AI Risk & Controls Lead
Chicago, IL - USA
Job Summary
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 worlds 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 24000 partners we serve the worlds most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Role Purpose
The AI Risk & Controls Lead is responsible for establishing and operationalising first-line-of-defence (1LOD) controls for AI across the enterprise.
This role ensures that AI solutions are designed deployed and managed in line with regulatory risk and audit expectations while enabling responsible innovation at scale.
Key Responsibilities
AI Governance & Control Framework
- Define and implement AI control frameworks aligned to enterprise risk standards
- Embed 1LOD controls across AI lifecycle (design build deploy monitor)
- Partner with Risk Compliance and Audit to ensure alignment with enterprise policies
AI Model Management & Oversight
- Oversee AI model inventory classification and lifecycle management
- Define and enforce model governance standards (documentation approvals controls)
- Ensure traceability of models datasets and decision logic
Documentation & Regulatory Readiness
- Own end-to-end AI documentation standards (models use cases controls)
- Ensure readiness for internal audit regulatory inspection and model validation
- Maintain audit-ready evidence repositories
Controls Monitoring & Reporting
- Define and track AI control metrics usage tracking and compliance indicators
- Monitor adherence to policies (ethical AI data usage model risk)
- Provide risk dashboards and reporting to leadership
AI Risk & Audit Partnership
- Act as primary 1LOD interface with 2LOD (Risk) and 3LOD (Audit)
- Support audits reviews and issue remediation
- Translate regulatory expectations into practical control execution
Enablement & Advisory
- Advise AI delivery teams (CoPilot Digital Co-Worker ACE etc.) on control requirements
- Embed controls into AI operating model and delivery pipelines
- Drive awareness of responsible AI practices across teams
Key Skills & Experience Required
- Deep experience in:
- AI governance / AI audit / model risk management
- Control design and operationalisation (1LOD)
- AI model lifecycle & documentation practices
- Experience with:
- Model inventories usage tracking and control frameworks
- Audit readiness and regulatory expectations
Desirable
- Financial services / regulated environment experience
- Understanding of:
- AI/ML concepts (not necessarily data scientist level)
- Regulatory landscape (EU AI Act SR 11-7 model risk frameworks)
Success Measures
- % of AI use cases onboarded into governance framework
- Audit findings / control gaps reduction
- Time to evidence production for audit
- Coverage of AI model inventory & tracking
- Adoption of AI control standards across platforms
Salary Range:
$137400 - 233600 USDSalary 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 Trusts 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 or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.
About Company
Discover Northern Trust’s trusted financial services for individuals, families, and institutions. Guided by service, expertise, and integrity since 1889, we offer wealth management, asset servicing, and investment solutions tailored to your goals.