HR Data Governance Analyst

Northern Trust • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

About Northern Trust: 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 Data and Analytics Office is seeking a Data Governance Analyst and Advisor to support Human Resources data governance and data management practices. This role focuses on executing and embedding enterprise data governance standards within HR, partnering closely with HR stakeholders and central data governance teams to ensure consistency, data quality, risk management, and regulatory compliance. The role serves as a key liaison between HR and Enterprise Data Governance, helping HR teams understand and apply data governance requirements in day‑to-day operations, initiatives, and system usage.

Requirements

• Foundational understanding of data governance and data management concepts
• Ability to explain data governance requirements to non‑technical business partners
• Understanding of how business functions create, manage, and consume data
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Analytical, detail‑oriented, and able to support multiple activities in parallel
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience
• 3–7 years of experience in data governance, data management, risk, or related disciplines
• Experience working with business partners to implement standards or controls is required

Nice To Haves

• Interest or experience in records management or regulated data is a plus

Responsibilities

• Data Governance Execution (HR Focus) Support the implementation of enterprise data governance policies, standards, and procedures within Human Resources, including: Data classification Metadata management and information architecture Data quality management Data and records retention Assist HR data owners and stewards in understanding and meeting governance requirements across systems, reports, and data assets.
• Stakeholder Partnership Partner with HR teams to identify initiatives with data impacts and ensure appropriate data governance considerations are addressed early. Collaborate with Enterprise Data Governance, Data Privacy, Information Security, and Technology partners to support HR data needs and compliance expectations.
• Data Quality, Protection & Risk Support Help enforce data quality and data protection standards within HR data domains. Support assessment and documentation of data-related risks, working with issue owners to track remediation efforts and align to enterprise controls.
• Tools, Documentation & Enablement Support the use of data governance tools and workflows (e.g., metadata, classification, retention) as applied to HR data. Contribute to HR‑specific guidance, job aids, and documentation to enable consistent application of data governance practices.
• Metrics & Reporting Assist with tracking and reporting data governance metrics related to HR data, supporting updates to leadership and enterprise reporting as needed.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees