Assistant Director Business Project/Program Management

Summary:

Provide the highest level of project management expertise and consultation in in alignment to Product, Sales and Service Capabilities and Enablement workstream and cross department Field and Client Service in order to meet department, cross-department and enterprise wide goals. Plans, monitors and manages multiple internal projects from initiation through completion. Secures required resources and uses formal processes and tools to manage resources, budgets, risks, and changes. Manages projects to ensure on-time completion according to specifications and within budgeted costs. Incumbent is concerned with clearly identifiable elements of large, complex and strategic corporate initiatives.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Independently leads highly complex cross-departmental project/support assignments and/or participates in cross-departmental projects with responsibility for managing scope, risk, business value, schedule and budget.

• Accountable for building teams and motivating project 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 project team at a portfolio/program level.

• With department management, defines the objectives to be accomplished by the project team. With the team, develops the project plan. May directs team members to determine the best methods to achieve the projects objectives. Allocates staff and budget resources required to achieve project objectives.

• Identifies and solves a range of problems. Analyzes possible solutions and assesses each using standard procedures, developing a recommended approach.

• Conducts analysis to identify the scope and nature of a business and/or system problem. The incumbent is responsible for accomplishing the stated project objectives through key project management responsibilities that include building the project requirements and managing the triple project constraints of cost, time, and scope.

• Responsible for developing, maintaining and revising project deliverables. Responsible for gathering and delivering metrics as required by the project.

• At the direction of project manager lead, develops presentations and communications which incorporate a clear understanding of corporate communications theory and practice.

• Identifies alternative options in the development and enhancements for new policies and processes. Incumbent will act as subject matter experts (SME) to build out new processes and systems that help realize efficiencies and cost savings for the division.

• Responsible to manage project risk through the development, maintenance and revision of reports and tracking tools. Using approved methodologies uses all available tools to identify potential problems before they occur.

• Understands the key business drivers as they relate to the projects. Adapts to the various internal procedures and forms close links with the business partner representatives, ensuring that the key issues of cost, time, scope and above all, client satisfaction, can be realized.

• Explains information and persuades others in straightforward situations. Effectively interact, negotiate and influence project teams and business partners to provide acceptable solutions and results.

• Acts as a liaison to facilitate an understanding and partnership between business clients. Manages the resources and vendors assigned to their projects by verifying progress and removing obstacles.

• Gathers and delivers day-to-day progress of a project as it relates to managing scope, schedule, cost and quality in order to support project management decisions and compliance with Company approved methodology and required deliverables.

• Other responsibilities may be assigned as necessary.

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 7 years of multifaceted experience and knowledge in processes and project management to include analysis, documentation.

• PMP or other PMI certification desirable.

• Experience with project methodology through project life cycle phases in an operations environment - customer excellence process improvements, technology innovation (AI), transformation, and risk/regulatory changes.

• Ability to work with general direction to scope, plan and manage cross-department or multi-department projects.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large and highly complex assignments including those with enterprise-wide impact.

• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

• Seen as a team player and is supportive of group decisions and ideas.

• Written and oral communications skills with the ability to build rapport within the company, field and /or outside vendors.

• High degree of personal initiative and motivation.

• Degree with a project management emphasis or PMI certification preferred.

• Experience with project methodology through project life cycle phases.

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.