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Chicago, Illinois, United States
Hybrid
Not Available
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.
About Northern Trust
Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.
Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Your Role
The SVP, AI Architect will serve as a strategic member of the Enterprise Architecture organization, providing expert guidance, thought leadership, and hands-on support across all areas of generative AI and machine learning within the enterprise. This role is responsible for shaping and influencing the organization’s AI strategy, ensuring that innovation is pursued with intention, security, and appropriate governance.
In this role, the AI Architect will drive controlled and sustainable AI adoption, enabling meaningful efficiency gains through intelligent automation, process optimization, and the integration of advanced AI capabilities into enterprise solutions. Success requires a deep and ongoing awareness of emerging AI technologies, evolving industry best practices, and the rapidly shifting landscape of generative AI.
The ideal candidate understands how AI can augment and streamline the developer experience, improve delivery velocity, and enhance solution quality. Equally important is the ability to bridge business objectives with technical architectures—translating complex concepts into actionable strategies and ensuring that AI solutions align with enterprise priorities, value drivers, and risk management frameworks.
Responsibilities
Provide input, guidance, and expertise on generative AI and machine learning within the enterprise
Drive controlled growth in AI initiatives and deliver efficiency gains through automation and AI adoption
Stay abreast of the latest AI developments and technologies
Advise on how AI can enhance the developer experience and consult with application development teams
Bridge the gap between business and technology by aligning technical solutions with business needs
Drive AI governance through Architecture Review Boards
Preferred Skills
Deep experience with generative AI, machine learning, and enterprise‑grade AI/ML systems in regulated industries.
Strong enterprise architecture background and ability to align AI solutions with business strategy.
Expertise in AI governance, regulatory frameworks, and implementing compliant risk controls.
Proven experience scaling AI adoption across cross‑functional teams.
Familiarity with AI architecture frameworks, MLOps best practices, and CI/CD for agentic applications.
Mastery of Azure AI Foundry and working knowledge of AWS generative AI tools.
Strong understanding of RAG applications and advanced prompt engineering techniques.
Knowledge of tradeoffs across leading model providers and alignment to enterprise constraints.
Experience tuning vector databases such as Postgres, Databricks, and Azure Search.
Ability to define measurable AI ROI and differentiate AI vs automation use cases.
Qualifications
Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in AI, Data Science, Computer Science, or related field.
Professional certifications in AI, machine learning, cloud architecture, or enterprise architecture.
Experience with compliance and regulatory aspects of AI in financial services.
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and experience with AI/ML frameworks.
This role is primarily not a hands-on role, though building PoC and demo applications should be within their skillset so the chosen candidate should have strong programming skills, likely in Python or any OOP language (Java, C/C++, C#/.NET, Rust, Go, etc.).
Model training or fine tuning experience
Holds an Advanced cloud certification in Azure
Experience with LangChain, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Databricks SDKs for ML
Salary Range:
$137,400 - 240,400 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 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.