📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Executive Director Custom SMA Product Marketing
🔹 Company: Northern Trust
🔹 Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Asset Management Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 13, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing marketing strategies for Custom SMA products
- Launching new products and managing marketing content
- Collaborating with senior stakeholders across investment, sales, and product teams
- Driving product adoption and loyalty within key investor segments
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Establish clear product marketing strategies for the custom SMA platform aligned with business goals and within budget.
✅ Define product positioning and distill technical concepts into simple, compelling messages customized by client segment.
✅ Lead new product launches, including development of value proposition and strategic competitive positioning for go-to market activities and materials.
✅ Serve as SME for all marketing-related activities (advertising, campaigns, thought leadership, etc.).
✅ Develop, direct, and manage product content across marketing assets and assist with value-add and thought leadership content.
✅ Participate in salesforce training in relation to the use of marketing deliverables.
✅ Ensure marketing materials meet all required regulatory obligations across all marketing constructs, distribution channels, and regions.
✅ Assist Marketing Services team with maintaining, updating, distributing, and enhancing product-related updates as needed.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
Experience: 15+ years of asset management marketing experience, specifically with custom SMA and/or DI platforms and B2B concentration required.
Required Skills:
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Ability to craft product messaging that illustrates compelling, differentiated benefits
- Strong product technical knowledge and ability to translate difficult/complex investment concepts into practical, applicable content and messaging
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders
- Strong commercial mindset and intellectual curiosity
- Deep understanding of institutional, wealth, and intermediary client segments and their unique nuances, buy psychology, and sales cycles
- Critical thinking and superior problem-solving abilities
- Ability to multi-task and effectively manage multiple projects, stakeholders, and competing objectives
- Strong understanding of US and International regulatory requirements/regulations
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with marketing automation tools
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the asset management industry and a strong understanding of custom SMA products will be most successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $114,700 - $194,900 USD (Estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Retirement benefits (401k and pension)
- Health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, and disability)
- Paid time off
- Parental and caregiver leave
- Life and accident insurance
- Voluntary and well-being benefits
- Discretionary bonus program
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and the company's internal equity.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Investment Management
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees
Founded: 1889
Company Description:
- Northern Trust is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution
- Provides innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions
- Committed to assisting the communities they serve
Company Specialties:
- Equity
- Fixed Income
- Alternatives
- Asset Allocation
- ESG
Company Website: Northern Trust
ASSUMPTION: Northern Trust is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the investment management industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Product Marketing, Asset Management Marketing
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to manage direct reports in the future
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with senior stakeholders
- Career progression within the marketing department or broader organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and advance their career.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL)
Office Location(s): Chicago, IL
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is a major city with a vibrant business environment
- Home to numerous financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies
- Offers a diverse range of cultural attractions, dining, and entertainment options
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the marketing team
- Final interview with the Head of Product Marketing, Asset Management Marketing
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing strategy and planning
- Communication and presentation skills
- Product knowledge and technical expertise
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your marketing strategy, product positioning, and content development work
- Research Northern Trust and the asset management industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm
ATS Keywords: Custom SMA, Product Marketing, Asset Management, Marketing Strategy, Competitive Positioning, Client Segmentation, Sales Enablement, Thought Leadership, Regulatory Compliance, Marketing Content, Product Launch
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and product marketing expertise.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Adobe Experience Manager)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Microsoft Office Suite
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the candidate's role and responsibilities.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Respect
- Excellence
- Client Focus
- Collaboration
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work
- Adaptable and open to feedback
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Northern Trust's core values?
- How do you approach collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and adapt your marketing strategies accordingly?
ASSUMPTION: Northern Trust values candidates who demonstrate strong cultural fit, with a focus on integrity, respect, and collaboration.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
- Navigating a large, complex organization
- Keeping up with industry trends and regulatory changes
- Balancing in-office and remote work responsibilities
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to staying informed and organized.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on custom SMA products and tax-advantaged solutions
- Similar roles in the industry may have a broader focus on asset management products or specific client segments
- Career progression in this role may lead to leadership positions in product marketing or broader marketing management
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to specialize in custom SMA product marketing and drive growth within a specific product area.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new custom SMA product launch
- Creating targeted marketing content for institutional, wealth, and intermediary client segments
- Managing a product launch campaign, including advertising, events, and thought leadership initiatives
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, creative, and tactical aspects of the role, as well as the importance of understanding and addressing the unique needs of different client segments.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the top priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for Northern Trust Asset Management?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within this role and the organization?
- How does Northern Trust support work-life balance for its employees?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate the candidate's interest in the role, the organization, and their long-term career goals.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, with a focus on marketing strategy, product positioning, and content development
- Prepare examples of your marketing strategy, product positioning, and content development work to showcase your expertise and accomplishments
- Research Northern Trust and the asset management industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
