Equity Portfolio Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Life & disability insurance

Discretionary bonus program

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking a seasoned portfolio professional to manage equity index portfolios, implement strategies, and oversee events such as reconstitutions and corporate actions. You will collaborate with traders, research, and client teams to optimize execution and risk management.

The role emphasizes scalability, automation, and using Aladdin for portfolio oversight, with opportunities for impact across global index capabilities and client deliverables.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in equity index portfolio management or related function.
• Strong understanding of benchmark construction methodologies and index replication.
• Experience managing portfolios through corporate actions, index rebalances, and transitions.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication with clients and senior management.

Responsibilities

• Manage a range of equity index portfolios, ETFs, and client accounts.
• Oversee daily portfolio implementation and execution with proper controls.
• Lead index reconstitutions and complex benchmark events.
• Utilize Aladdin and analytics tools for portfolio oversight.
• Support client meetings, due diligence, and reporting with relationship managers.

Skills

Equity index mgmt

Portfolio implementation

Trading

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Aladdin

Python

SQL

VBA

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.

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.

Primary Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Implementation

• Manage a range of equity index portfolios, collective investment funds, ETFs, and separately managed accounts.
• Maintain portfolios within client guidelines, prospectus requirements, regulatory constraints, and internal risk parameters.
• Oversee daily portfolio implementation activities, including cash equitization, corporate actions, rebalances, benchmark changes, account transitions, and large cash flows.
• Drive improvements in tracking error, portfolio efficiency, implementation costs, and benchmark alignment.
• Monitor portfolio exposures, risk characteristics, and performance attribution to identify opportunities for enhancement.

Index & Market Event Management

• Lead portfolio implementation for index reconstitutions, corporate actions, mergers, spin-offs, IPOs, deletions, rights offerings, and other benchmark events.
• Evaluate implementation alternatives and trading strategies to minimize market impact and transaction costs.
• Partner with traders and research teams to determine optimal execution approaches for complex events.

Technology & Process Innovation

• Utilize portfolio management and trading platforms, including Aladdin and related analytics tools, to support portfolio construction and oversight.
• Identify opportunities to improve scalability, automation, operational controls, and investment processes.
• Participate in strategic technology initiatives designed to enhance portfolio management capabilities and operational efficiency.
• Leverage data, analytics, and automation tools to improve investment outcomes and risk monitoring.

Risk Management & Oversight

• Monitor portfolio risk exposures, benchmark alignment, liquidity, and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with client mandates, investment guidelines, tax requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Investigate performance differences, implementation shortfalls, and process exceptions and develop corrective actions when needed.
• Contribute to governance, control, and operational risk frameworks supporting the index business.

Client & Business Development Support

• Partner with relationship managers, consultants, and sales teams to support client meetings, due diligence reviews, and prospective opportunities.
• Articulate Northern Trust's index investment philosophy, portfolio construction approach, implementation capabilities, and performance results.
• Contribute to product development initiatives and the design of new index and ETF solutions.
• Support Requests for Proposal (RFPs), investment reviews, and client reporting discussions.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of experience in equity index portfolio management, portfolio implementation, trading, or a closely related investment function.
• Strong understanding of equity markets, benchmark construction methodologies, and index replication techniques.
• Experience managing portfolios through corporate actions, index rebalances, and benchmark transitions.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving capabilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, investment professionals, and senior management.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced market environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.

Preferred

• Experience managing ETF portfolios.
• Experience managing Global portfolios.
• Experience working with Aladdin or comparable portfolio management systems.
• Familiarity with portfolio optimization, risk models, transaction cost analysis, and performance attribution.
• CFA designation, MBA, or progress toward a professional investment credential.
• Experience with Python, SQL, VBA, or data analytics tools supporting investment decision‑making.

Salary Range

$137,400 - 233,600 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.