Audit Lead, Operational Risk & Control Transformation

Northern Trust; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 114,700 - 194,900; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust in the United States is seeking a senior risk and audit professional to lead audit validation work focused on operational risk and control transformation. You will partner with audit teams, business leaders, and senior stakeholders to interpret regulatory expectations and translate risk themes into practical audit insights.

The role demands 10+ years of risk management experience, strong communication, and a track record delivering high-quality audit coverage in a regulated

Qualifications

• 10+ years of extensive operational risk management experience, including knowledge of risk and control self-assessment and third-party risk practices.
• Proven experience applying audit, risk, or control principles within financial services or a similarly regulated environment.
• In-depth understanding of relevant regulatory expectations and how they inform audit coverage and control evaluation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and develop practical recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present risk and control insights clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Relevant professional certification or advanced qualification, such as accounting, audit, information systems, risk, or business administration credentials.

Responsibilities

• Lead audit validation work focused on operational risk and control transformation.
• Partner with audit teams to plan, challenge, and deliver high-quality audit coverage.
• Interpret regulatory expectations, risk themes, and industry practices to guide control assessment.
• Analyze risk and control information to identify issues, insights, and practical improvements.
• Prepare clear reporting for senior leaders on audit observations and control effectiveness.
• Advise on testing approaches, issue development, and audit reporting quality.
• Coordinate with business and risk stakeholders to understand change activity and emerging risks.
• Support team capability through knowledge sharing, coaching, and participation in relevant forums.

Skills

Operational risk

Analytical skills

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Risk assessment

Stakeholder communication

Education

Professional certification

Job description

Northern Trust in the United States is seeking a senior risk and audit professional to lead audit validation work focused on operational risk and control transformation. You will partner with audit teams, business leaders, and senior stakeholders to interpret regulatory expectations and translate risk themes into practical audit insights.

The role demands 10+ years of risk management experience, strong communication, and a track record delivering high-quality audit coverage in a regulated