Compensation Specialist, Global Head of Corporate Groups

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.

The Global Head of Corporate Groups is responsible for leading the design, implementation and execution of compensation programs and policies that support the business priorities and strategy. This role serves as a subject matter expert in base, variable compensation, job evaluations, market pricing and compensation analytics. The role ensures that all compensation structures support business objectives, are competitive to market, compliant with regulatory standards, and aligned with the firm’s total rewards philosophy. This role will work closely with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition and Senior Business Leaders and Global Total Rewards team.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as a trusted compensation advisor, providing guidance to HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and business leaders on complex compensation matters.
• Develops creative compensation solutions that align with business needs and regulatory requirements, including strategies to support talent acquisition and retention. Recommends practical alternatives to address complex compensation challenges.
• Guides HR partners and leaders on retention situations, off-cycle adjustments, internal moves, reorganizations, and other pay decisions, balancing external market data, internal equity, business priorities, affordability, and governance requirements.
• Monitors external compensation practices, labor market developments, and relevant regulatory changes; assess implications and recommend appropriate responses.
• Leads the design, implementation, and execution of innovative and competitive compensation strategies for the Corporate Groups, including incentive, and market analysis.
• Leads and supports the global annual compensation review cycle, including budget and allocation, compensation planning, data validation, market and pay-equity analysis, stakeholder communications, manager and HR enablement post-cycle review.
• Partners closely with senior business leadership, HR business partners and other primary stakeholders to align compensation programs with business goals and regulatory requirements.
• Develops executive-ready analyses and materials that convert complex compensation data into clear findings, alternatives, risks, and recommendations.
• Collaborates on compensation communications and training for HR teams and Managers and partners.

Skills/Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive compensation experience, preferably within the financial services industry.
• Strong compensation consulting and stakeholder management skills, with the judgment to develop, explain, and defend recommendations.

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills; able to work with complex data, identify material themes and risks, develop alternatives, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated business acumen and ability to connect compensation decisions to talent, workforce, financial, risk, and business considerations.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with HR partners, managers, and senior leaders.
• Strong project management and change management capabilities, including the ability to organize work across multiple stakeholders, priorities, countries, and workstreams.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills, with proficiency working with large datasets, analytical models, and executive-ready presentations.
• Demonstrated experience in job evaluation, job architecture, market pricing, benchmarking, salary structure design and development, pay for performance, short and long-term incentive compensation.
•  Ability to solve highly complex problems through quantitative and qualitative analysis in a team-based environment.
• Critical attention to detail - demonstrated ability to consistently deliver at a high level of accuracy.

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Salary Range:

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.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

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 MyHRHelp@ntrs.com, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.