Head of PMO, Transformation Office
About The Position
The Transformation Office is responsible for driving enterprise-wide strategic transformation across Northern Trust, partnering with senior leaders to translate strategy into measurable, sustained business outcomes. With a significant focus on transforming Wealth Management, the team leads complex initiatives across strategy, operating model design, data and AI, technology, and change management to reimagine how we serve clients, empower employees, and drive growth. Through a combination of strategic execution, innovation, and disciplined delivery, the Transformation Office builds the capabilities, frameworks, and solutions that enable lasting impact across Wealth Management and the broader enterprise. Build the capability. Enable the transformation. Join the Transformation Office at an exciting stage of growth and help build a high-performing function focused on delivering enterprise-wide transformation. Reporting to the Head of Transformation Enablement, the Head of PMO will be responsible for establishing and leading the program management capability that drives the successful execution of strategic transformation initiatives across the organization. This role will serve as the central leader for transformation governance, execution oversight, portfolio management, and delivery excellence. Working closely with executive leadership, the Head of PMO will ensure strategic priorities are translated into actionable plans, managed through rigorous governance, and delivered with measurable business outcomes.
Requirements
- 15+ years of experience leading enterprise PMOs, strategic programs, transformation offices, or large-scale change initiatives.
- Proven track record delivering complex, enterprise-wide transformation programs with measurable business results.
- Deep expertise in portfolio management, governance, program delivery, and organizational change.
- Experience leading teams of program and project management professionals.
- Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Experience in complex, highly regulated organizations, preferably within financial services.
- Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and strategic planning skills.
- Bachelor's degree required
Nice To Haves
- MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Responsibilities
- Partner with the Chief Transformation Officer and senior business leaders to execute the enterprise transformation agenda.
- Translate strategic objectives into integrated transformation plans, roadmaps, milestones, and measurable success metrics.
- Provide oversight and direction for a portfolio of complex, cross-functional transformation initiatives spanning business, operations, technology, data, and change management.
- Ensure programs are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to intended business outcomes.
- Build, lead, and continuously enhance the PMO function within the Transformation Office.
- Establish enterprise program management standards, methodologies, tools, and reporting frameworks.
- Implement governance processes that provide transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making.
- Oversee portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, dependency management, risk management, and escalation processes.
- Ensure robust performance tracking, benefits realization, and ROI measurement across all transformation initiatives.
- Drive disciplined program and portfolio management practices across the transformation portfolio.
- Develop repeatable frameworks, templates, and best practices that enable consistent execution and scalability.
- Monitor program performance and proactively address risks, issues, and delivery challenges.
- Promote a culture of accountability, execution excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Build strong relationships with executive sponsors, business leaders, and functional stakeholders across the enterprise.
- Provide regular executive-level reporting on portfolio status, risks, financial performance, and business outcomes.
- Influence and align stakeholders around transformation priorities and strategic objectives.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on program execution, governance, and delivery strategy.
- Drive adoption of data, analytics, automation, and AI-enabled solutions to enhance program delivery, decision-making, and business outcomes.
- Develop organizational capabilities in program management and transformation execution.
- Foster collaboration across teams to create sustainable, enterprise-wide ways of working.
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
