Northern Trust
Senior Compliance Specialist - Digital Assets Lead
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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
We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded compliance leader to serve as the firm's Digital Assets Compliance Lead, providing enterprise-wide oversight of compliance risk associated with digital assets, blockchain technologies, and related emerging markets.
This senior leadership role will be responsible for shaping the firm's digital assets compliance strategy, governance framework, and risk management approach, while acting as a trusted advisor to senior business, risk, and executive stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in digital asset regulation, compliance risk management, and financial services, combined with the ability to influence decision-making, provide credible challenge, and support innovation within an appropriate risk and regulatory framework.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Compliance Leadership & Risk Assessment
- Lead the identification, assessment, and oversight of compliance risks arising from digital assets, blockchain technologies, tokenisation, stablecoins, digital custody solutions, smart contracts, and other emerging market developments.
- Provide compliance oversight and challenge for new products, services, platforms, partnerships, and strategic initiatives involving digital assets.
- Monitor and assess regulatory, market, and technological developments, advising senior stakeholders on emerging risks, opportunities, and potential business impacts.
- Support the development of risk appetite, governance standards, and control frameworks relating to digital asset activities across the enterprise.
Business Advisory & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior business, risk, legal, and technology stakeholders on digital asset-related initiatives and regulatory considerations.
- Provide independent and constructive challenge to strategic proposals, product developments, and business activities to ensure compliance risks are appropriately identified and managed.
- Partner with stakeholders to support innovation while maintaining alignment with regulatory obligations and the firm's risk management objectives.
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Governance & Framework Development
- Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of the firm's digital assets compliance framework.
- Ensure digital asset risks are appropriately embedded within governance structures, risk reporting, escalation processes, and product approval frameworks.
- Collaborate across Compliance, Risk, Legal, Technology, Operations, and Business teams to maintain an effective control environment.
Regulatory Engagement & Advisory
- Interpret and assess evolving regulatory requirements impacting digital assets and blockchain technologies across relevant jurisdictions.
- Provide subject matter expertise on key regulatory developments, supervisory expectations, and industry best practices.
- Represent Compliance in governance forums, risk committees, regulatory engagements, and strategic discussions relating to digital assets.
- Partner with stakeholders to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Monitoring, Reporting & Oversight
- Develop and oversee management information, reporting, and risk indicators relating to digital asset activities and emerging compliance risks.
- Provide regular reporting and insights to senior management, governance committees, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Ensure material compliance issues, control deficiencies, and emerging risks are identified, escalated, and addressed appropriately.
Technology & Emerging Risk Management
- Work closely with Technology, Cybersecurity, and Operational Risk teams to assess risks associated with blockchain infrastructure, digital custody arrangements, smart contracts, and third-party service providers.
- Support the evaluation of technology, operational resilience, cybersecurity, outsourcing, and regulatory risks within digital asset ecosystems.
- Promote a proactive and risk-focused approach to emerging technologies and market developments.
Skills & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Law, Risk Management, Economics, Business, Computer Science, or a related discipline. Advanced degree and/or professional qualifications preferred.
- 10-15+ years of experience in Compliance, Risk Management, Regulatory Affairs, Financial Services, or a related discipline, including significant exposure to digital assets and blockchain technologies.
- Demonstrated experience operating in a senior second line of defence (2LOD) compliance or risk management role within a regulated financial services environment.
- Deep understanding of digital asset ecosystems, including cryptocurrencies, blockchain networks, tokenisation, stablecoins, digital custody models, smart contracts, and emerging market developments.
- Strong knowledge of global regulatory frameworks and supervisory expectations impacting digital assets and financial markets.
- Experience advising senior executives and business leaders on regulatory, compliance, governance, and risk management matters.
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders, provide independent challenge, and support strategic decision-making in complex and evolving environments.
- Strong commercial awareness, judgement, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory and technical concepts into clear, practical business guidance.
- Experience working across multiple functions including Compliance, Risk, Legal, Technology, Cybersecurity, Operations, and Front Office teams.
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Key Competencies
- Strategic Leadership
- Regulatory & Compliance Expertise
- Risk Assessment & Governance
- Executive Stakeholder Management
- Influencing & Credible Challenge
- Commercial Judgement
- Communication & Presentation Skills
- Collaboration & Relationship Building
- Change Management
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Innovation & Emerging Technology Awareness
- Decision Making & Accountability
Work Authorization
Applicants must have the right to work in Ireland at the time of application and for the duration of employment.
Please note that Northern Trust is unable to provide employment permit sponsorship for this role. This includes Critical Skills Employment Permits, General Employment Permits, Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits, Stamp 1G permissions, and other employment permits under Irish immigration frameworks.
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.
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