Assistant Director, Enterprise Transformation - Acceleration Office

About the role

Northwestern Mutual (NM) is in the early stages of a bold, multi-year enterprise transformation to simplify how we operate, reduce complexity, and enable faster, more connected delivery of value to clients and advisors. We are looking for an Assistant Director to join the newly formed Acceleration Office (AO) with a mandate to drive this work. The Acceleration Office is a dedicated team within the Enterprise Enablement and Technology function. This role sits at the center of the transformation, helping shape how NM operates into the future through improved coordination, execution, and ways of working across business and technology teams. The operating environment is continuing to evolve, where priorities and approaches will continue to develop. You'll help bring structure and clarity while partnering with experienced cross-functional leaders across the organization and working within a flat, highly collaborative team.

This is a highvisibility, fastpaced role suited for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly with quality, and brings structure and rigor to complex work.

What you'll do:

• Drive execution: Own or support discrete workstreams or components, contributing from problem definition through delivery and helping translate strategic direction into clear plans, milestones, and accountability. You will partner closely with an AO Senior Director, and various VPs.

• Support active frontrunners: Help support teams already operating in the new model by coordinating across partners, identifying friction, and driving follow-through on priorities that improve delivery and adoption.

• Operationalize for scale: Contribute to defining and operationalizing the future-state operating model by translating concepts into practical deliverables, actions, and decision points that enable scale.

• Launch new teams and solutions: Support readiness and coordination activities required to launch new teams or solutions aligned to the model, including sequencing, dependency management, and cross-functional alignment.

• Improve execution effectiveness by increasing visibility into value realization, reducing friction, and enabling more efficient cross-functional coordination.

• Shape executive communications: Draft and synthesize executive-level updates, progress reports, and decision-ready materials that translate complexity into clarity.

• Be a systemic problem solver: Identify bottlenecks and organizational friction that slow teams down, then drive practical solutions in partnership with stakeholders across the enterprise.

What you'll bring

• 5+ years experience driving complex, cross-functional work: Background in management consulting, enterprise transformation, or leading large-scale initiatives; experience with operating model change is preferred

• Blended strategy and execution skill set: Demonstrated ability to move from structured problem solving to hands-on delivery, including program and initiative execution in complex environments.

• Bias toward action: A pragmatic, "make progress" mindset with the ability to move quickly while maintaining quality and integrity.

• Cross-functional stakeholder management: Experience working across business and technology partners, facilitating alignment and driving outcomes through influence.

• Comfort with ambiguity: Ability to operate in an environment where the playbook is evolving, bringing structure, momentum, and sound judgment.

• Strong communication and storytelling: Clear, concise communicator who can build crisp executive-ready materials and synthesize complex ideas.

• Data-driven execution discipline: Experience using dashboards, scorecards, OKRs/KPIs, and related execution tools to monitor progress and enable transparency.

• Transformation exposure (preferred): Experience supporting operating model change, enterprise transformation, or related work that blends strategy, operating rhythms, and adoption.

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

Pay Range - End:

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

Structure 115:

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.

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.

Analytical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Customer Centricity (NM) - Advanced, Risk Management (NM) - Advanced, Change Adaptability (NM) - Advanced, Emotional Intelligence (NM) - Advanced, Program Management (NM) - Expert, Program Governance (NM) - Expert, Prioritization (NM) - Advanced, Business Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Consulting (NM) - Advanced, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Advanced, Stakeholder Relationship (NM) - Advanced, KPIs & Metrics (NM) - Intermediate, Process Mindset (NM) - Advanced

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