Northwestern Mutual logo

Sr Director & Actuary – Annuity Product Development

Northwestern Mutual
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    4 days ago

    Job Description

    Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

    • For one or more risk product lines (life, annuities, disability income and long-term care), develop and execute product development strategies that leverage our fundamental company advantages, understand the markets in which the product line is most relevant, and ensure execution in coordination with a broad variety of departments across the company.

    • May assist the product line leader in the development of product line strategies to maximize sales growth and ensure achievement of healthy product line financial results.

    • Continually evaluate and refine the Company's risk products, including developing new products and adding product enhancements and features to remain competitive and increase sales and market share.  This will include both evolution as well as more innovative approaches to risk products.  In addition to core risk products, design and develop solutions for adjacent markets and products, as well as disruptive approaches to the financial security market.

    • Liaison to all levels of the field in order to proactively seek input on desirable products, features, and benefits.  Use field insight, as well as client insight, to design and develop new products and features.  Maintain co-creation with the field throughout the product development process.

    • Provide representation and advocacy for risk product lines in cross-departmental project teams focusing on compliance, supervision, regulatory issues, servicing, marketing and sales strategies, cross-selling and financial security planning, and coordinate efforts where necessary.

    • Analyze competitors' products, features, and benefits to determine how NM can best compete. When warranted, make recommendations that NM offer such types of products, features, and benefits.

    • Ensure that projects are completed to meet schedule, scope, and budget.    

    •  Assist the field and other home office staff on product questions.

    Qualifications:

    • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Actuarial Science, marketing or related field plus a minimum of ten years of experience in insurance product development, competitive research, product compensation, or other areas of the risk product insurance industry.

    • Actuary background required.

    • Demonstrated ability to think and implement strategically. 

    • Proven ability to lead decision making process through idea sharing and consensus building.

    • Demonstrated successful project leadership experience at Northwestern Mutual, or relevant external experience, with a keen focus on aligning project goals with Company strategy.

    • Strong knowledge of risk products.

    • High degree of personal initiative and self-motivation; ability to work on concurrent efforts, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

    • Effective communication skills with the ability to build rapport and gain acceptance of people at all levels in the home office and field; demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver clear and smooth presentations and well as convey information clearly and effectively in written format.

    • Series 6 & 26 required or successful completion within six months.

    Desirable Qualifications:

    • MBA degree, JD degree, FSA designation, CLU designation, CPA designation, or other relevant degree or professional designation. 

    • Fifteen years experience in life insurance product development, competitive research, product compensation, or other areas of the life insurance industry.

    Skills You Have

    • Actuarial Expertise & Financial Analysis: Apply actuarial knowledge and analytical judgment to evaluate product design, financial performance, pricing considerations, and risk.
    • Annuity Product Development & Management: Develop and refine annuity products, features, and strategies that respond to client, field, competitive, and business needs.
    • Strategic Thinking & Learning Agility: Analyze complex issues, anticipate future implications, and quickly build knowledge in unfamiliar products, markets, or business environments.
    • Business Influence & Decision Leadership: Challenge established thinking, build consensus, and influence product decisions across leadership and business partners.
    • Cross-Functional Product Execution: Coordinate stakeholders, manage dependencies, and move complex product initiatives from strategy through implementation.

    This position has been classified as a Registered Representative under NMIS guidelines and requires fingerprinting.Series 26 - FINRA, Series 6 - FINRA

    Compensation Range:

    Pay Range - Start:

    $160,000.00

    Pay Range - End:

    $240,000.00

    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.


    Numbers & Facts

    LocationMilwaukee, Wisconsin
    IndustryFinancial Services
    Company Size5,000 to 9,999 employees
    Year Founded1857
    Websitehttps://www.northwesternmutual.com/

    About Company

    Who We Are

    What we believe.

    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.

    We’re known for our financial strength.

    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.


    Why Work Here

    We’re strong and growing.

    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.


    Our Culture

    We are always evolving.

    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.

    Skills

    • Actuarial Skillsunmatched
    • Analysis Skillsunmatched
    • Annuitiesunmatched
    • Budgetingunmatched
    • Business Administrationunmatched
    • Business Strategyunmatched
    • CLUunmatched
    • Category Developmentunmatched
    • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)unmatched
    • Communication Skillsunmatched
    • Competitive Analysis/Strategyunmatched
    • Competitive Researchunmatched
    • Cross-Functionalunmatched
    • Cross-Sellingunmatched
    • Customer/Client Researchunmatched
    • Design Evaluationunmatched
    • Establish Prioritiesunmatched
    • Financial Analysisunmatched
    • Financial Planningunmatched
    • Flexible Spending Accountsunmatched
    • Insuranceunmatched
    • Leadershipunmatched
    • Life Insuranceunmatched
    • Long-Term Careunmatched
    • Maintain Complianceunmatched
    • Market Shareunmatched
    • Marketingunmatched
    • Marketing Strategyunmatched
    • Pricingunmatched
    • Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
    • Product Designunmatched
    • Product Developmentunmatched
    • Product Managementunmatched
    • Product Programsunmatched
    • Product Strategyunmatched
    • Product Testingunmatched
    • Regulationsunmatched
    • Requirements Managementunmatched
    • Revenue Growthunmatched
    • Riskunmatched
    • Sales Strategyunmatched
    • Series 6unmatched
    • Strategic Planningunmatched
    • Time Managementunmatched

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