Associate Specialist

Senior Consultant, Operations Control - (101747)
Continue to grow your career with us!
We believe in empowering our partners with the resources, support and opportunities to Achieve Greater and reach their full potential.
As a Northern Trust Partner, you will continue to be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company that is committed to strengthening the communities we serve.
We recognize the value of inclusion and diversity in culture, in thought, and in experience, which is why Forbes ranked us the top employer for Diversity.

Role/ Department:
We are excited to announce we have a vacancy in our department and we strongly encourage any current employee who is interested in the role to apply.

Job Description:
The goal of Alternative Asset Services (AAS) Control team is to manage and reduce the department s residual risk profile while inculcating a strong risk culture. Reporting to the Global Head of AAS Control, the Sr. Consultant role will be providing Operations teams with consultative services from a Risk and Control perspective to ensure adherence to Bank policies and compliance with regulatory requirements, as well as performing independent review of issues and processes to assess the soundness of existing/new controls. The role will also work with business leadership, change management, Asset Servicing control, internal/external auditors, technology, Learning & Development, Risk and Compliance to lead and execute on strategic control initiatives impacting the department.
Our ideal candidate would be a self-motivated, results-driven and detail-oriented partner, with effective leadership skills, strong communication skills and inquisitive nature to challenge the status quo.

Major Duties:
Work with AAS Operations teams to provide consultative services from a Risk and Control perspective to ensure adherence to Bank policies and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Perform independent review of issues and processes to assess the soundness of existing/new controls.
Engage with internal and external auditors for effective and efficient coordination and closure of audit items. Be an effective liaison between operations, audit and operational risk partners by ensuring responses are complete, timely and well-documented.
Work effectively with change management, technology and business partners on project delivery by ensuring control elements are properly identified and incorporated in project plans - provide timely feedback and sign off for the control team.
Mentor and provide guidance and leadership to AAS partners and managers.
Promote an environment which encourages participation, teamwork and communication.
Ensure timely escalation and reporting of control deficiencies, incidents, breaches, and losses due to control failure.
Perform analysis of operations effectiveness utilizing KPI s, KRI s and other performance measurement tools.
Champion and reinforce a culture of good compliance and risk awareness by providing on-going feedback, training, conducting educational sessions with the department and partner with Learning & Development to create training materials.
Promote continuous improvement, best practices and drive meaningful change via systematic review of processes, workflow analysis, measurement and sound implementation strategies.

Knowledge/Skills:
Extensive knowledge of operational processes and/or experience in implementing and managing controls.
Knowledge of basic accounting practices in an asset management or custody setting is required.
Strong consultative and problem solving skills with the ability to rapidly understand the business context, process and synthesize data to identify and advise the department on risk mitigation or issue resolution.
Ability to roll up the sleeves to assess risk, identify and communicate solutions, and drive change.
Dynamic relationship building and partnership skills; a strong collaborator with experience leading initiatives across multiple groups and stakeholders.
Outstanding communication and influencing skills, both written and verbal, with demonstrated ability to develop materials and effectively present to and persuade leadership, Risk and Audit audiences and regulators.
Self-motivated, detail-oriented and desire to challenge the status quo.
Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
Strong situational awareness and decision-making capabilities.

Experience:

3 years as a Team Leader to move as a Section Manager currently at an Officer level.
24 months as a Consultant to move as a Senior Consultant. Movement within Senior Consultant and Section Manager is applicable if they have prior 36 months of people management experience.

Minimum 7+ years experience within financial services operations, including working in a fast-paced, client-focused, deadline-oriented environment. Knowledge of Alternative Asset Service products or prior experience in control operations is highly preferred.
Project management, audit and servicing experience.