New Business Specialist

Northern Trust • Chicago, IL

1d • $95,600 - $162,400

About The Position

The New Business Specialist is responsible for originating and advancing new business opportunities within the nonprofit, endowment, foundation, and OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) client segments. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, and converting prospective institutional relationships by aligning Northern Trust’s OCIO, investment management, and fiduciary capabilities with the complex needs of mission-driven organizations. The Specialist serves as a key connector between prospective clients and the broader service team, ensuring a thoughtful and strategic approach to positioning Northern Trust’s institutional capabilities. Engagement may range from early-stage education and market outreach to full-cycle pursuit management, depending on a prospect’s awareness, sophistication, and readiness to engage. A deep understanding of nonprofit governance structures, investment pools, spending policies, and OCIO delivery models is essential, along with knowledge of broader Asset Management and Corporate & Institutional Services capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent professional experience required.
• Relevant experience in institutional asset management, OCIO, nonprofit advisory, or foundation/endowment client coverage strongly preferred.
• 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)
• Strong understanding of nonprofit, foundation, and endowment client segments, including governance and investment frameworks.
• Expertise in OCIO models, institutional investment solutions, and fiduciary services.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with boards and investment committees.
• Highly adaptable and able to navigate complex, relationship-driven sales processes.
• Strong analytical and presentation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and Advance New Institutional Business Opportunities: Source and manage prospective nonprofit, endowment, and foundation relationships through both internal referrals and external market development efforts.
• Conduct comprehensive prospect profiling, including governance structure, investment objectives, spending policy, and current OCIO or advisory model.
• Position Northern Trust’s OCIO and institutional investment capabilities in a way that aligns with each organization’s mission, financial priorities, and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Determine appropriate service model and introduce the most effective relationship and investment team based on client complexity and opportunity.
• Proactively engage prospective clients, board members, investment committees, and external advisors (e.g., consultants, attorneys, auditors) to build credibility and advance opportunities.
• Lead or support the full pursuit process, including: Coordinating and responding to RFPs and consultant-led searches, Developing tailored OCIO proposals and fee structures, Preparing and delivering presentations to investment committees and boards, Addressing due diligence inquiries and coordinating subject matter experts.
• Partner across banking, custody, and operations teams where relevant to deliver a cohesive institutional solution.
• Expand Existing Nonprofit & OCIO Relationships: Collaborate with Relationship Managers to identify opportunities to deepen existing institutional relationships, including OCIO conversions, asset consolidation, and expanded service offerings.
• Provide insights on client developments (e.g., governance changes, liquidity needs, strategic shifts) to support proactive engagement and cross-functional coordination.
• Institutional Expertise and Thought Leadership: Maintain deep knowledge of nonprofit and OCIO market trends, including investment governance best practices, fee models, asset allocation frameworks, and competitive landscape.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for internal partners on nonprofit client dynamics and OCIO positioning.
• Strategic Execution and Cross-Functional Leadership: Operate independently in managing complex, multi-stakeholder opportunities that are broad in scope and often involve cross-functional coordination.
• Balance hands-on execution of business development activities with strategic input into segment growth initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of institutional sales strategies, messaging, and pursuit tactics.
• Market Intelligence and Opportunity Sourcing: Utilize internal tools, industry networks, and market intelligence to identify new opportunities within the nonprofit and OCIO landscape.
• Monitor competitor positioning, consultant activity, and emerging trends to inform business development strategy.
• Partner Development and Internal Enablement: Support the development of internal partners’ understanding of nonprofit and OCIO opportunities.
• Contribute to internal reporting, pipeline tracking, and presentations to senior leadership on segment growth and opportunity trends.

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