensus building

• Excellent project management skills to organize teams to complete functions in a timely, efficient manner

• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with demonstrated ability to develop materials and effectively present to and persuade executive audiences

• Ability to navigate the organization and influence internal partnerships to ensure excellence in servicing clients

• Knowledge of Northern Trust global business structure and various business segments.

• High degree of comfort dealing with ambiguity; comfort in a dynamic and fast paced work environment

Experience & Education:

• 10 years+ of relevant experience; Asset Management industry experience and product knowledge required.  Financial Services experience required.   

• Bachelor’s degree; Master in Business Administration and/or CFA strongly preferred. 

Salary Range:

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

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.