Tech Expense Optimization Asst Dir

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.

About Northwestern Mutual

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We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

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
• 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
• 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

• Builds productive partnerships across functions, aligns competing priorities, clarifies ownership, and coordinates work toward shared goals.
• Defines complex problems, identifies root causes, evaluates practical alternatives, and implements solutions that consider financial, operational, and technology needs.

Requirements

• Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, or a related field 6–12 years of relevant experience in technology, business, strategy, or consulting
• Experience managing or influencing large, complex workstreams

Strong analysis, storytelling, and executive communication skills

• Ability to influence across teams and levels without direct authority
• Takes ownership of commitments, decisions, and outcomes; establishes clear expectations and follows work through to measurable results.
• Understands the broader business environment, recognizes factors that may not be explicitly stated, and adjusts approach based on the audience, timing, and stakeholder dynamics.
• Establishes credibility, communicates a compelling point of view, and influences decisions across teams and levels without relying on 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

Pay

Pay Range - Start: $108,160.00 Pay Range - End: $162,240.00 Geographic Specific Pay Structure: Structure 110: $118,960.00 USD - $178,440.00 USD Structure 115: $124,400.00 USD - $186,600.00 USD We believe in fairness and transparency.

It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles.

However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process.

The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

Benefits

• Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do.
• Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds.

Critical Thinking

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

Negotiation & Managing Objections

Navigates challenging conversations, surfaces underlying concerns, and works toward practical outcomes that balance financial value, technology needs, and business priorities.