Specialist, Business Strategy

Northern Trust; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking a Specialist, Business Strategy within Wealth Client Group to translate growth objectives into clear priorities, resource decisions, and execution plans. The role spans across Wealth Client Group to assess performance, staffing, revenue opportunities, budgets, and trade-offs to scale the team for high-impact results.

Requires 10+ years in strategy/wealth management, a Bachelor’s degree, and strong execution with data-driven insights.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in strategy, business enablement, consulting, transformation, asset management, wealth management, intermediary distribution, or related leadership roles.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; understanding of sales, distribution, product commercialization, and financial drivers in asset or wealth management.
• Strong strategic execution skills with ability to evaluate performance, develop measurable outcomes and influence across stakeholders.
• Proven experience in using data to identify trends that drive business results.

Responsibilities

• Support development of Wealth Client Group’s multi-year growth strategy and annual priorities.
• Translate growth objectives into practical business plans, milestones, ownership models, and measures of success.
• Develop recommendations to advance client acquisition, asset growth, and product prioritization.
• Evaluate staffing models, advisor coverage, territory design, sales support, capability gaps, and resource allocation against objectives.
• Support leadership decisions around prioritization, budget considerations, investment requirements, trade-offs, and sequencing of initiatives.
• Develop business cases for technology, automation, data, reporting, and enablement investments to improve scale and operating leverage.
• Identify opportunities to improve sales effectiveness through better tools, reporting, training, and workflow.
• Analyze market, competitor, industry, advisor, and client trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Provide concise updates and recommendations to leadership on progress, risks, and value.

Skills

Strategy

Business enablement

Transformation

Wealth management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

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.

Job Profile Summary

The Specialist, Business Strategy role will sit within Wealth Client Group and serve as a strategic partner to business leadership, helping translate growth objectives into clear priorities, resource decisions, and execution plans. The role will work across Wealth Client Group to assess business performance, staffing needs, revenue opportunities, budget considerations, and operational trade-offs to help the team scale effectively and focus on the highest-impact opportunities. The position requires a strong balance of strategic thinking, financial discipline, business judgment, and execution focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Support development of Wealth Client Group’s multi-year growth strategy and annual strategic priorities.
• Translate growth objectives into practical business plans, milestones, ownership models, and measures of success.
• Develop recommendations to advance client acquisition, asset growth, strategic account engagement, and product prioritization.
• Evaluate staffing models, advisor coverage, territory design, sales support needs, capability gaps, and resource allocation against business objectives.
• Support leadership decisions around prioritization, budget considerations, investment requirements, trade-offs, and sequencing of strategic initiatives.
• Develop business cases for technology, automation, data, reporting, and enablement investments that improve scale, visibility, and operating leverage.
• Identify opportunities to improve sales effectiveness through better tools, reporting, training, workflow simplification, and follow-through on high-value opportunities.
• Analyze market, competitor, industry, advisor, and client trends to identify growth opportunities and potential gaps.
• Provide concise updates and recommendations to leadership on progress, decisions needed, risks, and expected business value.

Experience and Skills Profile

10+ years of experience in strategy, business enablement, consulting, transformation, asset management, wealth management, intermediary distribution, or related business leadership roles. This should include proven experience in the area to assess the business and drive strategy that allows for business enablement, transformation and future growth.

Bachelor’s degree is required. Understanding of sales, distribution, product commercialization, and financial drivers in asset or wealth management.

Strong strategic execution skills with the ability to evaluate business performance, develop recommendations and connect to measurable outcomes.

Ability to influence and coordinate across stakeholders, business partners, and cross-functional teams.

Strong leadership, organizational, written and verbal communication skills.

Proven experience in using data to identify trends that will drive business results.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $114,700 - 194,900 USD. Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay.

Benefits

• 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. A global financial leader with more than 22,000 employees in 23 locations worldwide, Northern Trust empowers our employees to achieve more than just business goals. Our focus on work-life balance, career mobility and unique opportunities are just a few of the reasons we’ve been named one of the world’s most admired companies.

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.

APAC/INDIA EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy and practice of Northern Trust to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Northern Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age. All employment decisions will be made in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our obligations under the law and codes of practice. This includes human resources’ decisions relating to recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, transfers, promotions and access to learning and development.

Canada EEO STATEMENT

Northern Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring and other employment decisions at Northern Trust are made without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, ethnic origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital status, family status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

EMEA EOO STATEMENT

It is the policy and practice of Northern Trust to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Northern Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age. All employment decisions will be made in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our obligations under the law and codes of practice. This includes human resources’ decisions relating to recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, transfers, promotions and access to learning and development.

USA EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of The Northern Trust Company to afford equal opportunity in all phases of employment without regard to an individual's age, race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic tests and information, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status. EEO Know Your Rights (U.S.)