Northern Trust

Chief of Staff

Northern Trust • $137K — $240K *
Chicago, IL 60629In-Person
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Reposted 1 week ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7-10 years of experience in financial services-related roles such as investment banking or management consulting
  • Ability to manage senior-level operating routines and navigate complex organization dynamics
  • Strong analytical skills to interpret data and generate actionable insights
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for executive-level audiences
  • Experience in preparing high-impact communications and internal events
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities
  • High emotional intelligence and discretion.

Responsibilities

  • Lead operating routines by setting agendas and managing action items
  • Ensure priorities are communicated and tracked for clarity
  • Participate in meetings to translate discussions into clear actions
  • Partner with Corporate Strategy to manage performance routines and create CEO-ready reports
  • Conduct ad-hoc analyses to improve performance metrics in collaboration with teams
  • Support the preparation for Board and Committee engagements
  • Coordinate logistics for Board meetings and communications.

Benefits

  • Retirement benefits including 401k and pension
  • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, and vision
  • Paid time off along with parental and caregiver leave
  • Life and accident insurance, and other voluntary benefits
  • Access to a comprehensive discretionary bonus program.
  • Flexible and collaborative work culture.
Full Job Description
The Chief of Staff for the Office of the CEO is responsible for ensuring the CEO’s time, priorities, and operating rhythm are aligned with the strategic needs of the organization. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, this role provides orchestration, structure, and clarity across executive priorities.
This role serves as a central point of coordination for the CAO on matters intersecting with the Office of the CEO—ensuring information flows efficiently, decisions move forward, follow‑ups are closed, and the Leadership Team operates with shared focus.
The Chief of Staff is also a key partner to Corporate Strategy, Corporate Communications, Finance, Legal, and the Corporate Secretary’s office to ensure that the CEO’s internal and external commitments are well prepared, high‑quality, and aligned with Northern Trust’s strategic direction.
Given Northern Trust’s global scale and regulatory environment, the role requires fluency in board governance, enterprise risk standards, and coordination across a matrixed operating model.

Major Duties
Operating Rhythm Management
·Lead Northern Trust’s operating routines, including agenda setting, materials preparation, and action‑item management.
·Ensure topics are appropriately prioritized and that decisions and follow‑ups are clearly communicated and tracked to completion.
·Participate in meetings, as required, to understand strategic context and translate discussions into clear follow‑up actions.
Strategic Performance Management
·Partner with Corporate Strategy to manage Quarterly Operating Reviews (QORs) and enterprise performance routines, synthesizing insights into CEO‑ready narratives, metrics, and dashboards that clearly reflect performance against strategic priorities.
·Lead ad‑hoc analyses to refine performance metrics, challenge existing assumptions, and ensure measures are fit for purpose through cross‑team collaboration.
·Work across teams to ensure metrics are appropriately cascaded into Board and Committee materials and performance scorecards.
·Anticipate issues, remove obstacles, and create the conditions for the Leadership Team to operate with clarity and forward momentum.
Communication and Relationship Management
·Partner with the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and Head of Corporate Strategy to shape and deliver CEO‑driven internal communications, including town halls, EVP forums, and partner messages.
·Ensure the CEO is fully prepared for each engagement with high‑quality talking points, decks, and briefing materials, supplementing with data and analysis as needed.
·Support select CEO external engagements by preparing follow‑up correspondence.
Board Operations
·Partner with the Chief Administrative Office and Corporate Secretary’s office to prepare for Board and Committee cycles.
·Coordinate all aspects of Board engagement logistics, including agenda sequencing, visit itineraries, director communications, seating plans, and event coordination.

