Head of APAC Compliance

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 role

The Head of APAC Compliance and APAC Asset Servicing Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and strengthening the compliance framework across Northern Trust’s APAC region. Based in Singapore, this role provides strategic compliance leadership across jurisdictions, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and promoting a culture of integrity and ethical conduct.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with the CCEO and Business Unit CCO’s to develop and execute the compliance strategy for APAC Compliance and oversee the region in alignment with business objectives, regulatory expectations, and the firm’s risk appetite.
• Provide forward-looking compliance guidance on business initiatives, regulatory change, and emerging risk trends.
• Lead and enhance while partnering with key BU Compliance officers the end-to-end APAC compliance program, including regulatory compliance, conduct risk management, conduct adherence partnering with relevant peer leaders as required.
• Oversee the effectiveness of policies, controls, monitoring activities, and quality assurance across the APAC business.
• Support the APAC business in the identification of emerging compliance risks and ensure proper monitoring, testing, and mitigation strategies are in place.
• Integrate compliance activities in the region with the broader Enterprise Risk Management and Operational Risk frameworks.
• Serve in a dual capacity as APAC Head of Compliance and APAC Asset Servicing CCO, ensuring consistent oversight and alignment across business and legal entity compliance frameworks.
• Serve as the primary Compliance point of contact for regulators in region, partnering with Regulatory Affairs, overseeing the APAC Asset Servicing business.
• Lead interactions related to exams, inquiries, remediation activities, and regulatory reporting specific to the APAC business partnering with respective Business Unit CCO’s as applicable
• Partner with Compliance Senior Leadership Enterprise Compliance members to lead the implementation of the Compliance Program across the APAC legal entities.
• Advise business partners, including senior management, on compliance risks specific to the APAC business.
• Participate in relevant governance forums, as appropriate providing regular updates on compliance risk matters, inclusive of themes, regulatory developments, and significant incidents.
• Provide relevant subject matter expertise for training programs to ensure employees understand regulatory obligations and ethical standards.
• Drive strong matrix governance across APAC, ensuring alignment and accountability across Business Unit CCOs, legal entity officers, and regional compliance teams, regardless of formal reporting lines.
• Develop a high-performing, globally distributed team of Compliance professionals, where applicable. In alternative structures, drive outcomes through strong matrix leadership across regional and global stakeholders, ensuring accountability across jurisdictions.
• Promote collaboration, professional development, and operational excellence.
• Ensure strong succession planning and resource management.

The successful candidate will demonstrate some of the following skills:

• Foster a strong compliance risk management and accountability across the APAC Compliance organization.
• Champion behavioral expectations aligned with Northern Trust’s values and conduct risk principles.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff, fostering an environment that encourages employee participation, teamwork, and communication.
• Abide by all regulatory and corporate requirements.
• Promote Northern Trust’s One NT strategy of strengthening resiliency and managing risk, optimizing growth and driving productivity through the NT enablers of technology, talent and data.
• Act as a role model and demonstrate cultural behaviors of being relentlessly client centric. Constantly managing risk, respectfully candid, intentionally inclusive and always accountable.

Qualifications:

• Experience operating in both direct reporting and matrixed leadership environments, with the ability to scale impact across varying organizational structures.
• 10+ years of progressive Compliance experience.
• Deep knowledge of APAC regulatory frameworks.
• Strong understanding of compliance risk management, conduct risk, and financial crimes compliance.
• Proven ability to influence regulators, boards, and executive leadership.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical skills, and judgement.
• Strong leadership presence with outstanding communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required; JD, MBA, CAMS, or other advanced qualifications preferred.

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.