At Northwestern Mutual, we are strong, innovative and growing. We invest in our people. We care and make a positive difference.
At Northwestern Mutual, we help our clients realize the promise of financial security and deliver comprehensive planning, insurance and investments through a trusted advisor and engaging technology. In short, we exist to free Americans from financial anxiety so people can live the live they want, both today and tomorrow.
By bringing investments and insurance together into one comprehensive plan, we help our clients eliminate financial anxiety. With over $240 billion in client assets across advisory and brokerage, Northwestern Mutual's Wealth & Investment Management business ("Wealth") helps our clients grow their wealth. By delivering industry-leading investment management solutions in partnership with thousands of trusted advisors, we complete the promise we've made to our clients.
The VP, Operations will be responsible for building and improving the operating platform for the retail investments business in partnership with technology, digital product, service operations, and other key stakeholders. The ideal candidate for this role is someone who has deep experience in financial services. This senior level individual will be an experienced, polished, and agile professional that can balance operating a regulatorily compliant business
What you will do:

• Drives business leadership and accountability for critical operating infrastructure/ecosystem and platform improvements to support advisors & clients
  • Collaborates with technology, Investment Client Services (ICS), digital product and others to advance platform capabilities and create operational efficiencies
  • Surfaces what needs to get done, by whom and when; ensures interdependencies are well understood; works to ensure achievement of collective goals
  • Identifies issues, risks & opportunities; drives resolution of issues and positive change while navigating a matrixed organization
  • Drives product/program implementation to deliver results
• Works closely with the VP, Head of Wealth & Investment Management and other senior leaders to deliver on department and organizational KPIs
  • Prioritizes wealth management initiatives while considering budget implications and strategic relevance
  • Manages teams accountable for PMO, training/implementation and performance & analytics
• Working across the firm, supports the overall growth of the Wealth business, representing the business in collaboration with key partners

Bring Your Best! What this role needs:

• Bachelor's degree is required; MBA/Masters preferred
• Minimum of 12 years of professional work experience in areas such as operational excellence, platform development, organizational navigation and influencing, project management, and alignment of resources

• Previous wealth management or financial services industry experience is required
• Experience enhancing platforms while working with multiple vendors (Pershing, Envestnet, etc.) in a retail investments setting is critical
• Demonstrated negotiation and decision making-making skills, while dealing with ambiguity to build rapport and gain acceptance relativity as well as strong analytical and intuitive skills with proven ability to problem-solve in non-routine situations.
• Experience in transforming operational or product businesses a plus
• Proven experience in leading and developing high performing teams while fostering an inclusive environment
• Metrics and data analysis skills

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W e are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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