Role Expectations & Working Style
Success in this role requires a high‑energy, highly adaptive operator who thrives in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment. The Chief of Staff must combine sound judgment with pace, discretion, and a strong service orientation.
·Demonstrates a strong bias for action, moving work forward with urgency while maintaining high standards of quality and judgment.
·Learns quickly and is comfortable rapidly coming up the curve on complex, unfamiliar topics across strategy, finance, risk, regulation, and operations.
·Able to toggle seamlessly between strategic thinking and tactical execution, often across multiple priorities in the same day.
·Brings a service‑focused mindset, along with the resilience and discretion essential to the role.

·Comfortable operating in a highly matrixed organization and navigating ambiguity with composure and sound judgment.

·Expected to be in the office 5 days per week, working in close proximity to the CEO, CAO, and Leadership Team to enable real‑time coordination and decision‑making.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required
·7–10 years of experience in financial services (e.g., investment banking), management consulting, corporate strategy, or a comparable executive‑level environment.
·Demonstrated ability to manage senior‑level operating routines, navigate complex organizational dynamics, and drive cross‑functional execution at scale.
·Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, generate insights, and produce decision‑ready recommendations.
·Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft concise, compelling narratives for CEO, Board, and enterprise audiences.
·Experience preparing high‑impact executive communications and large‑scale internal events; ability to translate complex topics into clear messages.
·Proven ability to manage multiple, competing priorities under tight deadlines and operate effectively amid changing circumstances.
·High emotional intelligence, discretion, and the ability to influence without authority.
·Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Salary Range:

$137,400 - $240,400

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. 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.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust is a global leader in delivering innovative investment management, asset and fund administration, and fiduciary and banking solutions to corporations, institutions, and affluent individuals. They have evolved with the changing needs of their clients and their world.

Northern Trust Careers

Joining Northern Trust means becoming part of a global financial services institution that is dedicated to providing expert guidance and innovative solutions to its clients. At Northern Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of leadership, diversity, and innovation, which makes us a premier destination for career growth in the financial industry.

Work You’ll Do

At Northern Trust, you will collaborate with some of the most talented professionals in the financial sector. Our team is committed to excellence and equipped with a diverse range of skills that contribute to our dynamic environment. Here, you will have the opportunity to lead projects that transform our services and drive significant value for our clients across the globe.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you are starting your career or looking to make a significant impact in the financial industry, Northern Trust offers a variety of job opportunities and internships that will help you achieve your professional goals. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, our company is actively hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven to excel.

Innovative Work

Northern Trust is at the forefront of financial innovation. Our employees are encouraged to think creatively and leverage cutting-edge technologies to solve complex problems. By joining our team, you will work on pioneering solutions that redefine the standards of financial services.

Be Part of a Great Team

Our team at Northern Trust is more than just a group of employees – we are a community. We value collaboration, and our culture is built on mutual respect and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Working with us, you will experience a supportive network that is passionate about sharing knowledge and ideas.

Future-Proof Your Career

Northern Trust is dedicated to your professional development. We offer comprehensive benefits, diversity training, and numerous resources to help you grow your career. With our support, you can expand your skills, gain valuable experience, and achieve professional certifications that will enhance your career trajectory.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team

Discover the perfect role for you at Northern Trust by exploring our current job openings that match your skills and interests. We are looking for professionals who are solution-driven and eager to contribute to our legacy of financial excellence.

Keep Up to Date

Stay informed with the latest career tips, industry insights, and professional growth opportunities—all available through our careers blog. At Northern Trust, we ensure that our team members are always ahead in the industry.

Job Alert Emails

Customize your experience by subscribing to job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences. At Northern Trust, exciting and rewarding opportunities are always on the horizon, and we are eager to see where your talents can take us. Join Northern Trust today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and a diverse and inclusive workplace. Here, every position is a chance to contribute to something bigger and to turn your job into a meaningful career.
Learn more about Northern Trust
Size
21,100 employees
Market Cap
$18.1 billion
Industry
Finance & Insurance
Net Income
$1.2 billion
Founded
1889
5 Year Trend
+4.9%
Revenue
$6.1 billion
NASDAQ
NTRS
* Ladders Estimates

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