Senior Audit Manager, AML & Financial Crime

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 Senior Audit Manager, AML & Financial Crime is a senior subject matter expert responsible for providing independent assurance over Northern Trust's financial crime risk management framework, including anti-money laundering, sanctions compliance, anti-bribery and corruption, fraud risk, and related financial crime disciplines.

The role requires deep technical expertise in financial crime risk management and a strong understanding of the risks inherent within financial services products, services, and operating models, as well as applicable global laws, regulations, and regulatory expectations.

Reporting to the Audit Director, AML & Financial Crime, the Senior Audit Manager is responsible for leading complex audit engagements, challenging risk assessments and audit coverage, reviewing audit workpapers and reports, and providing strategic insight to senior management and Board-level stakeholders. The role also plays a key leadership position in developing financial crime expertise across the Internal Audit function and influencing improvements to the firm's control environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Crime Audit Leadership & Oversight

- Lead the development and execution of audit coverage across AML, sanctions, fraud, anti-bribery and corruption, and other financial crime disciplines.
- Provide subject matter expertise and oversight on audit engagements, including audit planning, risk assessments, testing strategies, findings and reporting.
- Review and challenge audit scope, methodology, testing approaches and conclusions to ensure effective coverage of key financial crime risks.
- Assess the design and operating effectiveness of financial crime controls across business units and support functions.
- Identify emerging financial crime risks and advise Internal Audit leadership on coverage implications.
- Support the continuous enhancement of audit methodologies, practices and approaches relating to financial crime risk.

Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

- Draft and review reporting for senior management, Audit Committees and Boards, providing clear insight into key financial crime risks, themes and control issues.
- Engage with Executive Management to understand business changes, emerging risks and regulatory developments impacting the financial crime control environment.
- Represent Internal Audit in interactions with regulators and external stakeholders, articulating Audit's independent assessment of financial crime risk management.
- Present audit results, risk themes and recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums.

Strategic Leadership

- Contribute to the development of Internal Audit's financial crime audit strategy and risk-based audit plan.
- Lead and support special reviews, investigations and regulatory-related audit activities as required.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the Internal Audit function.
- Support talent development, succession planning and capability building across the audit team, with a particular focus on financial crime knowledge and expertise.

Required Experience

- Significant experience in financial crime risk management, Internal Audit, Compliance, Risk Management, Regulatory Supervision or a related discipline within the financial services sector.
- Extensive knowledge of AML, sanctions, fraud risk management, anti-bribery and corruption, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring and suspicious activity reporting frameworks.
- Experience auditing or overseeing financial crime programmes in complex, global financial institutions.
- Strong understanding of global financial crime regulations, regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
- Experience engaging with regulators and senior executive stakeholders on financial crime matters.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex audit engagements and influencing audit strategy.

Professional Qualifications

One or more relevant professional certifications preferred, such as:

- CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist)
- CGSS (Certified Global Sanctions Specialist)
- CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)
- CRCM (Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager)
- CPA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent professional accounting qualification

Technical Skills

- Strong risk assessment and control evaluation capabilities.
- Advanced audit and assurance methodology knowledge.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong report writing and executive-level communication abilities.
- Ability to assess regulatory change and determine implications for audit coverage and assurance activities.

Valuable Competencies

- Strategic thinker with the ability to identify emerging risks and broader business implications.
- Strong leadership and people development capabilities.
- Ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders constructively.
- Strong relationship management and collaboration skills.
- Effective decision-making and sound professional judgement.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and driving positive change.

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 [email protected] , or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.