About the Job
This role is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing early-stage startup investments that align with Northwestern Mutual’s strategic focus on fintech and AI. This role drives corporate growth by managing the full investment lifecycle, building founder relationships, and presenting opportunities to the investment committee. This role offers the unique benefit of operating within a well-resourced corporate entity while maintaining the agility and investment discipline of a traditional venture capital fund and is ideal for an individual with a proven track record in venture capital who is ready to lead significant investment initiatives. Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures operates as the corporate venture capital arm of Northwestern Mutual, a Fortune 100 financial services firm that helps Americans achieve financial security. This role operates within the broader Corporate Strategy team and may be based in San Francisco or Milwaukee with regular travel expected. What You’ll Do
Deal Sourcing and Generation: Proactively identify and engage with promising startups, entrepreneurs, and co-investors to generate a robust pipeline of investment opportunities aligned with Northwestern Mutual’s strategic interests.
Investment Due Diligence: Lead comprehensive market, product, technology, and financial due diligence processes. This includes conducting in-depth analyses, building financial models, and presenting detailed investment recommendations to the investment committee.
Deal Execution: Structure, negotiate, and close new venture capital investments, including term sheets, shareholder agreements, and other definitive documentation.
Portfolio Management: Actively support portfolio companies’ post-investment, including monitoring performance, providing strategic guidance, and facilitating introductions to relevant Northwestern Mutual business units where appropriate. This involves working closely with founders and management teams to foster growth and achieve strategic milestones.
Strategic Alignment: Serve as a key liaison between Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures portfolio companies and Northwestern Mutual’s internal business units, identifying and cultivating opportunities for collaboration.
Market Intelligence: Develop and maintain deep expertise in relevant technology sectors, identifying emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and disruptive innovations that could impact Northwestern Mutual’s core businesses.
Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships within the venture capital ecosystem, including founders, limited partners, co-investors, and industry experts.
What You’ll Bring to the Role
Experience: 5+ years in venture capital, corporate development, strategy consulting, or investment banking and a history of academic excellence.
Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to analyze competitive landscapes, market trends, and business models.
Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with various stakeholders, including startups, venture capitalists, and senior leadership.
Analytical Ability: Demonstrated ability to evaluate and interpret financial data and other technical information, including proficiency in valuation, financial modeling, and investment structuring.
Communication Skills: Demonstrated superior written and verbal communication skills with ability to build rapport and gain acceptance at all levels of an organization. Strong presentation skills with an ability to synthesize, distill and summarize complex information.
Other Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Possess a balance of analytical ability and social fluency, a sense of urgency, and deep intellectual curiosity. Future focused.
#LI-Hybrid
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$176,000.00Pay Range - End:
$264,000.00Geographic 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.
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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.
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.