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NM

Sr Dir Field Ventures at Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual No longer available

Job Description

Summary:

The Senior Director, Field Ventures plays a pivotal role in driving field growth and innovation. This strategic leader will collaborate with Regional Vice Presidents (RVPs) and Principals to design and execute robust field growth strategies. This role requires a deep understanding of the industry, ability to navigate complex issues, and a proven track record in leadership and consulting.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate closely with the regional vice president and principals to develop and implement effective field growth strategies that align with organizational goals.
  • Consult with field leaders to recruit experienced producers and develop strategies to retain current advisors, ensuring the sustainability and growth of field operations.
  • Curate and analyze competitive intelligence to guide strategic decision-making.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects, collaborating with various departments to design solutions to highly-complex issues.
  • Leads the deal process from start to finish and ensures the successful execution (up to and including ensuring exit strategies are executed successfully).
  • Oversees the development of complex financial models and projections by analysts.
  • Stay abreast of industry trends and share learning with functional partners to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelors degree in a related field. Advanced graduate degree and excellent academic record desired (e.g. MBA, JD).
  • Minimum of 10+ years of experience in the financial services industry.
  • Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial culture. Critically and logically evaluates costs, risks and benefits of alternatives before coming to a solution.
  • Strong leadership and project management skills.
  • Strong negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
  • Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to draw conclusions and identify and quantify performance gaps.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Exhibit an understanding of economic and other forces affecting the financial services industry.
  • Engages in and models courageous and constructive dialogue; confidence to offer a new and potentially challenging idea to foster conversation and critical thinking; ability to deliver difficult / complex messages and help others understand multiple points of view.
  • Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond quickly and creatively to change and shifting, sometimes competing, priorities. Comfort operating through risk and uncertainty in a high- volume work environment.
  • Proficient in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$140,000.00

Pay Range - End:

$260,000.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$154,000.00 USD - $286,000.00 USD

Structure 115:

$161,000.00 USD - $299,000.00 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.

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 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

Thought Leadership (NM) - Advanced, Customer Centricity (NM) - Advanced, Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Expert, Advanced Analytics (NM) - Advanced, Continuous Improvement (NM) - Advanced, Project Management (NM) - Expert, Field Advocacy (NM) - Expert, Financial Modeling (NM) - Advanced, Accountability (NM) - Advanced, Problem Management (NM) - Expert, Business Influence (NM) - Advanced, Change Management (NM) - Advanced, Economic Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Root Cause Analysis & Decision Quality (NM) - Expert, Business Development (NM) - Expert, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Expert, Interpersonal Savvy (NM) - Advanced, Consulting (NM) - Expert

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
PandoLogic. Category:Marketing & Biz Dev,

Typical senior pay: $115k for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers nationally

National salary averages
Expected senior-level
$115k
Entry
Mid
Senior
Expected
$52k Market range (10th-90th percentile) $157k

Top performers earn significantly more—skill and negotiation matter.

Senior roles pay 69% more than entry—experience is well rewarded.

Hot hiring, constrained wages

Employers are hiring actively, but pay hasn't caught up with demand. Focus on competing offers and non-salary benefits.

Hiring leverage
Lean candidate
Wage leverage âš  Disconnect
Limited
Mobility
High mobility
Durability
High fragility

Why this market feels harder than it looks

This market is hiring aggressively, but compensation hasn't caught up, most openings are backfilling churn, not expansion and many compete as freelancers. Employers are filling roles, but not bidding wages up.

Who this leverage applies to

Stronger for: Senior candidates with options, Remote-capable workers
Weaker for: Entry-level candidates, Career switchers

Where to negotiate

Base salary
Sign-on bonus
Title / level
Remote flexibility
Scope & responsibility
Start date / PTO

Likely Possible Unlikely

Watch out for

Wage disconnect: Hiring is active but pay hasn't responded—negotiate on other terms.
63% self-employed: Traditional full-time roles may be scarcer.

Don't let hiring headlines mislead you—focus on concrete offers. Your leverage may be less durable than it appears—move decisively.

Does this path compound?

Job Growth →
High churn
Growth, flat pay
🚀 Compound
Growth + pay upside
⚠️ Plateau
Limited growth
Specialize
Experts earn more
Pay Upside →
Expertise pays off

Limited new roles, but specialists earn significantly more.

-1%
10yr growth
Most openings come from retirements and turnover, not new positions.
63% work independently—freelance or consulting is viable.
85,500 openings projected annually—mostly replacing retirees and turnover.
Typical: High school diploma or equivalent

Openings come from turnover, not new growth. Differentiate to advance.

Labor data: BLS 2024