AI Program Manager (Product Development)

Northern Trust Corp; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust seeks a Program Manager to lead an integrated delivery of a major AI/automation programme. You will establish the programme structure, governance, and an integrated plan across business, product, technology, operations and risk.

The role emphasizes senior‑level stakeholder management, cost and risk oversight, benefits tracking and governance, with autonomy within strategic objectives. Experience with complex cross‑functional initiatives and hybrid delivery methods is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross‑functional programmes.
• Experience in governance, planning and dependency management.
• Ability to translate strategy into executable roadmaps and plans.

Responsibilities

• Establish programme structure, governance model and delivery cadence.
• Translate objectives into an integrated roadmap and plan.
• Coordinate stakeholders across business, product, technology and risk.
• Manage programme scope, milestones, dependencies, resources and costs.
• Lead risk, issues and decisions; prepare executive updates and papers.
• Ensure integration of requirements, testing and operational readiness.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Integrated planning

Risk management

Executive reporting

Hybrid/agile delivery

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

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.

The Program Manager is responsible for leading the integrated delivery of complex programmes comprising multiple projects, workstreams and stakeholder groups. The initial assignment will support a major strategic programme involving artificial intelligence, automation and emerging technologies. The role will establish the programme structure, roadmap, integrated plan and governance arrangements and provide clear oversight of outcomes, dependencies, risks, resources, costs and decisions. This is a generalist Program Manager position. The successful candidate may subsequently lead other strategic, regulatory, product, data, digital and operational‑change programmes as business priorities evolve.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish the programme structure, governance model and delivery cadence.
• Translate strategic objectives into an integrated programme roadmap and plan.
• Define: programme outcomes and scope; projects and workstreams; milestones and delivery gates; roles and accountabilities; governance and decision forums; escalation routes.
• Coordinate business, product, technology, operations, risk and other stakeholders.
• Manage programme‑level: scope and milestones; dependencies and critical paths; resources and capacity; costs and forecasts; risks, assumptions, issues and decisions; actions and governance requirements.
• Coordinate opportunity assessment, prioritisation and mobilisation.
• Integrate requirements, solution delivery, controls, testing and operational readiness into the programme plan.
• Coordinate pilot design, implementation, adoption and value‑measurement activities.
• Monitor progress against agreed outcomes, milestones and delivery gates.
• Identify and resolve cross‑project conflicts, dependencies and delivery constraints.
• Escalate material risks, resource gaps and unresolved decisions.
• Prepare executive updates, governance materials and decision papers.
• Facilitate programme, steering and decision‑making forums.
• Manage scope changes and assess their impact on outcomes, schedule, cost, resources and risk.
• Maintain clear records of programme decisions, approvals, actions and delivery evidence.
• Coordinate implementation, hand‑offs and transition into sustainable ownership.
• Support benefit tracking, post‑implementation reviews and lessons learned.
• Use approved digital and AI‑enabled tools to improve programme planning, analysis and reporting while retaining appropriate human accountability.

Scope and Accountability

• Leads a complex programme comprising multiple projects or interconnected workstreams.
• Defines and maintains the programme‑management approach, integrated plan and governance structure.
• Operates with a high degree of autonomy within agreed strategic objectives.
• Coordinates stakeholders across business, product, technology, operations and control functions.
• Accountable for consolidated programme visibility, including outcomes, progress, dependencies, risks, resources and decisions.
• Develops options and recommendations where material delivery trade‑offs exist.
• Ensures programme‑level risks, dependencies and decisions are identified, owned and escalated appropriately.
• Coordinates project and workstream leads without necessarily holding formal line‑management responsibility.
• Supports sponsors and governance forums in making timely, evidence‑based decisions.
• Does not ordinarily own the underlying business, product or technology functions.
• Has no formal people‑management responsibility unless separately assigned.

Skills and Experience

• Strong programme‑management experience across complex, cross‑functional initiatives.
• Experience leading programmes comprising multiple projects, workstreams or delivery teams.
• Strong integrated‑planning, governance and dependency‑management capability.
• Experience managing programme risks, resources, costs, forecasts and executive reporting.
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into executable roadmaps and delivery plans.
• Ability to identify critical dependencies, constraints and cross‑project impacts.
• Strong senior‑stakeholder management, facilitation and influencing skills.
• Ability to develop and present evidence‑based options and recommendations.
• Experience supporting governance forums and executive decision‑making.
• Working understanding of requirements, testing, controls, implementation and operational readiness.
• Knowledge of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery methods.
• Experience in financial services or another regulated industry is desirable.
• Exposure to artificial intelligence, automation, data, digital or emerging‑technology programmes is desirable.
• Specialist technical AI expertise is not required.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Programme or project‑management qualification, such as PMP, MSP, PRINCE2 or an Agile delivery certification, is advantageous.
• Experience using programme‑planning, reporting and delivery‑management tools is advantageous.
• Preferred qualification - Demonstrated experience establishing and scaling enterprise AI programmes, including governance, operating model development, business activation, platform adoption, risk management, and measurable value realization across multiple business units.

Salary & Benefits

Salary Range: $114,700 - 194,900 USD 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 [e-mail], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

Looking for greater? You found it. A global financial leader with more than 22,000 employees in 23 locations worldwide, Northern Trust empowers our employees to achieve more than just business goals. Our focus on work‑life balance, career mobility and unique opportunities are just a few of the reasons we’ve been named one of the world’s most admired companies.

APAC/INDIA EEO STATEMENT It is the policy and practice of Northern Trust to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Northern Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age. All employment decisions will be made in a non‑discriminatory manner in accordance with our obligations under the law and codes of practice. This includes human resources’ decisions relating to recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, transfers, promotions and access to learning and development.

Canada EEO STATEMENT Northern Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring and other employment decisions at Northern Trust are made without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, ethnic origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital status, family status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

EMEA EEO STATEMENT It is the policy and practice of Northern Trust to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Northern Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age. All employment decisions will be made in a non‑discriminatory manner in accordance with our obligations under the law and codes of practice. This includes human resources’ decisions relating to recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, transfers, promotions and access to learning and development.

USA EEO STATEMENT It is the policy of The Northern Trust Company to afford equal opportunity in all phases of employment without regard to an individual's age, race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic tests and information, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status. EEO Know Your Rights (U.S.)