Job Description

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.

Continue to Learn, Grow and Evolve

No matter what greater means to you, we can help you find it. We believe in empowering our partners with the resources, support, and opportunities to achieve greater and reach their full potential. A strong focus on individual career development and growth is just one way we help you reach your goals.

Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to strengthening the communities in which we live and work.

Who We Are

We are committed to growing and supporting a diverse team, with a collaborative environment that provides educational and career growth opportunities.

Director, Finance Technology

As a Director, Finance Technology, you will be responsible for providing leadership, guidance, and direction in developing Northern Trust’s Finance Technology capabilities and platforms and accountable operational excellence of core Finance technology platforms that support Northern Trust’s financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and business decision‑making.

The role involves working closely with Finance leadership, Regulatory stakeholders, and Technology teams across the enterprise to modernize and operate critical Finance platforms.

Key areas of responsibility include Financial Planning & Forecasting, Accounting Rules Engine (ARE), Subledger and General Ledger platforms, Regulatory Reporting (including FR2052a), and Finance Data & Controls enablement. In this role, you will ensure strong alignment between Finance strategy and technology execution, while driving platform modernization, delivery excellence, and high‑performing teams.

Scope of Accountability

Primary Platforms & Capabilities

• Financial Planning & Forecasting platforms
• Accounting Rules Engine (ARE) and subledger capabilities
• General Ledger integrations and close enablement
• Regulatory and liquidity reporting platforms (including FR2052a)
• Finance data lineage, controls, and reconciliation enablement

Stakeholder Coverage

• Finance (Controller, CFO org, Planning & Treasury)
• Risk & Regulatory partners
• Corporate Technology & Data platforms
• External vendors and strategic partners

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Transformation

• Define and execute the Finance Technology strategy and roadmap, aligned to Finance modernization and regulatory priorities.
• Lead enterprise‑scale Finance transformation initiatives, including accounting engine modernization, platform consolidation, and data standardization.

Delivery & Platform Ownership

• Own end‑to‑end delivery, stability, and evolution of Finance platforms across Planning, ARE, GL, and Regulatory Reporting.
• Ensure platforms meet regulatory, audit, SOX, and operational resilience expectations, with strong controls and traceability.

Business Partnership

• Partner with Finance and Treasury leadership to translate business and regulatory requirements into scalable technology solutions.
• Provide clear executive‑level visibility into risks, dependencies, and delivery outcomes.

Engineering & Operating Model

• Lead and develop high‑performing global engineering and product teams.
• Drive disciplined execution across Agile delivery, release management, and incident response.
• Reduce key‑person risk and improve sustainability through talent development and succession planning.

Vendor & Financial Management

• Govern strategic vendors and platform providers, ensuring delivery quality, cost discipline, and roadmap alignment.
• Optimize technology spend while improving platform reliability and capability depth.

Success Measures

• Reliable, well‑controlled Finance and Regulatory reporting outcomes
• Measurable progress in Finance platform modernization
• Improved data quality, reconciliation, and audit confidence
• Predictable delivery and reduced operational risk
• Strong leadership bench and sustainable global operating model

Required Experience & Profile

• Senior technology leadership experience within Finance, Accounting, or Regulatory platforms in a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong technical foundation with prior hands‑on engineering or architecture experience.
• Deep understanding of finance data flows, accounting processes, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi‑stakeholder transformation programs.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Strong leadership experience across technology, people, and processes within Finance and Accounting domains.
• Hands‑on experience delivering Finance technology solutions supporting:
  • Financial Planning & Forecasting
  • Accounting Rules Engines / Subledger platforms
  • General Ledger integrations
  • Regulatory and liquidity reporting (e.g., FR2052a)
• Deep understanding of finance and accounting data flows, controls, reconciliation, and data lineage.
• Proven experience modernizing or operating large‑scale Finance platforms in a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong technical background with hands‑on development, architecture, or platform engineering experience earlier in career.
• Expertise in vendor management and strategic partnerships, including delivery governance and cost management.
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and mature global technology teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior Finance, Risk, and Technology stakeholders.

Education

A College or University degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Finance Systems, or equivalent relevant work experience is required.

Salary Range:

$164,600 - 288,000 USD

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.

Working with Us:

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.

Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.

We’d love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world’s most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater

Reasonable accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com

We hope you’re excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.

Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater.