About the role

Northwestern Mutual (NM) is in the early stages of a bold, enterprise-wide transformation, rewiring how we operate, anchored in our multi‑year vision. We are looking for a Senior Director to join the newly formed Acceleration Office, at the center of this work.

The Acceleration Office is a dedicated team within the Enterprise Enablement and Technology function, with a mandate to drive transformation across NM. This high‑visibility, fast‑paced work requires strategic thinking, agility, and seamless execution. You will operate at two levels: Assist in building the longer-term transformation vision with cross-functional stakeholders and being directly embedded as a problem solver, working alongside teams that are already operating in this new model. This is a hands-on role requiring deep judgment, influence, and the ability to drive outcomes.

What you’ll do

• Drive execution: Lead enterprise-wide transformation workstreams from strategy through execution; ensuring accountability by translating strategic objectives into clear milestones and measure progress against milestones. Unblock dependencies and resolve issues quickly.

• Help define the new way of working: Identify operating model opportunities and elevate to leadership for further definition

• Scale Value Delivery: Establish execution rigor through monitoring key program OKRs and KPIs and sequencing work to deliver the most value to NM quickly.

• Orchestrate parts of the transformational roadmap: orchestrate decision forums and meeting cadences that enable, high‑quality decisions and clear ownership.

• Shape the strategic narrative: Develop and deliver executive-level communications, progress reports, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, translating complexity into clarity.

• Problem Solver: Identify and eliminate systemic barriers, process bottlenecks, and organization friction that impede teams operating within the new model

• Credibility: Build credibility and influence across the enterprise to operate as a trusted advisor and deliver results through influence

What you’ll bring

• 10+ years in management consulting (MBB or Big 4) with experience with operating model transformation efforts strongly preferred.

• Blended strategy‑and‑execution skill set; experience in portfolio/project management, strategic/operational planning, technology modernization, and/or leading complex, enterprise‑wide initiatives.

• Bias towards action, defaulting to making things happen efficiently and effectively

• Comfort operating in a highly ambiguous environment where the playbook does not yet exist, and you may need to even write it yourself.

• Strong cross‑functional stakeholder management and facilitation across business and technology.

• Clear, concise communicator; strong storyteller; confident building and presenting C‑suite materials.

• Ability to drive change, including communications and coaching on new ways of working.

• Data‑driven approach to tracking and managing programs via RAID/decision logs and dependency management; experience building dashboards and reporting on OKRs/KPIs and targets.

• Highly independent self‑starter; thrives in high‑demand, high‑visibility settings; moves fast with quality under tight deadlines while maintaining high integrity and discretion.

• Comfort with ambiguity and leading change; strong business acumen; ability to raise the bar and bring new thinking.