Full-Time

Senior Director & Actuary

Annuity Product Development

Updated on 9/3/2026

Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual

10,001+ employees

Mutual insurance and financial planning

Compensation Overview

$160k - $240k/yr

Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship

Milwaukee, WI, USA

In Person

Bachelor's, MBA, JD

Category
Insurance (1)
Required Skills
Product Management
Financial analysis
Marketing
Product Design

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Requirements
  • A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Actuarial Science, marketing, or a related field.
  • A minimum of ten years of experience in insurance product development, competitive research, product compensation, or other areas of the risk product insurance industry.
  • An actuary background.
  • The ability to think and implement strategically.
  • The ability to lead decision-making processes through idea sharing and consensus building.
  • Successful project leadership experience at Northwestern Mutual or relevant external experience, with a focus on aligning project goals with company strategy.
  • Strong knowledge of risk products.
  • The ability to manage concurrent efforts, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
  • Effective communication skills, including the ability to build rapport and gain acceptance at all levels in the home office and field, prepare and deliver clear presentations, and convey information clearly in writing.
  • Series 6 and Series 26 licenses, or successful completion within six months.
  • Fingerprinting is required because the position is classified as a Registered Representative under NMIS guidelines.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and execute product development strategies for one or more risk product lines, including life, annuities, disability income, and long-term care, in coordination with departments across the company.
  • Assist the product line leader in developing product line strategies to maximize sales growth and achieve healthy product line financial results.
  • Continually evaluate and refine risk products by developing new products and adding enhancements and features to remain competitive and increase sales and market share.
  • Design and develop solutions for adjacent markets and products, including innovative approaches to the financial security market.
  • Seek input from the field and clients on desirable products, features, and benefits, and maintain field co-creation throughout the product development process.
  • Represent and advocate for risk product lines in cross-departmental project teams focused on compliance, supervision, regulatory issues, servicing, marketing and sales strategies, cross-selling, and financial security planning.
  • Coordinate cross-departmental efforts where necessary.
  • Analyze competitors' products, features, and benefits and recommend offerings that would improve Northwestern Mutual's competitiveness.
  • Ensure projects meet schedule, scope, and budget requirements.
  • Assist field and home office staff with product questions.
Desired Qualifications
  • An MBA degree, JD degree, FSA designation, CLU designation, CPA designation, or other relevant degree or professional designation.
  • Fifteen years of experience in life insurance product development, competitive research, product compensation, or other areas of the life insurance industry.

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

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • April 2026, Northwestern Mutual committed $150 million to fintech and insurtech startups.
  • February 2026 revenue hit a record $40 billion, with operating gain above $10 billion.
  • Wealth sales rose more than 18% in 2025, and investment assets topped $400 billion.

What critics are saying

  • A July 29, 2026 Connecticut lawsuit alleges harassment, disability bias, and retaliation.
  • The EEOC's August 2026 DEI case forces Northwestern Mutual to expose internal employment practices.
  • If advisors defect to larger platforms, Northwestern Mutual's relationship model collapses.

What makes Northwestern Mutual unique

  • Northwestern Mutual's mutual structure fueled a record $9.2 billion 2026 dividend, reinforcing policyholder alignment.
  • Its 2025 results crossed $40 billion revenue and $42 billion surplus, signaling balance-sheet strength.
  • More than 8,000 advisors and 11,500 team members give it unmatched distribution depth.

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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
Aug 12th, 2026
Northwestern Mutual CEO Tim Gerend ranks 7th in Glassdoor's best CEOs list

Northwestern Mutual's chief executive officer Tim Gerend has been named the seventh highest-rated CEO in America by Glassdoor. The recognition is based entirely on anonymous feedback from employees and financial advisors who rated their approval of how Gerend leads the company. Gerend became chairman, president and CEO in 2025. Under his leadership, Northwestern Mutual recently announced record business performance, including new highs for revenue, surplus position and annual dividends paid to policyowners. The company serves more than five million clients and holds $2.5 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force. It manages more than $450 billion in client assets through its retail investments business, ranking among the top five independent broker-dealers in the US.

PR Newswire
Aug 3rd, 2026
Gen Z and millennials delay life milestones as 72% postpone major goals due to financial pressures

Financial pressures are forcing many young Americans to postpone or abandon major life milestones, according to Northwestern Mutual's 2026 Planning & Progress Study. Nearly three in four Gen Z adults and more than half of Millennials have delayed at least one significant milestone due to financial challenges. The impact is particularly acute for homeownership and family planning. Thirty-one per cent of Gen Z respondents have postponed buying a house, whilst 24% have delayed having children. Among those who have become parents, over 70% spend as much or more on their children monthly as they do on housing. Artificial intelligence is adding to concerns, with 46% of Gen Z and 32% of Millennials pessimistic about its impact on their careers. Despite these challenges, younger generations are responding proactively. Gen Z and Millennials started saving for retirement at ages 22 and 28 respectively, years earlier than previous generations, and seek professional financial guidance at higher rates.

Associated Press
Jul 13th, 2026
60% of Americans say poor money habits are a relationship dealbreaker, gambling tops red flags

Northwestern Mutual's 2026 Planning & Progress Study reveals that 60% of Americans consider poor money habits a dealbreaker in new relationships. Excessive gambling and risk-taking rank as the top financial red flag, followed by hiding purchases and high credit card debt. Among Gen Z couples, 41% report money arguments are seriously straining their relationships. Financial compatibility has emerged as more important than emotional chemistry, physical attraction, or shared interests for maintaining successful long-term relationships. Single Americans seeking partners who earn money expect an average income of $139,000 annually, with women's expectations ($172,000) significantly exceeding men's ($101,000). Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe couples should discuss finances well before marriage or cohabitation, though 19% of married couples delayed these conversations until after major milestones. The survey included 4,375 US adults, conducted online between 5–21 January 2026.

PR Newswire
Jul 13th, 2026
60% of Americans say poor money habits are dealbreakers in relationships, Northwestern Mutual study finds

Sixty percent of Americans consider poor money habits a dealbreaker in new relationships, with excessive gambling and risk-taking ranking as the top financial red flag, according to Northwestern Mutual's 2026 Planning & Progress Study. Financial stress particularly affects younger couples, with 41% of Gen Z pairs reporting money arguments strain their relationships. Among single Americans who value partner income, ideal earnings average $139,000 annually, though expectations differ sharply by gender: women prefer partners earning $172,000 whilst men seek $101,000. Couples in serious relationships prioritise financial compatibility over emotional chemistry, physical attraction, and shared interests. Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe financial discussions should occur well before marriage or cohabitation, though 19% of married couples delayed these conversations until after major milestones. The study surveyed 4,375 US adults aged 18 and older between January 5 and January 21, 2026.

PR Newswire
Jun 11th, 2026
53% of millennials not financially independent from parents, average age now 37

More than half of millennials (53%) are not fully financially independent from their parents, according to Northwestern Mutual's 2025 Consumer Sentiment Survey. Americans now expect to achieve financial independence at age 37 on average. Record housing costs, student loan debt and gaps in financial preparedness are the primary obstacles. Among millennials, 43% lack a retirement account, 66% don't have an emergency fund, and 31% lack savings accounts altogether. Meanwhile, 74% of parents are considering or planning to provide financial support to help their children move out. The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll between 5 and 21 January 2026, included 4,375 US adults aged 18 or older. Northwestern Mutual's chief strategy officer called the findings "a massive wake-up call for America".