The Associate Director role is responsible for providing oversight of a portion of the Asset Servicing (AS) North America audit team and audit plan, reporting to the AS North America Audit Director. This role will lead a team of auditors primarily based in Chicago and will work closely with the AS audit team to facilitate audit plan coordination and resourcing needs.
The successful candidate will interact and build relationships with senior leaders in Northern Trust's Asset Servicing North America business as it supports partners in Compliance, Legal and control functions. The role will also have exposure to the various governance forums operating in the North America region.
In addition, the successful candidate will be responsible for inputting into the AS Audit plan as well as overseeing the execution of the audit plan including, but not limited to, ensuring work paper quality, thoroughness, accuracy, and timeliness. The Associate Director may also recommend or develop operational efficiencies and/or produce and deliver presentations as part of ongoing department initiatives.
Principal Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
Demonstrate strong initiative, project management and interpersonal skills, sound decision-making, intuitive thinking, political awareness, and sensitivity to cultural diversity
Plan, oversee, and direct the activities of the AS audit team to achieve the Corporation's objectives, and for timely reporting on Audit Services matters to management and appropriate governance bodies
Oversee the professional development and performance management processes, including recruiting staff, developing talent, building an effective team, and resource optimization and alignment
Establish strong working relationships and communications with key stakeholders
Provide comprehensive consulting and leadership to team members and partners
Maintain active involvement with executive and oversight committees, including as a member of such as deemed appropriate
Operational
Ensure all deliverables are issued accurately, completely, and timely to stakeholders
Leverage data analytics to drive complete coverage of risks and associated testing
Ensure timely delivery of comprehensive internal audit issue validation
Synthesize and communicate audit results, deliverables, and project status in clear, succinct, and easy-to-understand terms
Deliver a risk-based audit plan that validates Northern Trust's control environment or identifies developmental opportunities related to Northern Trust policies, global or local regulations, or industry best practices
Evolve the Audit Plan by identifying new coverage areas and challenging scoping of auditable entities
Produce audit reports that are clear and concise
Ensure audit work including workpaper documentation, findings and recommendations, and the final report adhere to Corporate/Department Policies and Standards
Communicate and support a point of view to senior management/stakeholders for challenge and discussion
Maintain familiarization and technical expertise in financial services industry as well as line of business, including organizational structure, personnel, activities and products, new product development, financial performance and risk and problem areas
Assist in preparation of presentations to the Board, Audit Committee and company management
Required Skills
Bachelor's degree is required; advanced degree (e.g., MBA, JD) preferred
Financial services and internal audit subject matter expertise are preferred
Professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CFP, CTFA, CIA, CFIRS) are desired, but not required.
Required Competencies
Excellent written and oral communication, approachable style, and well-developed negotiation and listening skills
Ability to adapt and react timely in a changing and dynamic work environment, with tight deadlines and variable workloads
Able to lead and motivate teams of varying skill and knowledge levels
Strong critical thinking, analytic, leadership and organizational skills
Ability to proactively assess issues, identify solutions and problem solve
Ability to develop relationships with diverse groups and various levels of personnel
Ability to work autonomously and make sound business judgments in resolving routine and more complex issues
Please note that this role may require the successful candidate to travel to other NT locations as required.