Sr. Director Executive Talent Partner
Northwestern Mutual
Milwaukee, WI
About the Job
The Sr. Director, Executive Talent Partner serves as a senior advisor to enterprise leadership, focused on elevating executive effectiveness, accelerating leadership development, and strengthening organizational performance at the highest levels. This role partners closely with Senior HR Business Partners, Enterprise Leadership Group (ELG), and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members to diagnose leadership and organizational challenges, and deliver tailored executive consulting, coaching, and development solutions.
This role provides ongoing, high-impact executive consultation—shaping leadership capability, team effectiveness, and succession outcomes through deep partnership, insight, and influence. The Executive Talent Partner brings a strong point of view grounded in data, experience, and business acumen, and is a trusted voice in critical talent and transformation decisions.
What You'll Do
Serve as a trusted executive advisor and coach to ELG and SLT leaders, providing candid, insight-driven guidance to enhance leadership effectiveness and business performance.
Lead executive development consulting engagements, including leadership assessment, coaching, and targeted development planning for senior leaders and their teams.
Diagnose complex leadership and organizational challenges, and translate insights into practical, high-impact actions that improve executive and team performance.
Facilitate executive-level discussions, offsites, and leadership sessions, bringing strong presence, structure, and storytelling to drive alignment and outcomes.
Partner with senior leaders and HR Business Partners to strengthen succession pipelines and accelerate readiness for critical executive roles.
Enhance team effectiveness at the executive level, including onboarding and assimilation of new leaders, improving team dynamics, and enabling high-performing leadership teams.
Integrate data, assessment insights, and external research to inform executive decision-making and development strategies.
Collaborate with HRBPs and COE partners to align executive development priorities with broader talent, workforce, and business strategies.
Influence and shape enterprise talent strategies by providing a forward-looking perspective on leadership capability, organizational health, and transformation readiness.
Act as a thought partner and challenger, bringing objectivity, courage, and enterprise perspective to sensitive and high-stakes talent discussions.
What You'll Bring to the Role
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Organizational Development, or related field (or equivalent experience required).
Master’s degree in Business, Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or related field preferred.
10+ years of experience in executive development, leadership consulting, organizational development, or HR advisory roles supporting senior leaders.
Core Capabilities
Executive Consultation & Coaching: Demonstrated ability to coach and advise senior executives, including delivering candid feedback and influencing behavior change.
Executive Presence & Facilitation: Strong presence with the ability to lead high-impact conversations, facilitate executive forums, and present to senior audiences with clarity and confidence.
Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen: Ability to connect leadership strategies to business outcomes and enterprise priorities.
Organizational Diagnosis: Skilled in identifying root causes of leadership and team challenges and translating them into actionable solutions.
Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional ability to synthesize insights into compelling narratives that drive alignment and action.
Influence & Relationship Management: Builds trust quickly and navigates complex stakeholder environments with credibility and impact.
Data & Insight Fluency: Leverages qualitative and quantitative data to inform executive decisions and development strategies.
Desired Attributes
Courageous and credible advisor with the ability to challenge senior leaders constructively.
High learning agility and intellectual curiosity.
Strong empathy and judgment when working through sensitive leadership dynamics.
Collaborative, yet able to operate independently in high-stakes environments.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience delivering executive coaching and leadership assessments (e.g., 360s, psychometrics).
Background in enterprise transformation or large-scale organizational change.
Certification in executive coaching or relevant assessment tools.
Familiarity with agile ways of working.
#LI-Hybrid
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$144,000.00Pay Range - End:
$216,000.00Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
Structure 110:
$158,400.00 USD - $237,600.00 USDStructure 115:
$165,600.00 USD - $248,400.00 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 who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. 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.
Skills
Strategic Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Advanced, KPIs & Metrics (NM) - Advanced, Leadership Assessment & Development (NM) - Expert, Talent Strategy (NM) - Advanced, Internal HR Consulting (NM) - Expert, Continuous Improvement (NM) - Advanced, Talent Planning (NM) - Expert, Technical & Digital Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Customer Centricity (NM) - Expert, User-Centered Design Process (NM) - Advanced, Accountability (NM) - Advanced, Executive Presence (NM) - Advanced, Consulting (NM) - Advanced, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Advanced, HR Ethics (NM) - Expert, Business Influence (NM) - Advanced, Stakeholder Relationship (NM) - Advanced, Process Improvement (NM) - Advanced, Change Management (NM) - Advanced, Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Organizational & Political Savvy (NM) - Advanced
FIND YOUR FUTURE
We’re excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and our commitment to a culture of belonging.
- Flexible work schedules
- Concierge service
- Comprehensive benefits
- Employee resource groups
About the Company
Northwestern Mutual
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.