Specialist, APAC Custody Tax Operations

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.

We are seeking an experienced and client-focused Senior Tax Client Service Lead to oversee the delivery of withholding tax operations and tax client servicing for a dedicated portfolio of institutional clients. This role is responsible for ensuring clients receive an effective, proactive and high-quality withholding tax service, including the application of optimal withholding tax rates, oversight of tax documentation requirements and management of tax reclaim activity.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted point of contact for clients, internal stakeholders and relevant market participants, helping to resolve complex queries, support process improvements and ensure the service is delivered in line with operational, regulatory and risk management expectations.

Key Responsibilities

This is a senior client-facing role suited to someone who combines strong technical tax operations expertise with excellent relationship management, communication and problem-solving skills.

• Act as the primary client contact for withholding tax servicing matters, ensuring enquiries are handled professionally, accurately and within agreed timeframes.

• Build a strong understanding of each client’s tax profile, investment structure and market activity to support effective service delivery.

• Oversee the collection, review and maintenance of tax documentation required to secure optimal withholding tax rates across relevant markets.

• Monitor withholding tax treatment on client investments and work with internal teams to resolve exceptions, issues or delays.

• Oversee tax reclaim activity for assigned clients, ensuring claims are submitted on a timely basis and aged items are actively monitored and progressed.

• Coordinate, chair and contribute to client meetings, including the preparation and presentation of documentation, reclaim and service status updates.

• Ensure actions arising from client meetings, queries or service reviews are clearly captured, assigned and completed within appropriate timelines.

• Track, manage and report on client queries, risks and service issues, escalating matters where required.

• Monitor changes in tax regimes and market requirements, supporting the translation of those changes into operational procedures and client communications.

• Maintain effective working relationships with tax authorities, market contacts, internal operational teams and senior stakeholders to support continuous service improvement.

• Provide risk, control and service briefings to senior management, including insights on client servicing, operational risk and strategic planning.

• Support the harmonisation and strengthening of tax risk management, process and control frameworks across business lines.

• Identify operational risk points within the end-to-end withholding tax process and help ensure appropriate procedures, controls and skilled resources are in place.

• Operate independently as a subject matter expert, providing technical guidance, leadership and consultative support to colleagues, partners and clients.

Skills and Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of withholding tax regulations, tax documentation requirements and tax operations processes.

• Strong understanding of custody, asset servicing or investment operations environments, ideally within an institutional financial services setting.

• Ability to interpret complex tax, operational and market requirements and translate them into practical service actions.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, assess risk and recommend appropriate solutions.

• Excellent client service and stakeholder management skills, including the confidence to lead discussions with senior internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.

• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional and persuasive documentation.

• Highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.

• Commercially minded, resilient and comfortable navigating obstacles while delivering to tight deadlines.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree-level education, or equivalent professional experience; relevant industry qualifications would be advantageous.

• Significant experience in tax operations, withholding tax, custody tax, asset servicing

• Experience operating at a senior level with limited supervision, including ownership of client deliverables, operational issues and stakeholder engagement.

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex client service activity, manage escalations and deliver high-quality outcomes under pressure.

• Experience working with operational risk, controls, procedures and process improvement initiatives.

• Typically, candidates will bring around 10 years’ relevant experience, although applications from individuals with equivalent expertise and capability will also be considered.

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 Our Manila Office

The Northern Trust Manila office celebrated a decade of excellence in 2024. Through agility, resiliency, innovation, and excellence, they have evolved into a dynamic hub with diverse capabilities and a thriving workforce of over 1,200 - driving meaningful impact and sustainable growth. Learn more.