Highlights
Analytical thinking: Organizes and compares various aspects of a situation to comprehend and identify key or underlying complex issues through the use of quantitative data and analysis; leverages strong business acumen, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to think critically about situations from multiple perspectives and consistently seeks ways to improve processes. Talent Development & Planning: Develops direct reports’ skills based on organizational objectives, evaluates skill gaps, and manages succession planning to develop more capable direct reports, diverse, strong teams and better organizational performance in an equitable and inclusive manner.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Industry | Financial Services |
| Company Size | 5,000 to 9,999 employees |
| Year Founded | 1857 |
| Website | https://www.northwesternmutual.com/ |
Description
Summary
The Senior Director is a strategic finance and business leader responsible for driving financial performance, operational excellence, workforce planning, investment governance, and business decision support across a large technology organization.
This role serves as a trusted partner to technology, business, and finance leaders, helping shape strategy, optimize investments, improve organizational effectiveness, and deliver business value. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in technology finance and operational management with exceptional leadership, influence, and change management capabilities.
Success in this role requires the ability to operate effectively in complex and ambiguous environments, balance strategic thinking with operational execution, and lead high-performing teams through transformation and growth.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as the primary finance partner to senior technology executives, providing strategic counsel on business priorities, investment decisions, organizational design, operating model evolution, and technology strategy.
Translate complex financial, operational, and technology concepts into actionable business insights for executive audiences.
Lead annual planning, forecasting, long-range planning, and quarterly business review processes across large technology portfolios.
Partner with senior leaders to develop multi-year investment strategies aligned to enterprise objectives.
Drive portfolio prioritization, business case development, ROI analysis, and value realization measurement.
Identify risks, opportunities, and strategic tradeoffs while providing actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
Establish financial targets, performance metrics, and accountability mechanisms aligned to enterprise objectives.
Translate complex technology and financial concepts into executive-level business discussions.
Partner with business leaders to improve financial discipline, accountability, and operational efficiency.
Lead cost management initiatives while balancing investment, growth, innovation, and operational objectives.
Prepare board-quality materials, executive presentations, strategic recommendations, and leadership communications.
Build, lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams of finance professionals.
Coach and mentor future leaders while building organizational capability and succession strength.
Foster a culture focused on business partnership, critical thinking, continuous learning, and operational maintenance.
Lead teams through change while maintaining high levels of performance and engagement.
Represent Finance in executive steering committees, governance forums, investment reviews, and transformation initiatives.
Qualifications
Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, or other business
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred
Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in positions with increasing financial management responsibilities
Exceptional people leadership experience managing teams and influencing executive stakeholders.
Intellectual agility, analytical and problem-solving abilities and well-developed presentation skills.
Ability to develop rapport and maintain effective relationships throughout the Company and influence decision making without authority
Demonstrated success partnering with senior leaders and executive leadership teams.
Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, strategic planning, and investment analysis.
Strong business acumen with an ability to understand and synthesize company-wide results.
Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive outcomes across cross-functional organizations.
Experience leading large-scale transformation, organizational change, or operational improvement iniatives.
Demonstrated ability to overcome obstacles and lead through change.
Exceptional communication, storytelling, and executive skills.
Skills:
- Financial Analysis: Analyzes balance sheet and income statement accounts to ensure accuracy, utilizes operational indicators, and actuarial information for comprehensive analysis. Interprets financial statements, draws conclusions, makes financial recommendations related to NM's products and services.
- Business Influence: Collaborates, communicates and influences direct reports, stakeholders, and other business functions based on understanding of the marketplace, organizational needs, and the client as a people manager.
- Strategic Vision & Planning: Develops, defines, and executes strategic vision for the team and business function they manage with an understanding of the enterprise’s goals as a people manager; defines business planning, strategy formulation, and management engine to support strategic vision.
- Storytelling through Data: Communicates insights and opportunities from a dataset, using narratives, visualizations, and analysis.
- Talent Development & Planning: Develops direct reports’ skills based on organizational objectives, evaluates skill gaps, and manages succession planning to develop more capable direct reports, diverse, strong teams and better organizational performance in an equitable and inclusive manner.
- Analytical thinking: Organizes and compares various aspects of a situation to comprehend and identify key or underlying complex issues through the use of quantitative data and analysis; leverages strong business acumen, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to think critically about situations from multiple perspectives and consistently seeks ways to improve processes.
- Cross Functional Planning & Partnering: Facilitates collaboration, communication, coordination, and planning with individuals and teams from different functions within the organization, and who have different areas of expertise, to achieve common goals.
#LI-Hybrid, #LI-Onsite
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$176,000.00Pay Range - End:
$264,000.00Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
Structure 110:
$193,600.00 USD - $290,400.00 USDStructure 115:
$202,400.00 USD - $303,600.00 USDWe believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.
Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!
Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.
About Company
Who We Are
What we believe.We believe relationships are built on trust. That our lives and our work matter. And that doing what’s right is good for everyone — our clients, our employees, our financial representatives and our communities.
These beliefs launched our company nearly 160 years ago. Today, they’re just a few of the reasons why people choose to build careers at Northwestern Mutual.
That means we’ll be here for the millions of people who are counting on us—our clients, our employees, our financial representatives and our communities.
We care.We make a positive difference in our communities. Nationally, thousands have benefited from our support of research and programs to fight childhood cancer. Each year, our Foundation, employees and financial representatives donate time, talent and financial support to causes they’re passionate about.
Why Work Here
We’re strong and growing.In a company with such a long and storied history, this may be the most exciting and important time to be a part of Northwestern Mutual. We’re strong, innovative and growing. And we want you to grow with us.
We invest in our people.We provide opportunities for employees to grow themselves, their careers, and, in turn, our business. Movement around the company is encouraged and we help our people build meaningful, long-term careers.
Be part of building our future.We’re expanding our campus in downtown Milwaukee overlooking Lake Michigan. The Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons will include a state-of-the-art employee Learning Institute, and will feature a natural light-filled, 21st century work environment. This signature development reinforces our commitment to job growth, attracting top talent and drawing new business to Milwaukee.
Enjoy Milwaukee.Located on beautiful Lake Michigan, Milwaukee offers a perfect balance of big city and small town living. Home to Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, Milwaukee has a thriving music scene, a celebrated annual film festival and vibrant performing arts community. Professional sports teams include the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks and other major teams. And outdoor family fun is easy here. An extensive urban bike path network links our lakefront parks, beaches and other recreational hotspots.
Our Culture
We are always evolving.At Northwestern Mutual, our employees, and our business, are always evolving. We are agile and continuously learning and improving. We have a work environment that empowers problem solving and encourages innovation—you will make an impact here.
We do what’s right.Our “do-what’s-right” value is pervasive. We ask ourselves: “Is this in the best interest of our clients? Our employees? Our financial representatives?” Acting on this value improves our clients’ experience, and makes Northwestern Mutual a better place to work.
We recognize and develop possibilities in our people.Onsite training and leadership development programs help employees succeed and grow. We also sponsor learning opportunities outside the company to help employees stay current in their fields, network with peers and gain external perspective.
Diversity makes us better.We believe diversity and inclusion cultivate creativity, innovation and a better experience for our clients. That’s why we recruit and grow people who bring unique perspectives, ideas, beliefs and cultural backgrounds.
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