About Northern Trust
As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.
Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.
With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Role Overview
- Department: Operational Risk Management / Digital Asset Risk / Asset Servicing Risk Management
- Reports To: Head of Non-Financial Risk or Business Unit Chief Risk Officer
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking risk professional to lead and enhance risk oversight across Digital Assets and blockchain-based technologies. This role will be responsible for identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating risks associated with distributed ledger technologies (DLT), digital asset products, tokenisation initiatives, smart contracts, custody solutions, and emerging blockchain ecosystems.
The successful candidate will bring a strong combination of risk management expertise, regulatory knowledge, and a deep understanding of blockchain technology, enabling effective oversight of a rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.
Key Responsibilities
Risk Identification & Assessment
- Assess risks associated with blockchain protocols, digital asset infrastructure, custody solutions, smart contracts, tokenisation platforms, and emerging technologies.
- Conduct risk reviews of new digital asset products, services, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.
- Monitor developments across digital assets, DeFi, stablecoins, tokenised securities, and related market innovations.
Risk Framework & Governance
- Support the development and ongoing enhancement of the firm's Digital Asset Risk Management Framework.
- Ensure digital asset risks are appropriately integrated into enterprise risk management processes, taxonomies, and reporting structures.
- Partner closely with business, technology, legal, compliance, and operational teams to maintain alignment with risk appetite and governance standards.
Regulatory Risk & Compliance
- Monitor evolving regulatory developments impacting digital assets and blockchain technology.
- Provide risk guidance on applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards, and emerging supervisory expectations.
- Collaborate with Legal and Compliance partners to support regulatory readiness and risk assessments.
Monitoring, Reporting & Oversight
- Develop and maintain key risk indicators (KRIs), reporting metrics, and management information relating to digital asset activities.
- Prepare risk reporting and insights for senior management, risk committees, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Escalate emerging risks and control concerns in a timely manner.
Technology & Operational Risk
- Assess technology, cyber, operational resilience, and third-party risks associated with blockchain platforms and digital asset operating models.
- Partner with Information Security, Technology Risk, and Infrastructure teams to evaluate controls relating to cryptographic key management, blockchain node operations, smart contract governance, and digital custody solutions.
Skills & Experience
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Risk Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
- Typically 7-10+ years of experience within Risk Management, Operational Risk, Technology Risk, Digital Assets, FinTech, Financial Services, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of blockchain technologies, distributed ledger systems, digital asset ecosystems, smart contracts, tokenisation, custody solutions, and emerging market developments.
- Experience assessing operational, technology, cyber, third-party, and regulatory risks within complex financial services environments.
- Knowledge of global regulatory frameworks and supervisory expectations relating to digital assets and blockchain technologies.
- Familiarity with enterprise risk management frameworks, governance processes, controls frameworks, and risk assessment methodologies.
- Ability to translate complex technical and digital asset risks into clear business-focused recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Professional certifications such as FRM, CRISC, CISA, CBSP, or other relevant risk, technology, cybersecurity, or blockchain qualifications would be advantageous.
This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the firm's approach to Digital Asset Risk Management while supporting the safe and sustainable adoption of blockchain-enabled technologies across the organisation.
Work Authorization
Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of application and for the duration of employment.
Please note that Northern Trust is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. This includes Skilled Worker visas, Global Business Mobility routes, Graduate visas, Youth Mobility Scheme, High Potential Individual visas, Scale-up Worker visas, Temporary Worker visas, and other employer-sponsored visa categories.
Working with Us
As a Northern Trust partner, you will 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 committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.
Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.
Reasonable Accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [email protected], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Risk Management, Computer Science, IT, or related discipline.
- 7-10+ years of experience in Risk Management, Operational Risk, Technology Risk, Digital Assets, FinTech, or Financial Services.
- Strong understanding of blockchain technologies, distributed ledger systems, smart contracts, tokenisation, custody solutions, and digital asset ecosystems.
- Experience assessing operational, technology, cyber, third-party, and regulatory risks in complex financial services environments.
- Knowledge of global regulatory frameworks and supervisory expectations related to digital assets and blockchain.
- Familiarity with enterprise risk management frameworks, governance processes, controls frameworks, and risk assessment methodologies.
- Ability to translate complex technical and digital asset risks into clear business-focused recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Right to work in the United Kingdom without sponsorship.
- Professional certifications such as FRM, CRISC, CISA, CBSP or other relevant risk/technology/cybersecurity/blockchain qualifications.
Northern Trust Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northern Trust and has not been reviewed or approved by Northern Trust.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match alongside an employer‑funded defined‑benefit pension is highlighted in employer‑verified materials and filings, setting the retirement package apart from many private employers.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO is portrayed as solid overall, and two paid volunteer days per year are clearly documented across corporate materials.
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Parental & Family Support — Company sources and postings reference paid parental and caregiver leave and recent enhancements to parental benefits, indicating meaningful family support within the package.
Northern Trust Insights
What We Do
As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing and investment solutions, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise and integrity. A globally recognized Fortune 500 Company in continuous operation since 1889, we’ve built a legacy of empowering clients to reach their goals with confidence. Since our roots as a trust bank, we’ve grown to a global presence with more than 24,000 employees in more than 20 countries and across six core business units: Wealth Management Asset Management Asset Servicing Technology Corporate Functions Enterprise Operations Join a Team That’s Achieving Greater At Northern Trust, we refer to our employees as partners – with good reason. We understand that relationships are the key to our success. Here you’ll join a diverse and inclusive team of innovators with the drive to challenge the way things have always been done. Instead of choosing between a dynamic career and work-life balance, enjoy working with a team that supports your goals in the office and at home. We’ll help you get where you want to go without sacrificing what matters most to you. Delivering value and adhering to our enduring principles What are enduring principles? Since our founding, they have guided our strategy and success. Thanks to the dedication of our partners, Northern Trust continues to thrive by adhering to three enduring principles: service, expertise and integrity . What does this mean? Service Northern Trust has a relentless drive to provide exceptional service to our clients, our partners and our communities. We set new standards and go above and beyond in our commitment to delivering greater results. Expertise Expertise is at the core of who we are. We focus sharply on what we do well. From expanding our capabilities, to hiring talented professionals to developing innovative solutions, our expertise is why we continue to be a trusted advisor for generations of families and institutions. Integrity Operating with uncompromising ethics is central to Northern Trust’s heritage. As a result, our clients, partners and communities know they can rely on us. For more than 130 years, our integrity has been our guide – and that will never change.
Why Work With Us
At Northern Trust, we go further because we go together. We embrace flexibility, encourage balance, and prioritize inclusion at all levels, working together to keep you connected. We are committed to our employees—all 24,000 of them. Whether this is a first step or a bold new leap in your career, we’re here to help you move forward.
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