Client Onboarding Specalist

Northern Trust•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Northern Trust is a global leader in wealth management, asset servicing, asset management, and banking services. The Foundation & Institutional Advisors (FIA) practice within Northern Trust serves nonprofit organizations, private foundations, public charities, endowments, healthcare organizations, religious institutions, and ERISA clients with at least $10 million in investable assets. This role is for a driven, proactive, and intellectually curious Client Onboarding Specialist to join the FIA team.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
3+ years of financial services, operations, onboarding, client service, or project management experience.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams and functions.
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead meetings, deliver presentations, and communicate effectively with clients and senior stakeholders.
Strong executive presence and professionalism when interacting with institutional clients and internal business partners.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary coordinator for assigned client onboarding and asset transition events.
Develop and manage onboarding plans, milestones, and implementation timelines.
Coordinate activities among Client Advisors, Portfolio Advisors, Operations, Legal, Risk, Compliance, and external parties.
Facilitate onboarding meetings and provide timely status updates to clients and internal stakeholders.
Manage multiple onboarding projects simultaneously while ensuring deadlines and service expectations are met.
Monitor onboarding progress and proactively address risks, delays, and obstacles.
Deliver a high-touch, white-glove onboarding experience that reflects Northern Trust's commitment to service and expertise.
Lead onboarding kickoff meetings, introducing the onboarding process, establishing expectations, and outlining key milestones for clients and stakeholders.
Present onboarding plans, timelines, and progress updates in a clear, professional, and engaging manner.
Build credibility and confidence with clients by serving as a knowledgeable and trusted resource throughout the onboarding journey.
Maintain frequent, clear, and professional communication with clients and internal stakeholders throughout the onboarding process.
Anticipate client needs and respond to inquiries with urgency, professionalism, and a client-centric mindset.
Navigate complex situations while maintaining composure and a solutions-oriented approach.
Ensure a seamless transition of the client relationship to the ongoing service team upon completion of onboarding.
Ensure adherence to onboarding policies, procedures, controls, and documentation requirements.
Review onboarding documentation for completeness and accuracy.
Identify potential operational, procedural, or regulatory risks and escalate concerns appropriately.
Maintain a strong focus on quality while balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
Identify opportunities to improve onboarding processes, efficiency, and client experience.
Document lessons learned and recommend practical solutions to recurring challenges.
Utilize dashboards, reporting tools, and tracking mechanisms to monitor progress and identify trends.
Contribute to the ongoing development of onboarding best practices and operational procedures.