NA Head of Middle Office Operations

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.

We are seeking a seasoned leader with extensive investment operations experience, broad functional expertise, and a focus on proactive strategic leadership to head NA Investment Operations Outsourcing (IOO) – NT’s middle office outsourcing unit. Reporting to the COO of Global Fund Services NA, this individual will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, operational management, and continuous improvement of IOO.    

Major Duties: 

Accountable for the business unit’s performance and profitability as compared to plan - develop, communicate and oversee an overall strategy to meet both the Business Unit's and Corporation's strategic plan.  

Develop key metrics required to ensure the IOO service runs to expectation, and to enable the services to be monitored effectively to facilitate continuous improvement through the identification of adverse trends coupled with action plans to remediate. 

Work effectively with Audit, Compliance and Risk to ensure SLA's , KPI's and procedures/controls are both effective and consistent across IOO globally. 

Ensure effective high quality delivery of ongoing change for existing clients. 

Proactively enforce, remediate and escalate risk issues. 

Enhance operational efficiency to support the firm and our clients’ business objectives  

 Assume accountability for financial and staffing resources, including developing and managing capital and expense budgets, liaising cross-function to improve efficiency, effectiveness and productivity.  

Manage multiple units or functions through the direct management of a group of managers. 

Knowledge: 

• In-depth investment operations knowledge is required. 

• Contextual knowledge of end-to-end investment operations and it’s role within the wider financial services industry is required. 

• Excellent written and interpersonal skills, with an ability to summarize complex matters effectively.  

• Highly flexible and adaptable to change. 

• Knowledge of business strategy development is necessary to provide long term planning and to manage the profitability/performance of a major business segment.  

• Leadership and organizational skills are required to direct the activities for the multiple units. 

Experience: 

• 15+ years of investment operations experience in an outsourced servicing company, or within a large asset management firm, or across multiple asset management firms. 

• Experience working with investment professionals, e.g., portfoli