Head of Operations - NTAM Technology

Koitecc Solutions; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 206,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking a Head of Operations Technology to define the technology vision and delivery roadmap across Asset Management operations, reporting, and compliance. You will partner with executives to translate strategy into scalable platforms and measurable business outcomes.

Lead global engineering, architecture, DevOps, and data teams; drive modernization, cloud adoption, and risk management while ensuring regulatory compliance and excellent client experience.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership in technology within asset management or financial services.
• 7+ years managing global teams and complex programs.
• Hands-on experience with AI, data, and cloud initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute multi-year technology strategies and roadmaps.
• Lead modernization of platforms across onboarding, reporting, and oversight.
• Drive AI, data governance, and secure engineering practices.

Skills

Leadership experience

Executive collaboration

Cloud Azure adoption

AI adoption

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience

MBA preferred

Tools

Azure

React

Java microservices

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 Overview

The Head of Operations Technology is a strategic technology executive responsible for defining and executing the technology vision, transformation strategy, and delivery roadmap supporting Northern Trust Asset Management's Operations, Administration, Client Reporting, Regulatory, and Client Servicing capabilities.

This role operates at the intersection of business and technology, partnering with executive leadership to translate strategic priorities into scalable technology solutions, enterprise platforms, and measurable business outcomes. The position has accountability for technology strategy, portfolio execution, organizational leadership, modernization, AI adoption, operational resilience, and financial stewardship across a diverse global technology portfolio.

As a senior technology leader, this role builds and develops high-performing organizations, foster innovation, and creates trusted partnerships across business, operations, architecture, data, risk, and technology teams to accelerate growth, improve efficiency, enhance client experience, and maintain regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Technology Leadership

• Define and execute multi-year technology strategies , investment priorities, funding decisions, and capability roadmaps aligned with business growth, operational excellence, regulatory requirements, and client outcomes.
• Lead the modernization and transformation of strategic business platforms supporting client onboarding, reporting, investment operations, regulatory reporting, revenue oversight, and managed account capabilities.
• Drive modernization, automation, cloud adoption, SaaS platforms, AI, and modern engineering practices to improve scalability, resiliency, productivity , and client service.

Executive Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business, operations, product, and technology leaders, influencing organizational strategy , technology direction , and measurable business outcomes .

Organizational & Talent Leadership

• Lead global engineering, architecture, DevOps, quality, and software delivery teams.
• Build high-performing leadership teams through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and talent development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, diversity, and continuous learning.
• Drive agile operating models that improve organizational effectiveness and business outcomes.

Portfolio & Delivery Leadership

• Provide oversight for a complex portfolio of business-critical platforms, products, and transformation initiatives , ensuring governance, financial accountability, predictable delivery, and effective risk management .
• Drive predictable delivery of strategic initiatives while balancing business priorities, vulnerability management , technical debt reduction, and operational stability.
• Manage portfolio risk, dependencies, resource allocation, vendor relationships, and stakeholder expectations to deliver successful business outcomes .

AI, Data & Innovation Leadership

• Champion AI, automation, analytics, and emerging technologies to improve productivity, decision-making, operational efficiency, client outcomes , and competitive differentiation .
• Establish reusable AI capabilities, governance frameworks, engineering standards, and scalable adoption models across business functions.
• Promote data as a strategic asset by advancing data quality, analytics, transparency, and self-service capabilities.

Architecture, Modernization & Engineering Excellence

• Drive enterprise architecture alignment, build-versus-buy decisions, technology lifecycle management, platform simplification, vendor strategy, and reduction of technical debt.
• Advance DevOps, automation, quality engineering, secure development practices, and modern delivery methodologies to improve engineering productivity and platform reliability.

Risk, Controls & Operational Excellence

• Ensure compliance with audit, cybersecurity, risk, resiliency, governance, regulatory , architecture, and security standards across the technology portfolio.
• Drive operational excellence and business value through platform modernization, automation, process optimization, and data-driven performance management.

Financial & Investment Management

• Provide stewardship of technology investments, operating budgets, capital allocations, and outcome-based performance measures .
• Evaluate investment opportunities and prioritize initiatives based on business value, risk reduction, scalability, operational efficiency, and client impact.

What Sets You Apart

Experience

• 15 + years of leadership in enterprise-scale technology organizations within asset management, investment banking, or related financial services.
• 7+ years of people leadership, including global management of managers .
• Hands-on experience with the investment operations lifecycle: trade management, portfolio accounting, performance measurement, regulatory reporting, and client reporting.
• Experience with two or more of the following platforms: Eagle, BlackRock Aladdin, Sylvan, State Street FundConnect , Kurtosys, Snowflake."
• Proven track record of successfully leading digital strategy and transformation for a major organization."
• Experience building green-field applications on cloud (Azure preferably) from the ground up using open architecture (React, Java microservices, workflow engines) .
• Experience engaging with senior executives, global regulators, audit, and risk committees.

Expertise

• Deep knowledge of asset management across public and private markets.
• Strong command of financial services regulatory landscapes and technology frameworks.
• Experience scaling AI and advanced technologies within an investment business.
• Strong understanding of the value of data, bringing it to life, and leveraging modern tools, platforms, AI, and cloud to deliver the best experience.

Leadership

• Exceptional ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate at the executive level.
• Proven success leading in complex, highly matrixed global organizations.
• Strong people leader with a focus on talent development, culture, and organizational effectiveness.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred .

Salary Range

$205,700 - 360,100 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.