Summary:

Provides thought leadership and program management expertise and consultation to the business in order to meet department, cross-department and enterprise wide goals. Plans, monitors and manages internal programs from initiation through rollout and ongoing program management. Accountable for aligning multiple large, highly complex, strategic programs consisting of multiple efforts tied to business outcomes.

Program Management includes managing multiple different projects within a program / portfolio which incorporate multiple larger initiatives and overseeing programs / portfolios and initiatives which are ongoing.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Accountable for leading and aligning large, highly complex, strategic cross-departmental/functional programs or portfolios consisting of multiple efforts. Responsible for managing scope, risk, business value, schedule and budget.
• Acts as a thought leader on program management activities; develops strategy for planning and executing highly complex efforts. Defines the direction and objectives to be accomplished by the assigned program team.
• Implement and enhance best practices for optimized program delivery.
• Serves as integration point to support complex, enterprise wide initiatives. Enables and drives cross collaboration across other programs to create alignment.
• Defines, maintains, and revises program objectives and deliverables; accountable for defining the program structure and creating a single, unified plan to deliver on program objectives. Manages programs to ensure appropriate allocation of resources according to program objectives, specifications, deliverables, and changes. Takes accountability for program success.
• Accountable for building and motivating team members and influencing them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work. Accountable for identifying and resolving issues and conflicts within the team at a portfolio/program level. Ensures teams are aligned with our corporate strategy and higher-level vision
• Drives for clarity on program objectives, priorities, and measures. Develops solutions/recommendations to unique, high-impact problems with notable risk and complexity; develops program solutions that have a broad impact on the business and are consistent with organizational objectives and strategy. Identifies, assess, and mitigates program risks and issues and removes impediments.
• Develops strong relationships with business clients to manage program delivery expectations and implementation. Manages the resources and vendors assigned to program by verifying progress and removing obstacles. Provides expert level program management consulting, negotiation and influencing at all levels.
• Aligns all stakeholder leadership on strategy, business priorities, and approach to program delivery.
• Responsible for gathering and delivering metrics required by the program. Uses data to make successes and challenges visible, and to drive insights and action plans to continually adjust and pursue program goals. Leveraging tools and techniques to enable end-to-end value delivery and the best ongoing rollout and ongoing experience.
• Applies extensive business acumen in depth and breadth of industry, and company initiatives and strategy, products complexities, integrates knowledge into program objectives.
• Uses expert-level knowledge of program management and business requirements to understand the key business drivers as they relate to the programs. Conduct highly complex analysis to identify scope and nature of program deliverables; programs are intended to solve a department or business need.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in, Business, Project Management or related field preferred OR a significant amount of directly-related work experience beyond the minimum required for the position
• Minimum 10  years of related experience managing complex programs and working with a range of diverse business areas. Experience in strategic and operational planning and leading large, complex, cross-functional programs.
• Experience in strategic and operational planning and leading multiple large, complex, cross-functional projects with organization-wide impact.
• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven leadership skills working with diverse teams.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills with the ability to build rapport within the company, field and/or outside vendors. Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships among leaders in the Home Office and Field.
• Ability to get buy-in from all levels of leadership in strategic and operational functions.
• Strong short term and long term planning skills, coupled with ability to manage resources to response to business needs.
• High degree of self-motivation with leadership and initiative in sharing information, contributing towards group goals, and accepting responsibility for results.
• Demonstrated organizational agility to work across organizational boundaries, influence, and collaborate with all levels on solutions that benefit the organization.
• Exceptional business acumen and focus on achieving business impact through progressive practices and sound business judgment.
• Strong problem solving and strategic/critical thinking skills.
• Facilitation and team building skills; ability to play an active, operational and communicative role. Interpersonal savvy and comfort interacting with and presenting to all levels of the organization, including senior leaders.

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

$123,480.00

Pay Range - End:

$229,320.00

220 - Structure 110: 135,800.00 USD - 252,200.00 USD

220 - Structure 115: 142,030.00 USD - 263,770.00 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.

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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.