Specialty Markets Sales Support Consultant

At Northwestern Mutual, we are strong, innovative and growing. We invest in our people. We care and make a positive difference.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides highest level technical expertise, advice, guidance and support to Financial Representatives working in the corporate, bank, and/or large case markets.
• Drives, with our technology partners, the design, implementation, and enhancement of all systems that are used for the sales and service of nonqualified benefit plans.
• Enforces corporate market policies with Financial Representatives, field leadership, third-parties and internal stakeholders working in the corporate, bank, and/or large case markets.
• Serves as a resource to other Home Office departments with respect to sales and service of nonqualified and/or qualified plans and life insurance in the corporate/bank market.
• Recognized as a functional/technical and product expert who provides expertise and consultation to the Field and internal departments.
• Independently completes or leads departmental projects and initiatives.
• Provides coaching/mentoring to department staff, team members, operating/service areas, and the Field/Field staff.
• Provides succession support to the Field through case consultation with Financial Representatives, their joint work partners in order to maintain and improve Northwestern Mutual's (NM's) position in the nonqualified executive benefits and large case insurance product market.
• Provides sales support to the Field through case consultation with Financial Representatives, their clients, or third-party advisors representing current or prospective Northwestern Mutual clients in order to maintain and improve NM's position in the nonqualified executive benefits and large case insurance product market.
• When requested, provides in depth and customized illustrations through inquiry and evaluation of the prospect and case information provided by the Financial Representatives.
• Provides in-depth market, product, and case knowledge and expertise in a specialized field (e.g., accounting) critical to the support of the executive benefit and large case.
• Consults with technology partners to direct development, enhancements and maintenance of Next Generation Illustration System (NGIS)/NM's Executive Benefit Software system and, with Advanced Markets Operations, the development, enhancement and maintenance of service support systems.
• Acts as a liaison to Underwriting and Actuarial in negotiating underwriting requirements for large nonqualified executive benefit cases.
• Participates in the design and implementation of training for the Executive Benefit software system /NGIS and the Executive Benefits Seminar, as well as product training. Teaches at the Executive Benefits Seminar and other NM schools and seminars (e.g., Corporate and Bank Markets Seminar).
• Keeps current on developments and legal regulations that may affect the marketing, design, and sale of corporate and bank market plans.
• Assists Sophisticated Planning Strategies and Marketing divisions in the creation and maintenance of technical and point of sale materials pertaining to nonqualified executive benefit plans.
• Acts as a consultant to other Home Office departments on special projects and new products.
• Provides technical expertise to the Compliance department.
• Responsible for annual budget for Specialty Markets division.
• In the VP's or Director's absence, represents Specialty Markets as needed.
• Assists in setting direction for project/support objectives within the department.
• Conducts analysis to identify scope and nature of a complex business/system problem.
• Evaluates and selects potential development and enhancements for new and/or existing systems and processes.
• Uses knowledge of Executive Benefits Software and system software to assist IS in resolving complex technical environment issues and in providing implementation support.
• Challenges the appropriateness of current processes and defines benefits to improving the process.
• Negotiates and communicates with business clients and the field to build consensus, sell ideas and influence change.
• Develops strong relationships with business clients to ensure key communications are addressed and expectations are managed.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of Series 6 license is required. A CLU or FLMI is highly desired.
• Bachelor's Degree with an emphasis in Business preferred or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience considered. Course work or experience in computer technology is required.
• Minimum 8 years' experience / knowledge of business operations/processes to include extensive experience in insurance sales or its equivalent in a home office marketing area.
• Ability to handle ambiguity, exercise judgment and discretion when making final decisions.
• Strong analytical abilities in decision making and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to apply knowledge across complex business areas.
• Proven management skills including negotiating, leadership, delegation, planning and organization.
• Ability to independently lead all phases of a departmental project and/or initiatives is required.
• Proven ability to be responsive to changing business needs, manage and prioritize concurrent assignments, and handle ambiguity.
• High degree of personal initiative and motivation.
• Ability to anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; ability to find solutions for problems that are not well-defined; design thinking perspective.
• Ability to articulate and paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain cross-functional relationships while providing quality customer service and support.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement of customer service and support.
• Ability to build rapport with all levels of the company, field, and/or outside clients through written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to influence change with diplomacy; ability to drive sales while managing risk.
• Ability to lead decision making process through idea sharing and consensus building; strong negotiation skills.

Skills-Proficiency Level:

• Actuarial Science - Intermediate
• Business Development Marketing - Basic
• Cross-Functional Partnerships - Basic
• Customer Service - Intermediate
• Estate Planning Strategies - Advanced
• Executive Benefit Plans - Advanced
• Field Consulting - Advanced
• Financial Advising - Intermediate
• Financial Planning - Advanced
• Illustrations - Intermediate
• Market Research - Advanced
• Product Development - Basic
• Sales Support - Intermediate
• Subject Matter Expertise - Expert
• Technical Presentations - Intermediate
• Training Planning - Advanced

This position has been classified as a Registered Representative under NMIS guidelines and requires fingerprinting.
Required Certifications:
Series 6 - FINRA
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$76,650.00
Pay Range - End:
$142,350.00
Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.
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We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.
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We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups