Digital Asset & Emerging Technology Risk Principal
- Hiring from
- Ireland
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Posted
- Sep 29, 2026
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:
We are seeking a forward-thinking risk professional to provide independent oversight and challenge of risks associated with digital assets, digital financial instruments, and emerging technologies, including blockchain, distributed ledger technologies, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced cloud architectures. The ideal candidate will bring a balanced, risk-based perspective that enables innovation while ensuring risks are effectively identified, assessed, and managed.
Operating at the intersection of cybersecurity, technology risk, and financial innovation, this role evaluates evolving threats, technology developments, and regulatory expectations impacting digital asset ecosystems, with a particular focus on cyber and technology risk exposures.
The role partners with business, technology, cybersecurity, compliance, and risk stakeholders to promote the secure, resilient, and well-governed adoption of innovative technologies in alignment with the firm's risk appetite and regulatory obligations.
The successful candidate will translate complex technical concepts into actionable risk insights, provide credible challenge to strategic initiatives, support executive and committee-level decision-making, and help shape the firm's approach to managing risks associated with digital assets and emerging technologies.
Key Responsibilities:
Support development and enhancement of risk taxonomy, policies, standards, and risk appetite metrics covering digital assets and emerging technologies.
Establish and maintain risk reporting, risk indicators, and governance processes for digital asset activities.
Monitor industry developments, emerging threats, and evolving regulatory expectations impacting digital assets and distributed ledger technologies.
Assess cyber risks associated with blockchain ecosystems, including private key management, cryptographic controls, consensus mechanisms, node security, and on-chain transaction monitoring.
Evaluate cyber and technology control environments supporting digital asset platforms across control domains including cloud-hosted and hybrid architectures supporting digital asset capabilities.
Interpret and assess impacts of evolving regulatory requirements related to cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, digital custody, tokenization, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity and operational resilience.
Support regulatory examinations, audits, issue remediation activities, and management responses.
Provide subject matter expertise to governance committees and senior management forums.
Partner with technology, cybersecurity, business, compliance, legal, operational risk, and architecture teams to evaluate emerging digital asset initiatives.
Advise leadership on risk implications of new products, services, and technology adoption.
Translate complex technical concepts into practical risk insights and actionable recommendations.
Qualifications:
Required
4+ years of technical experience in one or more of:
Blockchain SecurityBlockchain Technology and Security
Crypto Custody (including MPC protocols)
Digital Asset Risk Management
8+ years of experience in one or more of:
Financial Services Risk Management
Cybersecurity
Technology Risk Management
Operational Risk
Information Security
Preferred
Experience with regulatory expectations and compliance in financial services
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear risk insights
Familiarity with quantum risk implications (cryptography, future-proofing)
Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and architecture risks
Professional certifications (e.g., FRM, CRISC, CISSP, CISA)
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 MyHRHelp@ntrs.com, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.
About Us
Looking for greater?
You found it.
A global financial leader with more than 22,000 employees in 23 locations worldwide, Northern Trust empowers our employees to achieve more than just business goals. Our focus on work-life balance, career mobility and unique opportunities are just a few of the reasons we’ve been named one of the world’s most admired companies.
Terms and Conditions
Candidate Privacy Notices
California Applicant Privacy Notice
Pay Transparency
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (U.S)
Disclosures
Transparency in Coverage Disclosure – North America
Reasonable Accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center or call 1-800-807-0302 (North America), +630-276-5353 (Asia Pacific), 1800-425-0333 (India), +44(0)207 982 4357 (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statements
APAC/INDIA EEO STATEMENT
It is the policy and practice of Northern Trust to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Northern Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age. All employment decisions will be made in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our obligations under the law and codes of practice. This includes human resources’ decisions relating to recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, transfers, promotions and access to learning and development.
Canada EEO STATEMENT
Northern Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring and other employment decisions at Northern Trust are made without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, ethnic origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital status, family status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
EMEA EEO STATEMENT
It is the policy and practice of Northern Trust to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Northern Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age. All employment decisions will be made in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our obligations under the law and codes of practice. This includes human resources’ decisions relating to recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, transfers, promotions and access to learning and development.
USA EEO STATEMENT
It is the policy of The Northern Trust Company to afford equal opportunity in all phases of employment without regard to an individual's age, race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic tests and information, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.