Tech Expense Optimization Asst Dir

Summary Northwestern Mutual is seeking an Assistant Director, Technology Expense Optimization to help shape how we invest in and simplify technology—balancing cost discipline with innovation and long‑term value.  In this role, you will partner with Technology, Finance, Sourcing & Procurement, and business leaders to drive transparency, efficiency, and reinvestment across our technology portfolio. You’ll lead high‑impact initiatives, turn data into insight, and influence decisions that directly apply to transformation and strategic priorities.  

This is a great opportunity for a finance‑savvy, business‑minded leader who understands technology and enjoys working across teams to deliver measurable results.

Primary

Duties & Responsibilities Help Drive Technology Expense Strategy Lead key components of Northwestern Mutual’s technology expense optimization strategy

Help shape multi‑year plans that balance run‑the‑business costs with growth and transformation investments

Translate strategy into actionable plans, targets, and outcomes

Deliver Financial Insight & Transparency Analyze and manage technology spend across labor, vendors, software, cloud, and infrastructure

Identify cost drivers, optimization opportunities, and trade‑offs Develop clear, executive‑ready insights to support decision‑making

Optimize Technology & Vendors Partner with Technology leaders to optimize application portfolios, cloud usage, and platform investments

Support vendor negotiations, renewals, and rationalization efforts in partnership with Procurement and Legal Help drive demand management and cost‑avoidance initiatives

Influence Across the Enterprise Serve as a trusted advisor to Technology and Finance leaders

Lead discussions that align cost objectives with delivery outcomes

Prepare recommendations and materials for senior leadership audiences

Lead and Develop Talent Lead and mentor team members contributing to expense optimization outcomes

Establish repeatable tools, analytics, and ways of working

Build strong financial and business acumen across the team

What Success Looks Like Measurable technology cost out as opposed to cost avoidance

Improved visibility, predictability, and confidence in technology spend

Strong partnership feedback from Technology and Finance stakeholders

Clear, credible executive recommendations that drive action

Development of scalable, repeatable optimization capabilities

Qualifications

Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, or a related field6–12 years of relevant experience in technology, business, strategy, or consulting

Experience managing or influencing large, complex work streams

Strong analysis, storytelling, and executive communication skills

Ability to influence across teams and levels without direct authority

Preferred Qualifications Background in large, complex enterprise environments

Vendor management, sourcing, or contract optimization experience

Familiarity with cloud cost management and application portfolio optimization

Skills You Have Accountability:
Takes ownership of commitments, decisions, and outcomes; establishes clear expectations and follows work through to measurable results.

Cross-Functional Partnering & Planning:
Builds productive partnerships across functions, aligns competing priorities, clarifies ownership, and coordinates work toward shared goals.

Problem Solving:
Defines complex problems, identifies root causes, evaluates practical alternatives, and implements solutions that consider financial, operational, and technology needs.

Critical Thinking:
Examines information from multiple perspectives, challenges assumptions, identifies risks and dependencies, and uses evidence to make sound recommendations.

Situational Awareness & Contextual Judgment:
Understands…