Director, Audit Services

The Audit Director role is a key senior position within the global Audit Services organization, responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight of the Asset Servicing (AS) North America audit team, whose primary focus is to independently assess the control environment supporting the Asset Servicing product suite throughout North America. 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 Audit 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

• Provide strategic thinking, thought leadership, and guidance on identifying key risks and assessing the design and operating effectiveness of the controls supporting the Asset Servicing business
• 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
• Leverage a strong peer network and tap the industry for knowledge and intelligence to identify leading practices
• 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 globally
• 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
• During audit engagements, oversee the work of the Audit Managers, set priorities and monitor and review activity
• 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

#LI-hybrid

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

• Demonstrate Director-level experience in designing and delivering high quality, high value internal audit programs for large businesses or regulated environments
• Excellent written and oral communication, approachable style, and well-developed negotiation and listening skills
• Strong understanding of the Asset Servicing industry is preferred
• 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
• Experience presenting at board level
• 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.