Investment Associate - Global Family Office (GFO)

Investment Associate

The Investment Associate supports the delivery of investment advice and exceptional service to sophisticated family offices, trusts, foundations, and other complex client relationships. As part of a collaborative investment advisory team, the Investment Associate contributes to client administration, portfolio analysis and implementation, investment research, and other firm-wide activities.

The role provides exposure to asset allocation, portfolio construction, public and private investments, manager research, performance evaluation, and the needs of multigenerational families. The Associate will develop an understanding of each client's objectives and portfolio strategy while building the technical capabilities and judgment required to become a trusted investment professional.

Success requires both technical aptitude and strong interpersonal qualities. We seek individuals who bring curiosity, accountability, empathy, integrity, and a genuine commitment to excellence.

Core Responsibilities

Client and Portfolio Advisor Support

• Partner with portfolio advisors to prepare for client meetings, portfolio reviews, and investment discussions.
• Produce accurate and thoughtful performance, asset allocation, cash flow, exposure, and investment materials.
• Develop an understanding of client objectives, strategic targets, liquidity needs, investment guidelines, risk tolerance, and broader circumstances.
• Respond to client and partner requests with professionalism, discretion, accuracy, and urgency.
• Own requests through resolution, anticipate upcoming needs, and proactively identify potential issues.

Investment Analysis and Research

• Support portfolio analysis across public markets, private markets, hedge funds, real assets, and liquidity strategies.
• Evaluate portfolio positioning relative to strategic targets, investment guidelines, liquidity requirements, risk parameters, and tactical views.
• Research financial markets, investment strategies, managers, portfolio exposures, performance, and risk.
• Assist with investment and manager due diligence, documentation, and follow-up analysis.
• Synthesize quantitative and qualitative information into clear, decision-useful conclusions.
• Build knowledge of Northern Trust capabilities and external investment opportunities available to Global Family Office clients.

Portfolio Implementation and Risk Management

• Assist with the coordination of trades, cash movements, subscriptions, redemptions, capital activity, and other portfolio transactions.
• Support account documentation, investment guidelines, fee arrangements, and related records.
• Collaborate with investment, fiduciary, banking, tax, operations, compliance, and reporting partners to resolve client and portfolio matters.
• Review account, transaction, performance, fee, and tax-cost information for potential discrepancies.
• Follow applicable investment guidelines, fiduciary standards, policies, procedures, and risk-management practices.

Team Contribution

• Contribute to an environment in which information is shared, commitments are honored, and colleagues support one another.
• Identify work that is incomplete, inaccurate, or capable of improvement and take appropriate action.
• Seek feedback and demonstrate a commitment to professional growth.
• Improve analytical tools, reporting, communication, and team processes.
• Share knowledge and support colleagues as experience develops.

Qualities for Success

Technical capabilities are essential, but only one dimension of what will define success in this role. How an individual works, exercises judgment, builds trust, and contributes to others is given equal measure. A successful candidate will bring and cultivate the follow:

• Optimistic warmth: Brings kindness, professionalism, and a constructive outlook to every interaction.
• Intellectual curiosity: Asks thoughtful questions and seeks to understand beyond the immediate assignment.
• Commitment to excellence: Recognizes what is incomplete or could be better and takes action to improve it.
• Work ethic and ownership: Works with discipline and urgency, honors commitments, and follows matters through completion.
• Empathy: Considers how actions and communication affect clients, colleagues, and partners.
• Self-awareness and integrity: Accepts feedback, owns mistakes, and acts with honesty, humility, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Team-first orientation: Shares information, supports colleagues, and prioritizes client and team success.
• Responsiveness and respect: Comes prepared, communicates promptly, meets deadlines, and respects others' time.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 0-2 years of relevant investment management, wealth management, financial services, consulting, or research experience.
• Foundational knowledge of financial markets, investment products, and portfolio management.
• Demonstrated interest in investing and advising sophisticated families.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management capabilities.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information, manage multiple priorities, exercise judgment, and recognize risk.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, with the ability to learn investment, reporting, and workflow systems.

Salary Range:

$55,800 - 89,400 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 View email address on click.appcast.io, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.