Assistant Director Operations Finance

Northwestern Mutual - Milwaukee, WI

Full-time - Mid Level

Milwaukee, WI

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

The position leads business operations, finance, and project management efforts for the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, ensuring the operational health of the Government and Community Relations Department. It involves managing financial processes, collaborating with various teams, and overseeing departmental projects from initiation to completion.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the operational health and functioning of the Government & Community Relations department by collaborating with finance, investment, law, and technology teams.
• Manage resources and vendors supporting the department by verifying progress and removing obstacles.
• Provide expert-level program management consulting, negotiation, and influencing at all levels.
• Work with Community Relations and Finance staff to manage financial processes including check payments, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Northwestern Mutual Foundation board.
• Manage operations of political giving programs including technology needs, budgeting, disbursements, and compliance.
• Prepare and present progress reports to the Political Action Committee board.
• Manage sensitive internal scenarios involving expenditures of Foundation and political giving funds.
• Partner with Law to identify, document, and communicate compliance needs of the Foundation and Government Relations.
• Coordinate and manage efforts of product business owners, product management team, technology vendors, and contractors to address technology needs.
• Independently lead departmental project/support assignments, managing scope, risk, business value, schedule, and budget.
• Support department budget planning in collaboration with department leaders and Finance.
• Oversee daily budget operations and proactively identify and escalate issues to senior leadership.
• Gather and deliver budget metrics required by the department.
• Use data to make successes and challenges visible and drive insights and action plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with an emphasis in finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience in project management and financial operations.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills at all levels.
• Ability to manage sensitive financial scenarios and compliance needs.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in nonprofit or foundation operations.
• Familiarity with political giving programs and compliance requirements.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• 401k retirement savings plan.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Professional development opportunities.