Senior Director, Finance
Northwestern Mutual
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI Corporate
- Work model
- On-Site
- Level
- Staff
- Posted
- Sep 4, 2026
About this role
Summary
The Senior Director is a strategic finance and business leader responsible for driving financial performance, operational excellence, workforce planning, investment governance, and business decision support across a large technology organization. This role serves as a trusted partner to technology, business, and finance leaders, helping shape strategy, optimize investments, improve organizational effectiveness, and deliver business value. The ideal candidate combines deep exp ertise in technology finance and operational management with exceptional leadership, influence, and change management capabilities. Success in this role requires the ability to operate effectively in complex and ambiguous environments, balance s trategic thinking with operational execution, and lead high-performing teams through transformation and growth. Primary Duties and Responsibilities Serve as the primary finance partner to senior technology executives, providing strategic counsel on business priorities, investment decisions, organizational design, operating model evolution, and technology strategy. Translate complex financial, operational, and technology concepts into actionable business insights for executive audiences. Lead annual planning, forecasting, long-range planning, and quarterly business review processes across large technology portfolios. Partner with senior leaders to develop multi-year investment strategies aligned to enterprise objectives. Drive portfolio prioritization, business case development, ROI analysis, and value realization measurement. Identify risks, opportunities, and strategic tr adeoffs while providing actionable recommendations to senior leadership. Establish financial targets, performance metrics, and accountability mechanisms aligned to enterprise objectives . Translate complex technology and financial concepts into executive-level business discussions. Partner with business leaders to improve financial discipline, accountability, and operational efficiency. Lead cost management initiatives while balancing investment, growth, innovation, and operational objectives . Prepare board-quality materials, executive presentations, strategic recommendations, and leadership communications. Build, lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams of finance professionals. Coach and mentor future leaders while building organizational capability and succession strength. Foster a culture focused on business partnership, critical thinking, cont inuous learning, and operational maintenance. Lead teams through change while maintaining high levels of performance and engagement. Represent Finance in executive steering committees, governance forums, investment reviews, and transformation initiatives.
Qualifications
Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, or other business required Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in positions with increasing financial management responsibilities Exceptional people leadership experience managing teams and influencing executive stakeholders. Intellectual agility, analytical and problem-solving abilities and well-developed presentation skills. Ability to develop rapport and maintain effective relationships throughout the Company and influence decision making without authority Demonstrated success partnering with senior leaders and executive leadership teams. Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, strategic planning, and investment analysis. Strong business acumen with an ability to understand and synthesize company-wide results. Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive outcomes across cross-functional organizations. Experience leading large-scale