Data Architect, Securities Services Modernization

Northern Trust Corp.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 137,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus program

401k and pension

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Job summary

Northern Trust Corp. is seeking an experienced Data Architect in Chicago to lead the data architecture strategy for Securities Services. You will design scalable data models, govern enterprise data, and align data products with modernization goals across custody, settlements, and asset servicing.

The role emphasizes event-driven architectures, cloud adoption, and collaboration with business, product, and engineering teams to enable real-time analytics and regulatory reporting capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in Data Architecture, Information Architecture, Data Management, or related roles.
• Strong knowledge of Securities Services, Custody, Settlements, Accounting, Reconciliations, Asset Servicing, or Capital Markets operations.
• Expertise in data modeling, data governance, metadata management, reference/master data, and data quality frameworks.
• Experience designing cloud-based data platforms, data lakes/lakehouses, and event-driven architectures.
• Strong understanding of modern integration patterns including APIs, messaging, and streaming technologies.
• Proven ability to influence senior business and technology leaders and drive enterprise-wide architectural decisions.
• Preferred: Data Mesh and domain-driven architectures; Azure cloud, Databricks, Kafka, Solace; regulatory familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the target-state data architecture for the Securities Services portfolio.
• Develop enterprise, domain, and canonical data models that support strategic business capabilities.
• Establish data architecture standards, design principles, and governance frameworks.
• Drive Data Mesh, data product, metadata, lineage, and data quality strategies across domains.
• Design scalable integration patterns leveraging event-driven architecture, APIs, and cloud-native technologies.
• Partner with business and technology stakeholders to align data strategy with modernization priorities.
• Ensure data platforms support operational, analytical, regulatory, and client reporting needs.
• Lead data architecture reviews and provide guidance on programs and investments.
• Promote reuse, simplification, and standardization of data assets across the enterprise.
• Support regulatory, risk, audit, security, and compliance through robust data controls.

Skills

Data architecture

Data modeling

Data governance

Metadata management

Securities Services knowledge

Cloud-based platforms

API/messaging/streaming

Influence senior leaders

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/Engineering

Tools

Azure

Databricks

Kafka

Solace

Job description

Northern Trust Corp. is seeking an experienced Data Architect in Chicago to lead the data architecture strategy for Securities Services. You will design scalable data models, govern enterprise data, and align data products with modernization goals across custody, settlements, and asset servicing.

The role emphasizes event-driven architectures, cloud adoption, and collaboration with business, product, and engineering teams to enable real-time analytics and regulatory reporting capabilities.