Co-Head, US Investment Operations

056 Northern Trust Investments Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 123,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust Asset Management seeks the Co-Head of US Investment Operations to shape strategy and oversee daily operations across core investment functions, working with Investments, Product, Marketing, Distribution, the COO Office, Data Office and Technology to realize the roadmap.

You will lead front office support, client onboarding, rebalancing, and model management, while strengthening vendor relationships and governance to improve efficiency and scalability across NTAM.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the investment management business across asset classes.
• Experience managing onshore and offshore teams with vendor management.
• Strong negotiation and executive communication skills for senior audiences.
• Ability to drive digital and automation-driven transformation.
• Global perspective with cultural awareness and collaboration across regions.
• Bachelor’s degree; MBA and CFA strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead core investment operations functions across NTAM clients, accounts, and funds.
• Oversee the follow-the-sun model and drive global governance and standards.
• Architect future-state operating models and processes to support evolving business needs.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to measure operational impact and value delivery.
• Manage vendor relationships with brokers, prime brokers, platforms, custodians, and fund accountants.
• Hire, motivate and manage talent to retain, grow, and build bench strength.

Skills

Investment operations

Team leadership

Vendor management

Digital transformation

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

CFA preferred

Tools

Eagle

Aladdin

Archer

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.

Role Summary

Northern Trust Asset Management (NTAM) is a trillion-dollar investment management firm entrusted by investors around the globe to help them navigate changing market environments, so they can confidently realize their long-term objectives. The Co-Head of US Investment Operations, reporting to the Global Head of Investment Operations, is responsible for shaping strategy and overseeing the daily operations of NTAM’s core investment operations functions. In partnership with Investments, Product, Marketing, Distribution, the COO Office, Data Office, and Technology, this role supports execution of the strategic roadmap and helps maintain a world-class operating model across NTAM’s books of record, including IBOR, ABOR, and PBOR. The role ensures accurate representation of positions, transactions, and cash across Eagle, Aladdin, and Archer. Key areas of accountability include Front Office Support, Client Account Management, model management and rebalancing, and intermediary operations. Success in the role requires strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including custodians, transfer agents, brokers, fund accountants, and technology vendors, as well as the digital and people leadership needed to achieve scale.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead core investment operations functions, including client onboarding and management, system set-ups, front office support, rebalancing support and model execution, and intermediary oversight across all NTAM clients, accounts, and funds.
• Oversee the follow-the-sun model and drive best practices and standards across all regions, influencing teams globally via functional reporting lines.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to assess current state and architect future-state operating models, processes, and capabilities required to successfully support evolving business needs to drive excellence.
• Leverage modern technology and AI to execute a roadmap in terms meaningful to both business and technology organizations.
• Develop service levels with the business, establish a robust governance and control framework to ensure delivery of timely and accurate information, and monitor ongoing effectiveness.
• Lead NTAM’s vendor relationships with brokers, prime brokers, technology platforms, custodians, transfer agents, and fund accountants.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen the first line of defense (1LOD) by instilling a culture of continuous improvement and robust policy and procedure documentation and process to reduce operational risk and drive operational excellence.
• Lead, participate in, and oversee existing and emerging proprietary or vended applications and data, while providing thought leadership on the effective use of spend.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to measure effectiveness of operational functions and ensure value delivery.
• Hire, motivate and manage talent to retain, grow, build bench strength and resiliency.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

Detailed understanding of the investment management business, multiple asset classes, and investment/financial technology systems within a large-scale Asset Management or Asset Servicing setting.

Experience managing and developing teams of onshore and offshore resources with excellent motivation and team-building skills, including the ability to recruit, develop, and retain staff. Knowledge of investment operations, cash processes, trading practices, analytics, strategy development, influencing, facilitation, and consensus building. Prior experience in integrating and influencing others across a network and unlocking new opportunities to drive excellence in operations. Dynamic relationship-building and partnership skills; a strong collaborator with experience leading initiatives across multiple groups and stakeholders. Strong negotiation and vendor management experience. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to develop materials and effectively present to and persuade executive audiences. Experience driving digital and automation-driven transformation to improve efficiency and scalability. Global outlook with sensitivity and awareness of social and cultural differences. Strong situational awareness and decision-making capabilities.

Necessary Experience and Education

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

At least twenty years of work experience in the investment management industry, with a demonstrated track record of leading the operational functions at a mid-to-large investment manager. Track record of developing and driving a transformation vision and agenda.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $123,400 - 216,000 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.

Terms and Conditions

Candidate Privacy Notice California Applicant Privacy Notice Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (U.S) Transparency in Coverage Disclosure - North America Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center or call 1-800-807-0302 (North America), [phone] (Asia Pacific), 1800-425-0333 (India), [phone] (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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.)