Jobs › Northern Trust

Investment Associate

Northern Trust · Chicago, IL · $83,100–$141,300 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you caught a mistake before it reached a client.

What they are checking: Attention to detail backed by real checking habits, which protects client trust.

Describe how you manage many client relationships and requests without letting anything slip.

What they are checking: Organization and follow-up systems that work when supporting numerous relationships at once.

Tell me about a time you worked with a demanding colleague or client. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Professional resilience and service mindset with high-expectation people.

What would you do

A Portfolio Advisor needs review materials for three client meetings tomorrow, and you just learned about it. How do you get it done?

What they are checking: Calm prioritization and quality under time pressure, a regular part of supporting a wealth advisory team.

How would you explain to a client why their portfolio underperformed the S&P 500 last year?

What they are checking: Ability to discuss benchmarks, diversification and risk plainly without sounding defensive.

A client calls with an urgent request while your Portfolio Advisor is out. What do you do?

What they are checking: Judgment on what to handle directly, what to escalate, and how to keep the client informed.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd rebalance a client portfolio that has drifted from its target allocation.

What they are checking: Practical understanding of drift, tax impact, cash needs and client restrictions before placing trades.

What would you check before placing a trade for a high net worth client?

What they are checking: Habits around account restrictions, cash availability and accuracy that prevent costly trade errors.

How do tax considerations change investment decisions for a taxable high net worth account?

What they are checking: Awareness of tax-loss harvesting, gains management and asset location in wealth management.

What's a market development you've been following, and how might it affect our clients' portfolios?

What they are checking: Genuine interest in markets and ability to connect news to client impact.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northern Trust.

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 Summary: The Investment Associate serves as a key member of Northern Trust Asset Management's Global Institutional Client Group, partnering with Relationship Managers to deliver exceptional service and strategic support to institutional investors. The Investment Associate plays a critical role in fostering strong client relationships, coordinating cross-functional resources, and ensuring client requests, deliverables, and operational activities are executed efficiently and accurately. Key Responsibilities: • Partner with Relationship Managers to support a portfolio of institutional client relationships and new business development efforts. • Serve as a day-to-day contact for client inquiries, requests, and servicing needs. • Cultivate strong working relationships with client contacts and their service providers. Demonstrate ability to add value by anticipating client needs and proactively recommending appropriate solutions. • Participate in client meetings and due diligence reviews. • Coordinate meeting logistics, prepare materials, and ensure timely follow-up on action items. • Manage account maintenance activities, including onboarding, mandate changes, restructures, and account-related requests. • Lead coordination across investment, operations, reporting, compliance, legal, custody, and technology teams to resolve client matters. • Facilitate due diligence requests, consultant questionnaires, RFPs, and information requests from clients and prospects. • Partner with Relationship Managers to strength client relationships, identify growth opportunities, and maintain accurate documentation of client interactions and business development activities. Necessary Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, or a related field. 3 to 4 years of experience interacting with institutional investors or similar professional contacts. • Ability to listen purposefully and apply problem-solving skills to identify and quickly address client servicing issues. Must be capable of communicating confidently and effectively with sophisticated institutional investors and their investment consultants. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to synthesize complex information, manage multiple priorities, exercise judgment, and recognize risk. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and CRM platforms. • Series 7 and 63 licenses required and must be obtained within the first 90 days of employment. Salary Range: $83,100 - 141,300 USD 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.

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