Head of Client /Channel Marketing

Northern Trust; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 137,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k and pension

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Parental leave

Life & accident insurance

Discretionary bonus program

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking a Head of Client/Channel Marketing in Asset Management Marketing to lead a global team, align marketing strategies with enterprise priorities, and drive client acquisition, retention, and revenue growth. You will oversee budgets, collaborate with product and content teams, and mentor a high-performing unit to achieve measurable results.

The role requires deep client-segment knowledge, strategic thinking, and outstanding communication skills to influence senior

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive asset management marketing experience in channel or client marketing.
• Deep understanding of institutional, wealth, and intermediary client segments and firms.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated ability to execute technical writing and craft nuanced messaging for institutions and financial advisors.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of annual client marketing plans by channel and sub-segment.
• Shape, develop, and execute client-focused marketing campaigns.
• Oversee MQL delivery and SQL conversion and sales engagement processes.

Skills

Asset marketing

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder mgmt

Campaign mgmt

Content strategy

Leadership

Team leadership

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.

Role/Department

Head of Client/Channel Marketing--Asset Management Marketing

The Head of Client/Channel Marketing will provide strategic leadership for the development and disciplined execution of marketing strategies that drive client acquisition, retention, and organic revenue growth. Leading a global team of client marketers, this leader will align segment‑specific marketing strategies with enterprise and business priorities, channel sales leader objectives, and evolving client needs. They will partner across the business to define, operationalize, and deliver comprehensive client marketing programs and campaigns for priority target audiences.

They will be accountable for annual segment‑specific marketing plans, including channel‑ and firm‑level campaigns, ensuring each initiative is strategically aligned, message‑driven, effectively resourced, and delivered on time and on budget. Partner with the Head of Integrated Campaigns, Product and Content Marketing, to execute campaigns and evaluate campaign performance, identify opportunities to strengthen impact, and make data‑driven recommendations that reflect channel nuances and client goals. They will also oversee the client marketing budget, ensuring resources are allocated with strategic intent, commercial discipline, and operational efficiency.

As a senior leader within the Asset Management Marketing team, they will serve as a trusted partner to senior sales leaders, building durable relationships and developing a nuanced understanding of their priorities, growth objectives, retention challenges, and market opportunities. They will also lead effective collaboration with business stakeholders and corporate marketing centers of excellence—including product, compliance, investments, performance, digital marketing, and creative services—to ensure strategic alignment, coordinated execution, and a consistently client‑centric approach.

As both a strategic leader and student of the business, they will remain current on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in client marketing, translating those insights into practical opportunities for the organization. They will also lead, mentor, and motivate a high‑performing team of client marketing professionals, providing direction, support, and constructive performance feedback that strengthens both team capability and executional excellence.

The Key Responsibilities Of The Role Include

• Strategic Planning and Execution: Lead the development and execution of annual client marketing plans by channel—global institutional, consultants, wealth, and intermediary—by sub‑segment, including pension, DC, foundation and endowment, wirehouse, and RIA, and at the firm level as appropriate. Plans should translate business priorities into channel‑specific programs, events, content, and integrated campaign efforts.
• Campaign Development and Management: Partner with the Head of Integrated Campaign Strategy to shape, develop, and execute client‑focused marketing campaigns, ensuring they remain on strategy, on message, on budget, and delivered on time.
• Lead scoring and automated nurture campaigns: Oversee execution of programs designed to drive MQL delivery and SQL conversion, including ownership of sales engagement processes, MQL feedback meetings, reporting, and optimization strategies.
• Messaging Strategy: Define and guide differentiated messaging strategies grounded in deep client‑segment knowledge to resonate with target audiences, sharpen relevance, and drive engagement.
• Sales Enablement: Guide team members in developing effective sales enablement tactics informed by deep segment expertise, technical investment knowledge, and practical understanding of sales requirements and client decision journeys.
• Custom Content Development: Lead partnership on the development of custom content that drives engagement with institutions, consultants, and advisors by positioning Northern Trust Asset Management investment capabilities and subject matter expert thought leaders with clarity and commercial relevance.
• Event Strategy: Ensure product and content strategy are integrated across pre‑event, post‑event, and experiential‑event marketing to create a custom audience experience and a cohesive client journey that reinforces priority capability and campaign goals.
• Campaign Analysis and Optimization: Lead participation in campaign performance analysis, identify opportunities to improve effectiveness, and make data‑driven recommendations based on client‑segment nuances. Report results to business partners to increase awareness, accountability, and participation.
• Internal Client/Partner Relationship Management, Collaboration, and Communication: Build and steward strategic relationships with critical business partners to ensure marketing strategies are aligned with business goals, responsive to client needs, and grounded in a client‑centric approach.
• Cross‑partner Communications: Establish and maintain an effective communication cadence that ensures transparency, alignment, and ongoing strategy implementation and optimization across partners.
• Budget Management: Oversee the client marketing budget with disciplined financial stewardship, ensuring resources are allocated strategically, efficiently, and in support of business priorities.
• Team Leadership and Management: Lead, mentor, and motivate a global team of direct reports, providing clear strategic direction, hands‑on guidance, support, developmental feedback, and training.
• Industry Knowledge and Trends: Maintain a forward‑looking view of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in client marketing, translating external insights into practical improvements and new opportunities.

Skills/Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive asset management marketing experience in channel or client marketing required, with demonstrated ability to lead strategy while driving high‑quality execution.
• Deep understanding of institutional, wealth, and intermediary client segments and firms, including their unique nuances, buying psychology, commercial priorities, and sales requirements/cycles.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Demonstrated ability to execute technical writing and craft nuanced, audience‑specific messaging for institutions and financial advisors that communicates compelling, differentiated benefits informed by custom audience needs.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with an innovative mindset.
• Ability to lead campaign‑specific narrative development, including deep experience defining the messaging house, ideating campaign hooks, writing compelling headlines, and integrating and refining that messaging across campaign assets such as ads, landing pages, email, and social.
• Strong technical investment knowledge and executive judgment, with the ability to translate difficult or complex investment concepts into practical, applicable content and messaging.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the credibility and judgment to influence senior stakeholders on marketing strategy and best practices. Demonstrated experience collaborating with senior stakeholders across investment, sales, and product teams.
• A self‑starter with a strong commercial orientation, high‑performing mindset, intellectual curiosity, executive presence, and drive to win.
• Critical thinker with superior problem‑solving skills and the ability to lead cross‑functional teams, organize people and resources, and drive measurable outcomes in response to business needs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, stakeholders, and competing objectives while leading through transformation with confidence and operational discipline.
• Strong understanding of U.S. and international regulatory requirements and regulations, with the judgment to operate effectively in a highly regulated asset management environment.

Working Model

Hybrid ()

We have a balanced hybrid working model to ensure you get the flexibility you need, and the successful candidate will spend their time between working in the office and working from home.

Salary Range

$137,400 - 240,400 USD

• 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
• 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.