About the Job
At Northwestern Mutual, we want to be at the center of our clients’ financial lives. The Sophisticated Planning Strategies (SPS) Team partners with top firms to deliver best-in-class wealth planning services to high-net-worth clients.
This role sits at the intersection of operations and systems, supporting how our services are delivered today while helping improve the tools, processes, and reporting that enable us to scale. You’ll work on both core operational processes, projects, and supporting systems, making this role ideal for someone who enjoys structured, detail‑oriented work and is also motivated to solve problems and improve how things work.
What You’ll Do
Own and Improve Operations
Execute and own complex operational processes that enable SPS services, including new offerings such as tax preparation and family office services
Help develop and refine processes as services evolve, ensuring consistency, quality, and scalability
Identify issues or inefficiencies and take initiative to recommend and implement improvements
Support Tools, Reporting, and Systems
Partner with senior team members to build and enhance tools, dashboards, and reporting used to manage SPS operations
Perform data validation, reporting updates, and system support activities
Contribute to automation and system enhancements that improve efficiency and user experience
Lead and Contribute to Projects
Lead or support projects and initiatives that improve how work gets done across SPS
Coordinate with stakeholders to gather input, track progress, and ensure timely execution
Support changes impacting the field, including communication and implementation activities
Collaborate and Build Capability
Work closely with cross‑functional partners across operations, technology, and the field
Share knowledge, document processes, and help build team understanding and backup coverage
Grow into increased ownership of processes, tools, or workstreams over time
What You’ll Bring to the Role
Experience
2–5 years of experience in operations, information systems, or a related field
Experience executing and owning repeatable operational processes with strong attention to accuracy and detail
Exposure to tools, workflows, reporting, or data‑supported operations
Experience managing multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven environment
Experience building reporting or dashboards (e.g., Power BI)
Exposure to system integrations or data flows
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience
Skills You Have
Analytical Thinking: Organizes and compares various aspects of a situation to comprehend and identify key or underlying complex issues through the use of quantitative data and analysis; leverages strong business acumen, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to think critically about situations from multiple perspectives and consistently seeks ways to improve processes.
Continuous Improvement: Utilizes available methods to identify opportunities, executes solutions and measures impact to improve existing practices and processes. Implements feedback and lessons learned. Leverages the ability to identify and experiment assumptions and hypothesis for products to be able to refine and improve them at any stage of the life cycle.
Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people inside and outside of the organization. Builds appropriate rapport, constructive and effective relationships. Uses diplomacy and tact and diffuses high-tension situations comfortably.
Learning Agility & Critical Thinking: Pursues learning and obtains knowledge continuously in relevant fields, methods, or technologies in current and future practices; continuously utilizes critical thinking to identify opportunities, execute solutions, and measure impact to constantly improve existing practices and processes based on feedback, lessons learned, and market trends.
Project Management: Delivers projects in alignment to business requirements, specific success criteria, and stakeholder expectations. Plans, manages, and completes projects keeping cost and time considerations in mind.
#LI-Hybrid
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$70,320.00Pay Range - End:
$105,480.00Geographic 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.
Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Intermediate, Continuous Improvement (NM) - Intermediate, Root Cause Analysis & Decision Quality (NM) - Intermediate, Process Improvement (NM) - Intermediate, Project Management (NM) - Beginner, Process Mindset (NM) - Intermediate, Stakeholder Relationship (NM) - Beginner, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Beginner, Interpersonal Savvy (NM) - Beginner, Documentation (NM) - Intermediate, Analytical Thinking (NM) - Intermediate
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.
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.
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.
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.