Specialist, Digital Transformation

Northern Trust•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Northern Trust Asset Management (NTAM), a $1.6 trillion investment management firm, is seeking a senior leader to define and deliver its operational digital strategy across platforms, systems, and processes. The Specialist, Digital Transformation owns strategic technology roadmaps and oversees execution to improve scale, efficiency, and client outcomes. The role sets vision, prioritizes delivery, drives adoption, and ensures measurable business impact while collaborating across the organization. The position leads a portfolio of digital platforms and works across business, investment, operations, data, and technology teams. It evaluates build-versus-buy options, oversees vendor relationships and delivery budgets, and guides ideas and enhancements through enterprise governance. The role also drives adoption of digital products and AI capabilities, measures outcomes, and partners with enterprise teams to ensure resilient, scalable, and governed data and technology architecture.

Requirements

10 or more years of experience building and scaling digital product capabilities in financial services; investment management experience is preferred.
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Engineering, Computer Science, or another relevant discipline.
Solid understanding of investment management and financial technology systems within a large asset manager, consulting firm, or fintech vendor.
Demonstrated success delivering enterprise-scale digital and AI-driven platforms in complex, matrixed environments.
Strong understanding of investment management platforms, data, cloud, and AI technologies.
Expertise in modern digital platform management, agile delivery, and commercialization.
Ability to influence leadership and secure alignment through clear business cases and data-driven storytelling.
Strong commercial acumen and a track record of delivering successful digital products in startup environments and matrixed cultures.
Exceptional analytical and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity.
Global mindset and sensitivity to cultural and organizational differences.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future employment-based visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

MBA.
Experience with investment management platforms, preferably a blend of vendor-provided and in-house-developed applications.
Investment management experience.

Responsibilities

Define and execute a multi-year operational digital delivery strategy and roadmap aligned with NTAM business priorities.
Set a vision, build consensus and alignment, and deliver digital platforms.
Lead prioritization, delivery, and lifecycle management of digital platforms using agile and product management practices.
Work across operational, investment, and business verticals to plan for and influence dependent platforms and processes.
Assess build-versus-buy decisions and develop business cases aligned with priorities and enterprise guardrails.
Partner with business, data, operations, and technology teams to translate business needs into scalable solutions.
Lead vendor evaluations and negotiations in accordance with Enterprise Procurement standards and guidelines.
Oversee digital delivery budgets and ensure value delivery against product roadmaps.
Guide new product ideas and enhancements through enterprise governance processes.
Drive adoption of digital products and AI capabilities through value propositions, engagement metrics, and continuous feedback.
Establish and track KPIs to measure investment value, including revenue growth, cost optimization, and improved client experience.
Partner with enterprise teams to ensure platforms use resilient, scalable, and governed data and technology architecture.

Benefits

Retirement benefits, including 401(k) and pension.
Health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, and disability coverage.
Paid time off.
Parental and caregiver leave.
Life and accident insurance.
Other voluntary and well-being benefits.
Discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.
Flexible and collaborative work culture.
Movement within the organization is encouraged, and senior leaders are accessible.
Inclusive workplace and support for the communities served.