Jobs › Northern Trust

Senior Investment Associate

Northern Trust · Lake Forest, IL · $74,200–$126,200 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 31, 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

Walk me through how you prepare materials for a client review meeting. What do you check before it goes to the Portfolio Advisor?

What they are checking: Whether they own meeting prep fully and catch errors before an advisor sits in front of a client.

Tell me about a time you made a recommendation to your manager before being asked. What happened?

What they are checking: Whether they think ahead and add judgment, not just complete assigned tasks.

How do you help a team meet risk and compliance requirements in day-to-day work?

What they are checking: Whether they treat compliance as part of the job and work carefully to prevent losses.

What would you need to learn to start contributing in client meetings, not just preparing for them?

What they are checking: Whether they are ready to grow toward a client-facing advisor role and know their own gaps.

What would you do

You notice a client portfolio has drifted well outside its target allocation. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they spot risk early and bring it to the advisor with a suggested fix.

A trade was entered for the wrong account. You catch it after it settles. Walk me through what you do.

What they are checking: Whether they escalate errors immediately and follow process rather than trying to quietly fix them.

How do you manage requests from several Portfolio Advisors who all think their work is the priority?

What they are checking: Whether they can juggle competing demands and communicate tradeoffs openly.

About the work

How would you set up a new client account so nothing gets missed later?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that clean setup prevents trading, reporting and compliance problems down the line.

What is goals-driven wealth management to you, and how would you use a planning tool to show a client whether they are on track?

What they are checking: Whether they can run planning analysis themselves and explain what the output really means.

Explain the difference between time-weighted and dollar-weighted returns and when a client would care.

What they are checking: Whether they understand performance reporting well enough to answer client questions in a review.

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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. The Investment Associate will be r esponsible for all administrative aspects of a portfolio. This includes file set up on client accounts, ordering reports, prepares all material for client review meetings. Works independently to support the investment management clients and Portfolio Advisors. Formulates recommendations proactively to support the Portfolio Advisors. Demonstrates mastery knowledge of Goals Driven Wealth Management (GDWM) tool and can run it and begin to contribute to client meetings. Responsible for supporting risk and compliance requirements for the team, including working diligently to mitigate losses due to error and being mindful of possible contingencies. Coordinating and/or supporting investment or client service teams’ monthly Compliance (REV) and New Account Review processes and documentation. Key responsibilities include: 1. Ensures that portfolio materials are prepared for account review meetings with clients. Retrieves reports, desired by portfolio managers or requested by clients, off the EDS, PIMS, IMS, and PAS systems. 2. Sets-up files with account documentation for existing or new clients (i.e., involving automatic payment, pledging securities, address changes, statement addresses, investment guidelines, fees, etc.). 3. Orders reports for portfolio managers or clients as requested. 4. Communicates with clients and portfolio managers on client requests. (Ensures that portfolio managers follow-up with client requests). 5. Interacts with partners, primarily administratively, on a daily basis to receive and communicate information on all aspects of a client relationship or portfolio. 6. Works with the tax area to research discrepancies and oversee adjustments on client accounts regarding tax cost issues. 7. Responds to client inquiries for account information or to initiate transactions requested by the client (i.e., re-register gift stock, remit proceeds, sell gifts, etc.). 8. Follows-up with client on inquiries via the telephone or written correspondence. 9. Processes client cash transfer requests. Determines if funds are available in the investment account. Contacts Investment Advisor if cash needs to be raised. 10. Processes fund trades via CIT or all-in-one bank applications by established deadlines. 11. Reviews and analyzes fee worksheets to ensure that fees are calculated appropriately. 12. Adheres to National Investment Guidelines, feedback from the REV peer review process, and observes sound risk management practices. 13. Begins to proactively make recommendations to support the Investment Advisors. 14. Begins to have a role in client meetings. 15. Demonstrates mastery knowledge of the GDWM tool and can run it in client meetings. 16. Solves problems in straightforward situations 17. Analyzes possible solutions using technical experience and judgment and precedents 18. Impacts quality of own work and the work of others on the team 19. Works within guidelines and policies The successful candidate will have: • Knowledge of investment products, services, and terminology, usually obtained through on the job training, are needed to prepare material for client meetings. • Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills are needed to meet meeting deadlines and solve client or administrative problems. • Coursework completion towards obtaining a CFA or CFP designation. • Requires expanded conceptual knowledge in own job discipline. • Understands key business drivers; uses this understanding to accomplish own work. • Explains complex information to others in straightforward situations. • 3+ years of experience within the financial services industry. • Provides informal guidance to new team members Salary Range: $74,200 - 126,200 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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