Full-Time

Senior Director

HR Business Partner

Posted on 9/18/2025

Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual

10,001+ employees

Mutual insurance and financial planning

Compensation Overview

$123.5k - $263.8k/yr

Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship

Milwaukee, WI, USA

Hybrid

Hybrid work arrangement.

Category
People & HR (1)
Requirements
  • 10 years of human resources experience including a Bachelor's degree in HR or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible work experience.
  • Masters Degree preferred.
  • Experience in workforce planning, change management, organizational design, talent management, performance management and strategic and operational planning.
  • Strong business acumen and ability to contribute to the business strategy.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with business leaders to develop, implement and sustain HR programs that enable the achievement of business goals.
  • Excellent consultative, interpersonal/influencing skills, including the ability to build rapport, coach and influence at all levels of the organization.
  • Strong problem solving, facilitation and analytical skills.
Responsibilities
  • Align priorities and work for the ELT member and/or function.
  • Oversee/coordinate the strategic work for the ELT member.
  • Manage the HR Leads in the function being supported.
  • Bring the business/department issues to the HR Department.
  • Member of the HRLT who will help lead the HR Department.
  • Lead complex programs across the organization.
  • Partner with Business Leadership Teams in the development of org/HR strategies to deliver business results to the departments of org designs, talent management, DI, and leadership development.
  • Strategic consultation to the EO/DH and their leadership teams on the people side of the business.
  • Ensure alignment between the corporate HR strategy and the business strategy to build their employee capabilities to meet business objectives.
  • Provide two-way feedback on business needs to the COE's and the rest of the HR organization.
  • Trusted Business Advisor to Department Leadership Team, Transition Planning, Mentoring, Team Building, Performance Management approach, Succession Planning, etc.
  • Partner with HR Consultants in the day-to-day HR support and effective delivery of HR programs and processes. Ensure business leaders engage HR Consultants into work for the function/department.
  • Engage and consult on escalated issues or issues impacting the department head (political impacts or precedent-setting). Areas of leadership will include: talent acquisition strategy, diversity and inclusion initiatives, organizational design, talent Review and talent management, workforce planning, engagement initiatives (Gallup etc.), change management.
  • Serve as a liaison to corporate HR and for HR initiatives and represents the business perspective on HR design or policy discussions.
Desired Qualifications
  • Masters Degree preferred.

Northwestern Mutual provides financial planning, insurance, and investment services as a mutual company owned by policyholders. It offers life, disability, and long-term care insurance plus investment products and wealth management, with financial advisors crafting personalized plans for retirement, estate, and wealth goals. The company differentiates itself through policyholder ownership that aligns interests with clients and a focus on long-term advisory relationships beyond insurance. Its goal is to help clients achieve financial security and growth through a long-term financial partnership.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Founded

1856

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • $400 billion retail investment assets fuel cross-selling of wealth management products.
  • Nearly $2.5 billion monthly cash flow supports acquisitions into alternative investments.
  • Scholarships and $3 million housing pledges boost brand loyalty among younger generations.

What critics are saying

  • NAIC PBR 2.0 drains $3-5 billion surplus from $50 billion LTC book by June 2026.
  • Quantum breaches crack symmetric encryption on $400 billion assets by 2028, sparking lawsuits.
  • SEC Reg BI fines exceed $500 million against 8,000 advisors for annuity cross-selling in 2026.

