Sr Communications Specialist

About Northern Trust:

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.  

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Role/Department: Senior Communications Specialist, Tech Communications/Public Relations

The Senior Communications Specialist will drive internal communications for our global Technology organization as part of a follow-the-sun team. Reporting to the IT Communications Lead, this role ensures employees worldwide are informed and engaged about key tech initiatives. The Specialist will plan, create, and deliver content across multiple channels (email, intranet, video, live events), translating complex IT topics into clear, engaging messages. We seek a digital-first, tech-savvy communicator (7 years’ experience) who is forward-thinking and comfortable leveraging modern tools (MS Office 365, SharePoint, video platforms, potentially AI-driven tools) to keep our communications cutting-edge.

The key responsibilities of the role include:
•    Strategic Planning: Develop and execute communication plans for tech projects, product launches, system updates, and process changes, aligning with business goals.
•    Content Creation: Write and edit high-quality content (announcements, newsletters, intranet posts, FAQs, video scripts) that simplifies technical information and highlights user benefits.
•    Multi-Channel Delivery: Disseminate messages through email, intranet (SharePoint), internal social channels, and virtual events/webinars, ensuring consistency and tailoring content to each channel.
•    Stakeholder Partnership: Work closely with IT leaders to craft key messages and provide counsel on the best communication strategies and platforms for reaching employees.
•    Event Communications: Manage communications for IT town halls, training sessions, and webinars – from developing talking points and slides to coordinating Q&As and follow-up summaries.
•    Platform Management: Oversee internal comms platforms (e.g., intranet site sections, email distribution tools, Teams/ON24 for webcasts) and keep content organized, up-to-date, and easily accessible.
•    Crisis Communication: Support timely internal comms during IT incidents or outages, providing clear updates and instructions to employees in coordination with incident management teams.
•    Measurement & Improvement: Track engagement metrics (email opens, intranet views, feedback) and gather employee input to assess impact. Use data insights to refine content and approach for continuous improvement.

Skills/ Qualifications:
•    Industry Experience: 7 years in corporate or internal communications within the tech industry or IT communications.
•    Technical Acumen: Comfortable working with IT subject matter (software, infrastructure, cybersecurity, etc.), ensuring credibility when engaging with technical teams and communicating tech topics.
•    Exceptional Communication: Excellent writer and editor with an eye for detail; able to convey technical concepts in simple, engaging language. Strong verbal communication for presentations and consultations with leaders.
•    Digital Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Teams) and SharePoint for content publishing. Familiarity with email marketing tools and virtual event platforms; comfortable adopting new digital tools (and basic understanding of AI tools in communications).
•    Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Ability to align messages with broader objectives and anticipate audience needs. Data-driven mindset to analyze communication effectiveness and inform strategy adjustments.
•    Project Management: Highly organized, able to juggle multiple projects and deadlines. Self-motivated and proactive in driving projects from concept to completion, with strong attention to detail.
•    Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills; able to work across departments and regions. Experience in a global or matrix team environment, sensitive to cultural and time-zone differences.
•    Innovation & Adaptability: Creative, forward-thinking approach to communication – always looking for new, better ways to engage employees. Adaptable to changing priorities and quick to learn emerging communication trends and technologies.
•    Positive Attitude: A can-do, problem-solving mindset. Thrives under pressure and remains composed during fast-paced or crisis situations, maintaining professionalism and clarity in all communications.
•    Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field 
•    Global Exposure: Experience supporting communications in a global setting or working with international teams is a plus, as this role requires coordinating efforts across regions.

Working Model: Hybrid (#LI-Hybrid)
We have a balanced hybrid working model to ensure you get the flexibility you need, and the successful candidate will spend their time between working in the office and working from home.

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.

Working with Us: 

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.

Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.

We’d love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world’s most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater 

Reasonable accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [email protected].

 
We hope you’re excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.

Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater.