Specialist - Strategic Finance & Planning

Northern Trust Corp; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 114,700 - 194,900; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust Corp in Chicago, IL seeks a Specialist, Strategic Finance & Planning to partner with the Executive Vice President and senior leaders, providing financial insight, strategic guidance, and recommendations to drive performance and resource allocation.

You will lead annual and strategic planning, forecasts, operating and capital budgets, workforce planning, and executive reviews with dashboards and presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Financial Planning & Analysis, Corporate Finance, Strategic Finance, or Business Advisory functions.
• Demonstrated success leading planning, forecasting, workforce strategy, and executive decision-support activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual planning, strategic planning, forecasts, and monthly outlooks for the COO organization, including operating expenses, capital expenditures, workforce planning, contractor management, and investment initiatives.
• Manage workforce planning, organizational analysis, and resource allocation through headcount forecasting, productivity analysis, and capacity planning.
• Oversee operating and capital budgets, analyze financial results, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend actions to improve performance and efficiency.
• Develop executive reporting, dashboards, presentations, and business reviews that communicate financial performance, workforce metrics, forecasts, and strategic priorities.
• Partner with senior leaders to evaluate strategic initiatives, technology investments, workforce strategies, and operating model changes through financial modeling.
• Provide financial guidance and strategic recommendations to executive leadership on business performance, workforce strategy, investment decisions, emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Drive collaboration across Finance, Human Resources, Technology, Operations, and Business leadership to align financial plans, workforce strategies, and business priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Executive Vice Presidents and senior leaders by delivering actionable insights, influencing decision-making, and communicating complex business issues with clarity and impact.

Skills

Financial Planning & Analysis

Strategic finance

Forecasting

Budgeting

Management reporting

Business case development

Workforce planning

Organizational finance

Expense management

Strategic decision support

Excel

PowerPoint

Financial planning tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Financial planning software

Job description

## Specialist - Strategic Finance & PlanningApplyremote type: Hybridlocations: Chicago, ILtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: R158422**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. The Specialist, Strategic Finance & Planning will serve as the primary Finance and Strategic Planning advisor to the Executive Vice President and senior leadership team of one of Northern Trust's largest business functions. This role will provide financial insight, strategic guidance, and recommendations to drive business performance and resource allocation.**Major Duties*** Lead annual planning, strategic planning, forecasts, and monthly outlooks for the COO organization, including operating expenses, capital expenditures, workforce planning, contractor management, and investment initiatives.* Manage workforce planning, organizational analysis, and resource allocation through headcount forecasting, productivity analysis, and capacity planning.* Oversee operating and capital budgets, analyze financial results, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend actions to improve performance and efficiency.* Develop executive reporting, dashboards, presentations, and business reviews that communicate financial performance, workforce metrics, forecasts, and strategic priorities.* Partner with senior leaders to evaluate strategic initiatives, technology investments, workforce strategies, and operating model changes through financial modeling.* Provide financial guidance and strategic recommendations to executive leadership on business performance, workforce strategy, investment decisions, emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.* Drive collaboration across Finance, Human Resources, Technology, Operations, and Business leadership to align financial plans, workforce strategies, and business priorities.* Serve as a trusted advisor to Executive Vice Presidents and senior leaders by delivering actionable insights, influencing decision-making, and communicating complex business issues with clarity and impact.**Knowledge*** Advanced expertise in Financial Planning & Analysis, strategic finance, forecasting, budgeting, management reporting, and business case development.* Strong understanding of workforce planning, organizational finance, expense management, and strategic decision support.* Exceptional analytical, financial modeling, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex information into executive-level recommendations.* Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence senior leaders and present complex financial and strategic concepts effectively.* Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and financial planning tools.**Experience*** Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related field required.* 10+ years of progressive experience in Financial Planning & Analysis, Corporate Finance, Strategic Finance, or Business Advisory functions.* Demonstrated success leading planning, forecasting, workforce strategy, and executive decision-support activities.* Proven ability to influence business outcomes and partner effectively with senior leaders to drive financial performance and strategic initiatives.**Working Model:** Hybrid (#LI-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.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)Salary Range:$114,700 - 194,900 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.*