What makes Northwestern Mutual unique

  • Mutual structure delivers record $9.2 billion 2026 dividend payout to policyholders.
  • 8,000 full-time advisors enable personalized financial planning for long-term client relationships.
  • $2.5 trillion death benefits in force cement largest U.S. individual life insurer position.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Growing your Career

Compensation & Time Off

Insurance plans

Health Savings Account

Wellness programs & resources

401(k) plan and cash balance contributions

Company News

PR Newswire
Apr 14th, 2026
Northwestern Mutual pledges $3M+ to build 90 affordable homes in Milwaukee's Amani neighborhood

Northwestern Mutual has committed more than $3 million over three years to construct over 90 affordable homes in Milwaukee's Amani neighbourhood. The investment supports the company's goal of completing 500 affordable homes in Milwaukee by 2030. The funding is part of the City of Milwaukee's 2026 "Year of Housing" initiative and involves partnerships with Dominican Center, Amani United, Community Development Alliance, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and other local organisations. In Amani, where over 64% of homes were built before 1940 and only 32% of residents own homes, the project aims to expand homeownership and economic advancement. Since 2020, Northwestern Mutual has provided more than $10 million in housing grants across Milwaukee, supporting new construction, repairs, counselling and food access.

PR Newswire
Mar 25th, 2026
Northwestern Mutual ranks 6th independent broker-dealer with $400B+ assets under management

Northwestern Mutual has been ranked sixth among the nation's independent broker-dealers by Financial Advisor magazine, maintaining its streak of top-10 placements for over a decade. The company's gross revenue reached nearly $3.5 billion at the end of 2025, up more than 15% year-over-year. Client assets under management now exceed $400 billion, whilst wealth sales increased more than 18% year-over-year, marking the third consecutive record high. The company's advisor network has grown to over 8,000 full-time advisors and 11,500 team members. In 2025, Northwestern Mutual added over 3,400 new financial representatives in a record recruiting year. The company, which has been operating for more than 165 years, manages more than $780 billion in total assets and serves over five million people.

The Associated Press
Mar 24th, 2026
Sabina Khoja appointed managing director at Northwestern Mutual after 10 years in financial services

Sabina Khoja, a financial advisor with over a decade of experience, has been appointed managing director at Northwestern Mutual, marking a significant milestone in an industry where women remain vastly underrepresented in leadership. Khoja began her career directly out of college, an exceptionally uncommon pathway among financial services leaders. The appointment follows ten years of consistent performance and practice growth, including recognition through a Forbes-ranked advisory practice. In her new role, Khoja will formally grow and lead a team of advisors, focusing on mentorship and expanding access to financial services in underserved markets whilst developing Northwestern Mutual's Atlanta district presence. Research shows women represent a small percentage of financial advisors, with fewer still remaining beyond ten years or reaching leadership positions.

PR Newswire
Mar 23rd, 2026
Northwestern Mutual sees 35% increase in Barron's Top 1,500 advisors, managing $780B in assets

Northwestern Mutual announced that 23 of its financial advisors were included in Barron's Top 1,500 list, representing a 35% increase from 2025. The prestigious, data-driven ranking evaluates advisors on assets, revenue, growth, client retention, experience and regulatory records. The company's field force has grown to more than 8,000 full-time advisors, the largest in its nearly 170-year history. In 2025, Northwestern Mutual recruited over 3,400 new financial representatives, marking its 14th consecutive year of growing veteran advisor numbers. Northwestern Mutual manages more than $780 billion in total assets and delivers financial security to over five million people through insurance, annuities and investment services. The company ranked 109 on the 2025 Fortune 500 list.

PR Newswire
Feb 25th, 2026
Northwestern Mutual hits record $40B revenue, $10B operating gain and $42B surplus in 2025

Northwestern Mutual has announced record 2025 financial results, with revenue exceeding $40 billion for the first time and operating gain surpassing $10 billion. The company's total surplus grew by over $2 billion to exceed $42 billion, driven by strong investment performance and business fundamentals. The Milwaukee-based financial services company declared a record dividend payout of $9.2 billion for 2026, marking a $2.4 billion increase over three years. Northwestern Mutual maintained its position as the largest direct provider of individual life insurance, with nearly $2.5 trillion in death benefits in force. Retail investment client assets reached an all-time high, eclipsing $400 billion. The company's network of financial advisors grew to a record 8,000 full-time advisors. Northwestern Mutual has earned elite financial strength ratings from all four major ratings agencies for 35 consecutive years.

INACTIVE