Global Head of Wealth Management Compliance

Northern Trust • Chicago, IL

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889. Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service. The Global Head of Wealth Compliance is responsible for leading, developing, and executing the compliance strategy for the firm’s global wealth management business. This role ensures that the organisation meets all regulatory obligations across jurisdictions, maintains robust conduct and fiduciary standards, and implements effective compliance frameworks that support sustainable business growth, protect clients, and safeguard the firm’s reputation. This is a senior leadership position that requires deep expertise in wealth and investment management regulation, strong risk management acumen, and the ability to influence executive‑level stakeholders globally. The role oversees a global team of compliance professionals and reports directly to the Global Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer (CCEO).

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive Compliance experience
• Deep knowledge of global regulatory frameworks (SEC, FRB, FCA, PRA, MAS).
• Strong understanding of compliance risk management, conduct risk, and financial crimes compliance.
• Proven ability to influence regulators, boards, and executive leadership.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical skills, and judgement.
• Strong leadership presence with outstanding communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Abide by all regulatory and corporate requirements
• Promote Northern Trust’s OneNT strategy of strengthening resiliency and manging risk, optimizing growth and driving productivity through the NT enablers of technology, talent and data.
• Act as a role model and demonstrate cultural behaviours of being relentlessly client centric.
• Constantly managing risk, respectfully candid, intentionally inclusive and always accountable.

Nice To Haves

• JD, MBA, CAMS, or other advanced qualifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CCEO to develop and execute the compliance strategy for Global Wealth Compliance in alignment with business objectives, regulatory expectations, and the firm’s risk appetite.
• Provide forward-looking compliance guidance on business initiatives, regulatory change, and emerging risk trends.
• Lead and enhance the end-to-end Global Wealth compliance program, including regulatory compliance, conduct risk management, financial crimes compliance (e.g., AML, sanctions), conduct adherence partnering with relevant peer leaders as required
• Oversee the effectiveness of policies, controls, monitoring activities, and quality assurance across the Wealth business.
• Support the Global Wealth business in the identification of emerging compliance risks and ensure proper monitoring, testing, and mitigation strategies are in place.
• Integrate Wealth Compliance activities with the broader Enterprise Risk Management framework.
• Serve as the primary Compliance point of contact for regulators overseeing the Global Wealth business.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders and product teams on new initiatives, new product approvals, digital wealth solutions, and client onboarding models.
• Provide clear, pragmatic guidance to support commercial objectives while protecting the firm and its clients
• Lead interactions related to exams, inquiries, remediation activities, and regulatory reporting specific to the Global Banking and Markets business.
• Partner with Compliance Senior Leadership Enterprise Compliance members to lead the implementation of the Wealth Compliance Program across the Wealth legal entities
• Advise business partners, including senior management, on compliance risks specific to the Wealth business
• Oversee compliance with global, regional, and local regulatory requirements (e.g., FCA, SEC, FINRA, MAS, ESMA, ASIC, SFC).
• Ensure effective regulatory change management for wealth‑related rules, including suitability, best‑interest duties, AML/CTF, sanctions, cross‑border marketing, data privacy, and consumer protection partnering with peer leads as appropriate
• Participate in governance forums, and regional/legal entity forums as appropriate providing regular updates on compliance risk matters, inclusive of themes, regulatory developments, and significant incidents
• Provide relevant subject matter expertise for training programs to ensure employees understand regulatory obligations and ethical standards.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, globally distributed team of Compliance Officers.
• Promote collaboration, professional development, and operational excellence.
• Ensure strong succession planning and resource management.

Benefits

• 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
• discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior