Sr. Director Planning Excellence

About The Job

This role is responsible for assessing, benchmarking and creating insights around potential third-party planning software solutions in conjunction with our proprietary financial planning software. Create and maintain a competitive software fact-base that informs our planning and digital product strategy. Leads a team of Planning Excellence consultants who provide consultation on Northwestern Mutual's financial planning philosophy into our digital platforms and ensuring all content regarding financial planning being produced by the Home Office aligns.

What You'll Do

• Leads a team of Planning Excellence consultants responsible for overseeing cross-functional teams that analyze data related to financial planning and PX and developing insights and hypotheses regarding the role of financial planning by advisor and clients in driving Northwestern Mutual planning strategy.

• Serve as the planning lead for the assessment of third-party solutions that fit within the NM planning ecosystem.

• Leads competitive intelligence effort around digital platforms and capabilities within the financial planning space.

• Overseeing work of others on cross-functional teams in developing requirements for PX planning software and content used by advisors regarding financial planning with responsibility for ensuring PX aligns with the FPP and planning best practices.

• Leading and supervising work of others related to supporting for PX Engineering in providing use cases, assisting in developing and conducting user acceptance testing.

• Preparing case studies on best practices for financial planning for use by Advisors or other stakeholders in preparing material for advisors, clients, home office stakeholders.

What You'll Bring

• Proven leadership skills working with diverse teams.

• Bachelor's degree required.

• Certifications or designations related to financial planning are preferred such as CFP, CFA, ChFC, CLU.

• 7 - 10+ years of previous experience with digital planning platforms and capabilities.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial services or advice or planning industry

• Knowledge and experience with Northwestern Mutual advisors, or other experience relevant to understanding Northwestern Mutual objectives required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build rapport internally, with field partners, and external vendors.

• Ability to gain buy‑in and influence at all levels of leadership.

• Strong short‑term and long‑term planning skills with the ability to manage resources to meet evolving business needs.

• High degree of self‑motivation with demonstrated leadership, accountability, and initiative.

• Demonstrated organizational agility with the ability to work across boundaries and collaborate effectively.

• Exceptional business acumen with a focus on delivering measurable business impact.

• Familiarity with financial planning software is required

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

Pay Range- Start:

$144,000.00

Pay Range- End:

$216,000.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$158,400.00 USD - $237,600.00 USD

Structure 115:

$165,600.00 USD - $248,400.00 USD

We 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.

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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.