Digital Asset & Emerging Technology Risk Principal

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust is a global leader in wealth management, asset servicing, asset management, and banking services, proudly supporting the world's most successful individuals, families, corporations, and institutions. Established in 1889 with over 135 years of experience and 24,000 partners worldwide, Northern Trust is committed to its foundational principles of Service, Expertise, and Integrity, providing exceptional service backed by advanced technology.

Role Summary

The role seeks a visionary risk expert to independently oversee and challenge risks related to digital assets, digital financial instruments, and cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, distributed ledger technology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced cloud systems. The successful candidate will bring a balanced and risk-aware mindset that fosters innovation while effectively identifying, evaluating, and managing associated risks.

This position operates at the convergence of cybersecurity, technology risk, and financial innovation. Key duties include analyzing emerging threats, technological trends, and regulatory changes impacting digital asset ecosystems, with special attention to cyber and technology risk dimensions.

The role requires collaboration with business units, technical teams, cybersecurity experts, compliance, and risk functions to promote safe, resilient, and governed adoption of new technologies aligned with the firm's risk tolerance and regulatory mandates.

The candidate will articulate complex technical matters into practical risk insights, provide authoritative challenge to major initiatives, support high-level decision-making, and help shape company strategies for managing digital asset and emerging technology risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and refinement of risk taxonomies, policies, standards, and metrics related to digital assets and emerging technologies.
• Develop and uphold risk reporting, indicators, and governance frameworks for digital asset operations.
• Continuously monitor industry trends, evolving threats, and regulatory expectations affecting digital assets and distributed ledger technologies.
• Assess cyber risks in blockchain infrastructures, including key management, cryptographic safeguards, consensus processes, node protection, and transaction oversight.
• Evaluate cybersecurity and technology controls in digital asset platforms, including those supported by cloud and hybrid environments.
• Interpret regulatory developments regarding cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, digital custody, tokenization, distributed ledger technologies, and operational resilience.
• Assist in regulatory audits, examinations, remediation, and management response initiatives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in governance committees and senior management meetings.
• Collaborate with technology, cybersecurity, compliance, legal, operational risk, and architecture teams to assess emerging digital asset projects.
• Advise leadership on risk implications of new products, services, and technology adoption.
• Convert intricate technical information into actionable risk guidance and recommendations.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years’ technical experience in one or more areas: blockchain security, crypto custody including MPC protocols, or digital asset risk management.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in financial services risk management, cybersecurity, technology risk management, operational risk, or information security.
• Preferred qualifications include experience with financial regulatory compliance, the ability to translate technical subjects into clear risk insights, knowledge of quantum computing implications for cryptography, familiarity with cloud service platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, and professional certifications like FRM, CRISC, CISSP, or CISA.

Work Authorization

Candidates must possess the legal right to work in Ireland at the time of application and throughout employment. Northern Trust is unable to sponsor employment permits under Irish immigration laws for this role.

Working Environment

Joining Northern Trust means becoming part of a flexible and collaborative culture with strong stability and financial strength. Internal mobility is encouraged, senior leaders are approachable, and the company fosters inclusion and community engagement. Philanthropy is deeply embedded in Northern Trust’s culture, with significant employee involvement in community service worldwide.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to providing accommodations for individuals with health conditions or disabilities. Applicants requiring adjustments during the recruitment process can contact the HR Service Center or their recruiter directly.