Global Head of Wealth Management Compliance

ACCA Careers; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 172,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust in Chicago seeks a Global Head of Wealth Compliance to lead the compliance strategy for the firm's global wealth management business. You will partner with the CCEO to ensure regulatory obligations are met across jurisdictions, with a focus on risk management, conduct standards, and sustainable growth.

The role oversees a distributed team of compliance professionals and reports to the Global Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer, advising senior leaders on new initiatives, product

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive Compliance experience.
• Deep knowledge of global regulatory frameworks (SEC, FRB, FCA, PRA, MAS).
• Strong leadership, risk management, and ability to influence regulators and executives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Global Wealth Compliance strategy in alignment with business objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Lead the end-to-end Global Wealth compliance program, including regulatory, conduct, and financial crimes controls.
• Oversee policies, controls, monitoring, and QA across the Wealth business; advise senior leaders on initiatives and new product approvals.

Skills

Compliance leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Strategic thinking

Influence regulators

Communication skills

Leadership presence

Education

Bachelor's degree

JD or MBA preferred

CAMS or advanced qualifications preferred

Job description

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

The Global Head of Wealth Compliance is responsible for leading, developing, and executing the compliance strategy for the firm’s global wealth management business. This role ensures that the organisation meets all regulatory obligations across jurisdictions, maintains robust conduct and fiduciary standards, and implements effective compliance frameworks that support sustainable business growth, protect clients, and safeguard the firm’s reputation.

This is a senior leadership position that requires deep expertise in wealth and investment management regulation, strong risk management acumen, and the ability to influence executive‑level stakeholders globally. The role oversees a global team of compliance professionals and reports directly to the Global Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer (CCEO).

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the CCEO to develop and execute the compliance strategy for Global Wealth Compliance in alignment with business objectives, regulatory expectations, and the firm’s risk appetite.
• Provide forward-looking compliance guidance on business initiatives, regulatory change, and emerging risk trends.
• Lead and enhance the end-to-end Global Wealth compliance program, including regulatory compliance, conduct risk management, financial crimes compliance (e.g., AML, sanctions), conduct adherence partnering with relevant peer leaders as required
• Oversee the effectiveness of policies, controls, monitoring activities, and quality assurance across the Wealth business.
• Support the Global Wealth business in the identification of emerging compliance risks and ensure proper monitoring, testing, and mitigation strategies are in place.
• Support the Global wealth business in the identification of emerging compliance risks and ensure proper monitoring, testing, and mitigation strategies are in place.
• Integrate Wealth Compliance activities with the broader Enterprise Risk Management framework.
• Serve as the primary Compliance point of contact for regulators overseeing the Global Wealth business.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders and product teams on new initiatives, new product approvals, digital wealth solutions, and client onboarding models.
• Provide clear, pragmatic guidance to support commercial objectives while protecting the firm and its clients
• Lead interactions related to exams, inquiries, remediation activities, and regulatory reporting specific to the Global Banking and Markets business.
• Partner with Compliance Senior Leadership Enterprise Compliance members to lead the implementation of the Wealth Compliance Program across the Wealth legal entities
• Advise business partners, including senior management, on compliance risks specific to the Wealth business
• Oversee compliance with global, regional, and local regulatory requirements (e.g., FCA, SEC, FINRA, MAS, ESMA, ASIC, SFC).
• Ensure effective regulatory change management for wealth‑related rules, including suitability, best‑interest duties, AML/CTF, sanctions, cross‑border marketing, data privacy, and consumer protection partnering with peer leads as appropriate
• Participate in governance forums, and regional/legal entity forums as appropriate providing regular updates on compliance risk matters, inclusive of themes, regulatory developments, and significant incidents
• Provide relevant subject matter expertise for training programs to ensure employees understand regulatory obligations and ethical standards.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing, globally distributed team of Compliance Officers.
• Promote collaboration, professional development, and operational excellence.
• Ensure strong succession planning and resource management.

The successful candidate will demonstrate some of the following skills

• Foster a strong compliance risk management and accountability across the Wealth organisation.
• Champion behavioural expectations aligned with Northern Trust’s values and conduct risk principles.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff, fostering an environment that encourages employee participation, teamwork, and communication
• Deep knowledge of wealth‑related regulatory frameworks across major jurisdictions.
• Strong understanding of investment products (e.g., funds, structured products, discretionary portfolios, alternatives, ESG offerings)
• Abide by all regulatory and corporate requirements
• Promote Northern Trust’s OneNT strategy of strengthening resiliency and manging risk, optimizing growth and driving productivity through the NT enablers of technology, talent and data.
• Act as a role model and demonstrate cultural behaviours of being relentlessly client centric. Constantly managing risk, respectfully candid, intentionally inclusive and always accountable.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will benefit from having:

• 15+ years of progressive Compliance experience
• Deep knowledge of global regulatory frameworks (SEC, FRB, FCA, PRA, MAS).
• Strong understanding of compliance risk management, conduct risk, and financial crimes compliance.
• Proven ability to influence regulators, boards, and executive leadership.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical skills, and judgement.
• Strong leadership presence with outstanding communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required; JD, MBA, CAMS, or other advanced qualifications preferred.

Salary Range

$171,700 - 300,500 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.

Working With Us

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose. We’d love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world’s most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. We hope you’re excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people. Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater. For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.

Reasonable accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [e-mail]. We hope you’re excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.