Talent Management Specialist

Northern Trust • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This senior individual contributor and program-lead role serves as a strategic extension of the Talent Management leadership agenda. The role is accountable for end to end design, execution, and evolution of enterprise talent and succession planning and performance management practices. Acting as a day to day operational and thought partner to the Talent Management Leader, this role translates strategic intent into detailed approaches, manages execution across stakeholders and systems, and provides leadership and direction to team members delivering the work. This role blends deep talent management expertise with foundational consulting skills—including critical thinking, business writing, stakeholder management, and results orientation—to advance enterprise talent outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, I/O Psychology, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in talent management, organizational effectiveness, or human performance, with demonstrated ownership of enterprise scale programs or transformations.
• Strong consulting skillset, including the ability to develop and articulate a clear SME point of view, apply critical thinking, and influence decisions through structured analysis and business storytelling.
• Exceptional business writing and presentation skills, with experience communicating complex topics through executive ready decks and facilitation.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, translating loosely defined problems and competing inputs into clear recommendations and outcomes.
• Proven stakeholder management skills, including influencing senior leaders and cross functional partners without formal authority.
• Results oriented mindset with a track record of driving tangible outcomes, simplifying complexity, and delivering high quality solutions.
• Strong people leadership skills, including setting direction, enabling execution, and coaching others to deliver at a high standard.
• Experience partnering with HR technology platforms (e.g., Workday) and integrating system design with talent practices.
• Comfort balancing strategic thinking with hands on execution—equally adept at shaping the approach and getting into the details.
• 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).

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the end to end approach, delivery, and continuous evolution of enterprise talent and succession planning and performance management practices, from strategy through execution and adoption.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to Talent Management leadership, contributing informed points of view, analysis, and recommendations to shape strategy, priorities, and future state direction.
• Translate strategic direction into detailed, executable plans—defining frameworks, tools, sequencing, and operating guidance that enable consistent, high quality execution.
• Provide day to day leadership, direction, and prioritization for team members and stakeholders supporting talent and performance programs, enabling focused execution and skill development.
• Act as a subject matter expert on talent management practices, offering clear perspectives, guidance, and decision support to HR partners, Talent Advisors, and business stakeholders.
• Prepare, communicate, and facilitate through compelling written materials and decks that clarify intent, surface trade offs, and drive alignment and decisions.
• Lead complex, cross functional stakeholder engagement, building trust, managing competing inputs, and sustaining momentum without formal authority.
• Navigate ambiguity and evolving requirements by applying sound judgment, critical thinking, and a bias for action—bringing structure and progress where answers are not predefined.
• Partner closely with HR Technology and Workday teams to ensure solutions are user centered, operationally sound, and supported by effective change management.
• Establish success measures, monitor outcomes, and apply insights to continuously improve program effectiveness, simplicity, and impact.
• Lead change and adoption efforts, ensuring leaders and HR partners understand not just what to do, but why it matters and how to apply practices effectively.

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