Wealth Management Associate Jobs in Illinois
Wealth Management Associate jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago's dense financial services corridor, with additional demand in Naperville and Schaumburg among the suburban wealth management practices serving high-net-worth clients. Demand is consistent at every level from entry-level client service roles through senior associate positions managing complex portfolios. Large established employers such as Northern Trust, Baird, and Nuveen maintain significant Illinois footprints and hire across specialties including financial planning, investment advisory support, and retirement planning. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 96+ Wealth Management Associate jobs
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.
Summary
The Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) team within Wealth Management Business Enablement oversees the portfolio of strategic initiatives and capital investments, ensuring alignment between business strategy and execution. The role partners with senior leaders to optimize investment decisions, portfolio governance, reporting, and value realization.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead strategic portfolio management processes, governance, and reporting.
- Develop and present financial and operational analyses to senior leadership.
- Create portfolio reporting that provides transparency for decision-making.
- Build financial models, scenario analyses, and executive-level presentations.
- Partner with Product, Technology, and Wealth Management leadership.
- Drive change management, accountability, and issue resolution.
- Maintain visibility into portfolio risks, dependencies, investments, and outcomes.
- Mentor team members and foster cross-functional collaboration.
Required Experience & Skills
- Approximately 10+ years of relevant experience.
- Strong financial, portfolio, and data analysis capabilities.
- Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
- Excellent executive communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to influence senior leaders and drive decisions through analysis.
- Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and drive initiatives to completion.
- Experience building relationships across all organizational levels.
- Ability to manage a team.
Salary Range:
$114,700 - 194,900 USDSalary 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 MyHRHelp@ntrs.com, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.
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.
Summary
The Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) team within Wealth Management Business Enablement oversees the portfolio of strategic initiatives and capital investments, ensuring alignment between business strategy and execution. The role partners with senior leaders to optimize investment decisions, portfolio governance, reporting, and value realization.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead strategic portfolio management processes, governance, and reporting.
- Develop and present financial and operational analyses to senior leadership.
- Create portfolio reporting that provides transparency for decision-making.
- Build financial models, scenario analyses, and executive-level presentations.
- Partner with Product, Technology, and Wealth Management leadership.
- Drive change management, accountability, and issue resolution.
- Maintain visibility into portfolio risks, dependencies, investments, and outcomes.
- Mentor team members and foster cross-functional collaboration.
Required Experience & Skills
- Approximately 10+ years of relevant experience.
- Strong financial, portfolio, and data analysis capabilities.
- Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
- Excellent executive communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to influence senior leaders and drive decisions through analysis.
- Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and drive initiatives to completion.
- Experience building relationships across all organizational levels.
- Ability to manage a team.
Salary Range:
$114,700 - 194,900 USDSalary 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 MyHRHelp@ntrs.com, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.
See All 96 Wealth Management Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsWealth Management Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Wealth Management Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- JPMorganChase43
- Northern Trust13
- PNC Financial Services6
- U.S. Bank3
- Goldman Sachs3
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
- Investment & Asset Management
- Fintech
- Insurance
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in wealth management associate jobs across Illinois.
- Active FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses recognized in Illinois
- Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a closely related field
- One to three years of client-facing financial services or brokerage experience
- Proficiency with CRM platforms and financial planning software such as Salesforce or eMoney
- Strong knowledge of investment products including equities, fixed income, and mutual funds
- CFP designation in progress or completed preferred for senior associate positions
Wealth Management Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a wealth management associate in Illinois?
The standard path begins with a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field, followed by passing the FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 exams, both of which require employer sponsorship through a registered broker-dealer or investment adviser. Illinois does not impose a separate state licensing exam beyond federal FINRA requirements, but investment adviser representatives must register through the Illinois Securities Department. Pursuing a CFP designation strengthens candidacy considerably for roles at the associate level and above.
How much do wealth management associates make in Illinois?
Wealth management associates in Illinois earn a median of about $120,130 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $51,820 for the lowest 10% to over $328,650 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire wealth management associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring wealth management associates in Illinois right now include JPMorganChase, Northern Trust, and PNC Financial Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep concentration of asset managers, private banks, and independent registered investment advisers in the Chicago metro creates a broad and sustained hiring base across firm types and client segments.
Which Illinois cities have the most wealth management associate jobs?
Chicago, Northbrook, and Moline account for the largest share of wealth management associate openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to major financial institutions, large broker-dealers, and private wealth firms concentrated in the Loop and North Michigan Avenue corridor, while Naperville and Schaumburg attract openings from suburban advisory practices and regional bank branches serving the affluent Chicago metro commuter belt.
Are there remote wealth management associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical roles, since client relationship management and compliance oversight often require in-person interaction. About 59% of wealth management associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting firms that permit remote work for back-office tasks such as portfolio reporting and financial plan preparation while keeping client-facing responsibilities largely on-site.
How can I get hired as a wealth management associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is joining a large Illinois-based firm as a client associate or financial planning analyst, roles that Northern Trust and Baird both post as structured new-graduate programs within their wealth management divisions. Community banks and regional credit unions across Illinois also hire unlicensed associates and sponsor Series 7 exam prep as part of onboarding. Completing the Securities Industry Essentials exam independently before applying signals seriousness and helps candidates move past initial screening without prior licensed experience.
Where can I find and apply to wealth management associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to wealth management associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each one.
See All 96 Wealth Management Associate Jobs in Illinois
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