Senior Director, Innovation Strategy & Planning

As the Senior Director, Innovation Strategy & Planning, you'll sit at the center of Workforce Innovation & Insights, a team charged with shaping how work works. We're tackling big questions: how emerging technologies like GenAI reshape capability models, how design and data accelerate better decisions, how digital experience empowers employees to achieve their full potential, and how we turn strategic intent into operational reality. This role is the connective force behind that ambition.
In this role, you'll partner directly with the VP leading this work. The role blends strategic thought partnership, operational coordination, and cross-functional relationship management. Some days you'll help craft the storyline behind a major initiative. Other days, you'll coordinate across teams, ensure execution stays on track, or represent the team in forums where context and follow-through matter more than hierarchy. It's a dynamic role designed for someone who thrives in complexity and brings a steady hand to fast-moving environments.
What You'll Do
Strategy & Storytelling

• Help shape and translate priorities into clear, compelling strategy artifacts ranging from decision support materials to vision frameworks and operating plans.
• Act as a connective thread across initiatives, ensuring consistency in story, insight, and implication.

Planning & Execution Support

• Track objectives, confirm alignment, and translate ideas into structured plans.
• Distill outcomes, anticipate follow-ups, and shape next steps with calm clarity.
• Filter the noise from the signal, surfacing only the decisions that truly need escalation.

Team Operations

• Manage one or more project managers/operations specialists, with potential for broader portfolio operations oversight.
• Build simple systems that support effective execution without bureaucracy: meeting rhythms, action tracking, light-touch planning frameworks.
• Remove friction where possible, and elevate only what truly needs executive attention.

Cross-Functional Navigation

• Partner across the function and the business to support alignment, momentum, and shared context.
• Build trust with peers and partners, earning a reputation for clarity, reliability, and follow-through.

Who You Are

• A strategist and an operator, equally comfortable in concept and execution.
• Adept at translating ideas into narratives, questions into plans, and momentum into results
• Trusted by senior leaders because you think three steps ahead and tell the truth with grace.
• Obsessed with context. You don't just execute, you connect the dots others don't see yet.
• Deeply collaborative, with a bias toward preparation, follow-through, and shared success.
• Trusted for your judgment. Known for your reliability. Valued for the way you work.

Why This Role Matters
This role is a force multiplier. Not just for the VP you support, but for the systems, teams, and decisions that shape how work evolves. You'll be part of an ambitious innovation effort that blends data, content, technology, and experience design to build a better future of work. If you're looking for a challenge that stretches your strategic mind and rewards collaborative excellence, this is it.
#LI-Hybrid, #LI-Remote, #LI-Onsite
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$123,480.00
Pay Range - End:
$229,320.00
Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
220 - Structure 110: 135,800.00 USD - 252,200.00 USD 220 - Structure 115: 142,030.00 USD - 263,770.00 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.
Job Posting End Date:
11/16/2026
The timeline for this job posting may be shortened or extended based on organizational needs.
Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!
Nor t hwestern 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
Business Acumen (NM) - Expert, Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Advanced, Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Expert, Program Management (NM) - Expert, Prioritization (NM) - Advanced, Accountability (NM) - Advanced, Executive Presence (NM) - Advanced, Analytical Thinking (NM) - Expert, Business Influence (NM) - Advanced, Business Case Development (NM) - Advanced, Stakeholder Relationship (NM) - Advanced, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Expert, Root Cause Analysis & Decision Quality (NM) - Expert, Interpersonal 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