Narrative Writer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About Northern Trust:
Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.
Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world's most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world's most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Role/Department: Sr Writer, Enterprise Storyteller/Public relations/Communications
This role serves as the organization's chief storyteller-responsible for shaping and elevating how the firm communicates its story internally and externally.
It leads the development of clear, compelling, and cohesive narratives that connect strategy, culture, leadership, and impact. Acting as a senior individual contributor within Communications & Content Strategy, this role translates complex business priorities into human-centered storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences, including partners, clients, media, investors, and industry stakeholders.
The role partners is an individual contributor role, reporting directly to the head of corporate communications. It will partner closely with senior leaders and communications teams to define and deliver enterprise-wide messaging and editorial direction. It ensures consistency of voice, clarity of message, and differentiation of the organization's narrative across channels and platforms.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
• Serves as the lead storyteller and editorial strategist for the organization, shaping a clear, consistent enterprise narrative across internal and external communications
• Translates complex business, industry, and organizational topics into clear, compelling, and accessible messaging for a broad range of audiences
• Develops high-impact content supporting executive communications, enterprise initiatives, thought leadership, brand positioning, and strategic announcements
• Establishes and evolves editorial standards, including tone, voice, and storytelling frameworks, to drive consistency and quality across the organization
• Ensures alignment of messaging across functions, business units, and geographies to support a cohesive and differentiated organizational narrative [
• Identifies opportunities to connect stories across channels and audiences, strengthening narrative continuity and engagement
• Partners closely with senior leaders, communications teams, and subject matter experts to shape messaging, positioning, and storytelling approach
• Elevates the quality and impact of communications by ensuring content is clear, consistent, and audience-focused
• Provides editorial guidance and coaching to communicators across the enterprise to strengthen storytelling capabilities
• Maintains awareness of industry trends, business priorities, and audience expectations to inform messaging and ensure relevance
Skills/Qualifications:
• 10+ years of experience in communications, journalism, content strategy, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience developing enterprise-level messaging and executive communications
• Proven ability to translate complex business and industry topics into clear, engaging, and impactful content
• Experience working closely with senior executives and cross-functional partners
• Deep expertise in writing, editing, and narrative development, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling stories
• Strong editorial judgment, with a clear point of view on voice, tone, and brand positioning
• Ability to move seamlessly between strategic narrative development and precise, high-quality writing
• Proven capability to develop engaging content across formats, including executive messaging, articles, scripts, and thought leadership
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence and advise senior leaders on messaging and positioning
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed organization, building alignment across stakeholders
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to connect work across teams to drive a unified narrative
• Curiosity and awareness of industry trends and emerging topics, with the ability to translate insights into relevant storytelling
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred
**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 Model: Hybrid (#LI-Hybrid)
We have a balanced hybrid working model to ensure you get the flexibility you need, and the successful candidate will spend their time between working in the office and working from home.
#LI-EA1
Salary Range:
$114,700 - 194,900 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.
Working with Us:
As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.
Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.
We'd love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world's most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater
Reasonable accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com.
We hope you're excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.
Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater.