Senior Director, Enterprise Risk Governance & Strategy

About the Job

Lead enterprise efforts related to, and be recognized as the enterprise expert for establishment, maintenance, and operationalization of enterprise risk governance frameworks, structures, and practices that provide the foundation for effective risk management across the Company. Advance the integration of strategic risk management within the enterprise risk framework. Drive alignment and execution of these components of the enterprise risk framework in partnership with risk and business leaders across the Company.

Lead the enterprise risk program management capability, including department planning, strategy, reporting, and finance. Contribute to other Enterprise Risk Management & Resiliency (ERMR) functions.

• Lead governance elements of the enterprise risk framework across all risk classes, including risk policies, appetite, taxonomy, and scoring, and support the advancement of the Company’s three lines model and process taxonomy. These elements conceptually underpin risk management across the enterprise.
• Advance ERMR efforts to apply and adapt the Company’s enterprise risk management framework to the strategic risk class, with guidance from the VP
  - Enterprise Risk, Solvency & Sustainability and other members of ERMR and the risk function, and working closely with appropriate business units, corporate functions, and their executives.
• Partner with ERMR leaders, and other risk and business leaders across the Company, to drive alignment and execution of risk governance and strategic risk practices.
• Provide strategic leadership and visioning, and deliver and oversee, holistic strategy, planning, finance, reporting and operations of the ERMR department, including as a member of the ERMR leadership team. Coordinate closely with members of the ERMR leadership team and other risk leaders to align related risk and resiliency work streams / components of the enterprise risk framework. Advance reporting, service delivery, and outcomes to reflect increased responsibilities and complexity of ERMR department.
• Support the continued maturation of enterprise risk governance roles, operating models, frameworks, and practices, including corporate committee risk oversight roles, practices, and reporting to the Enterprise Risk Executive Committee in its role as the senior risk governance structure. Partner with Corporate Governance and risk leaders across the enterprise on overall governance alignment, including with respect to Company subsidiaries, to dynamically, efficiently, and effectively support enhanced risk governance capabilities.

• Bachelor’s degree required; preferred bachelor's or advanced degree in risk management, finance, actuarial, business, law or related field.
• Ten years of progressive experience, including 5 years of progressive, applicable leadership experience with exposure to senior management.
• Three years of progressive risk management experience and deep understanding of the financial services industry and the environment the company operates in, including the unique risk culture of Northwestern Mutual.
• Strategic Thinking:
  Ability to understand the Company’s strategic direction and the connection between strategy and risk management.
• Innovation / Transformation:
  Must be able to operate effectively within, and contribute to, a culture of innovation. Ability to think creatively and identify opportunities to redesign existing processes and/or develop new processes to facilitate transformation within ERMR and the Company.
• Dealing with Ambiguity:
  Ability to effectively cope with constant change demonstrated by specific techniques to redirect own efforts and efforts of others. Includes the ability to help others efficiently cope with change and minimize the emotional impact.
• Problem Solving:
  Demonstrated knowledge of and practical application of multiple problem-solving tools (including a total systems approach) addressing complex and unique problems. Established history of solving problems with effective solutions. Ability and determination to communicate difficult risk information and other situations to all levels of company management.
• Leadership:
  St…