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Northwestern Mutual · 2 months ago

Senior Director, Innovation Strategy & Planning

Milwaukee, WI Corporate

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$123K/yr - $229K/yr

Northwestern Mutual is a leading company focused on shaping the future of work through innovation. The Senior Director, Innovation Strategy & Planning will partner with leadership to develop strategic initiatives, coordinate cross-functional efforts, and ensure the effective execution of innovative projects.

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Responsibilities

Help shape and translate priorities into clear, compelling strategy artifacts ranging from decision support materials to vision frameworks and operating plans

Act as a connective thread across initiatives, ensuring consistency in story, insight, and implication

Track objectives, confirm alignment, and translate ideas into structured plans

Distill outcomes, anticipate follow-ups, and shape next steps with calm clarity

Filter the noise from the signal, surfacing only the decisions that truly need escalation

Manage one or more project managers/operations specialists, with potential for broader portfolio operations oversight

Build simple systems that support effective execution without bureaucracy: meeting rhythms, action tracking, light-touch planning frameworks

Remove friction where possible, and elevate only what truly needs executive attention

Partner across the function and the business to support alignment, momentum, and shared context

Build trust with peers and partners, earning a reputation for clarity, reliability, and follow-through

Qualification

Strategic planningCross-functional collaborationProject managementData analysisOperational coordinationStorytellingTeam leadershipCommunication skills