Vice President – Technology Finance

Overview:

The VP of Technology Finance is responsible for driving financial insight, planning, and performance management for the company’s Technology and Digital functions. This role partners closely with the Chief Information Officer, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, and their leadership teams to ensure that investments in technology, data, and digital applications deliver measurable business value aligned with the company’s long-term mutual mission. The ideal candidate is a seasoned finance leader with deep experience in technology investment analysis, portfolio management, and cost optimization.

• In this role you will oversee company-wide financial planning and analysis initiatives and their interrelationships with corporate strategy, operational planning, and corporate financial planning. Develop and maintain effective relationships with senior leaders across company operations and functions. Be an essential leader for the company's business plans and finance-related activities. Provide value-added proposals and guidance regarding line of business financial planning and expense management activities on culture, corporate processes, and practices. Deliver discrete finance decision support to key stakeholders as needed. Develop and present finance recommendations to senior leaders throughout the company as well as the Executive Senior Leadership Team at Northwestern Mutual.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes for the Technology and Digital organizations, ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy and priorities.
• Support the development of business cases for major digital initiatives, infrastructure programs, and transformation efforts, including ROI analysis, cost-benefit modeling, and scenario planning.
• Drive disciplined capital allocation across technology programs, balancing innovation, modernization, and efficiency.
• Monitor and analyze financial and operational performance across technology portfolios, providing forward-looking insights and actionable recommendations.
• Develop and maintain KPIs, dashboards, and analytics to track technology spend, value realization, and delivery performance.
• Partner with procurement, HR, and project management teams to optimize technology resource utilization and vendor spend.
• Translate complex financial data into clear, concise narratives for executive and board-level presentations

• Serve as a trusted advisor to business units, providing consultative support to drive strategic financial decisions and enhance business outcomes.

• Provide financial insights and recommendations to executive management to enhance corporate financial performance and strategic alignment.

• Partner with senior leadership across the organization to ensure that company spending and resource allocations are aligned with the company's short- and long-term strategic objectives such as Workforce Planning and other key stakeholders.

• Conduct proactive analysis to identify long-term implications of financial trends and operational changes, including workforce planning and resource allocation. guidance to key stakeholders across the company.

• Participate effectively as a member of the Business Finance team, demonstrating transparent communication, effective conflict resolution skills of conflict and prioritization on department-wide initiatives.

• Build and manage a high-performing team including on-going coaching and development of teams, cyclical performance management, and directing daily work.

Team Leadership:

• Build and mentor a high-performing team focused on transformation and business planning.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.

• Provide leadership and guidance to project teams to ensure timely and successful completion of initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required. Finance, Actuarial Science, Accounting preferred.

• Expert financial planning and analysis skills.

• Must have extensive and in-depth knowledge of company operations and culture.

• 12+ years or more of relevant work experience in positions with increasing leadership responsibilities.

• Superior organizational agility, communication, and negotiation skills to maintain strong relationships with all levels of leadership.

• Superior analytical, critical thinking and decision-making skills. Ability to challenge effectively while building strong relationships at all levels in the company.

• Ability to lead people, build teams and improve work processes.

• A CPA or MBA preferred.

Skills:

• Advanced Excel and Expense Management Systems 

• Excellent leadership and team management skills.

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Strong project management skills with a focus on delivering results.

• Proficiency in financial modeling and analysis tools.

• High level of integrity and professionalism.

• Results-oriented with a strong sense of accountability.

• Adaptable and resilient in the face of change.

• Innovative mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.