Assistant Director, Enterprise Transformation - Acceleration Office

About the role

Northwestern Mutual (NM) is in the early stages of a bold, enterprise-wide transformation, rewiring how we operate, anchored in our multi-year vision. We are looking for an Assistant Director to join the newly formed Acceleration Office, at the center of this work.

The Acceleration Office is a dedicated team within the Enterprise Enablement and Technology function, with a mandate to drive transformation across NM. As an Assistant Director, you will be a hands‑on transformation leader and problem solver who helps drive priority work from strategy through execution, partnering closely with a Senior Director and cross‑functional leaders across business and technology. Your work will directly support:

• Active front runners already operating in the new model
• Defining and operationalizing the future‑state blueprint for scale
• Launching new teams/solutions aligned to the model
• Connectivity across transformation work streams

This is a high‑visibility, fast‑paced role suited for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly with quality, and brings structure and rigor to complex work.

• Drive execution: Own discrete transformation work streams or workstream components from problem definition through delivery, translating strategic direction into milestones, plans, and clear accountability.
• Support active front runners: Help support teams already operating in the new model by coordinating across partners, identifying friction, and driving follow‑through on priorities that improve delivery and adoption.
• Operationalize the blueprint for scale: Contribute to defining and operationalizing the future‑state blueprint by translating concepts into practical deliverables, actions, and decision points that enable scale.
• Launch new teams and solutions: Support readiness and coordination activities required to launch new teams or solutions aligned to the model, including sequencing, dependency management, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Establish execution rigor: Build and maintain workplans, status reporting, RAID and decision logs, and dependency tracking to create transparency, reduce execution risk, and increase throughput.
• Monitor OKRs and KPIs: Support the measurement and reporting of outcomes using OKRs/KPIs, enabling leaders to see progress, surface trade‑offs, and course‑correct quickly.
• Orchestrate decision forums: Help run meeting cadences and decision forums that enable high‑quality decisions, clear ownership, and fast follow‑through across business and technology partners.
• Shape executive communications: Draft and synthesize executive‑level updates, progress reports, and decision‑ready materials that translate complexity into clarity.
• Be a systemic problem solver: Identify bottlenecks and organizational friction that slow teams down, then drive practical solutions in partnership with stakeholders across the enterprise.

• 5+ years in management consulting (MBB or Big
  4) with experience with operating model transformation efforts strongly preferred
• Blended strategy and execution skill set: Demonstrated ability to move from structured problem solving to hands‑on delivery, including program and initiative execution in complex environments.
• Bias toward action: A pragmatic, "make progress" mindset with the ability to move quickly while maintaining quality and integrity.
• Cross‑functional stakeholder management: Experience working across business and technology partners, facilitating alignment and driving outcomes through influence.
• Comfort with ambiguity: Ability to operate in an environment where the playbook is evolving, bringing structure, momentum, and sound judgment.
• Strong communication and storytelling: Clear, concise communicator who can build crisp executive‑ready materials and synthesize complex ideas.
• Data‑driven execution discipline: Experience using dashboards, scorecards, OKRs/KPIs, and related execution tools to monitor progress and enable transparency.
• Transformation exposure (preferred): Experience supporting operating model change, enterprise transformation, or related work that blends strategy, operating rhythms, and adoption.

Pay Range - Start: $

Pay…