Assistant Director, Advisor Equity Partnerships

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 131,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC is seeking a senior investment professional to support the sourcing, evaluation, execution, and ongoing management of minority equity investments in independent wealth management firms.

You will lead financial underwriting, develop investment recommendations, coordinate cross-functional diligence, and support portfolio management for a growing advisor equity investment platform.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build and interpret financial and valuation models.
• Experience evaluating investment opportunities for senior leaders or business owners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develops investment recommendations through qualitative and quantitative analyses for equity investments.
• Builds and maintains models to support underwriting, valuation, structuring, and return analyses.
• Evaluates advisor firms and opportunities focusing on growth, profitability, ownership, and succession.
• Leads transaction execution with cross-functional diligence across Legal, Risk, Compliance, Finance, Tax and other stakeholders.
• Supports negotiation, structuring, and documentation of investment transactions.
• Monitors portfolio performance, investment returns, and reporting for senior leadership.
• Researches industry trends to inform investment decisions and program strategy.
• Refines investment processes, underwriting methodologies, and reporting to scale the platform.
• Maintains strong relationships with advisor firm owners and senior leaders.

Skills

Investment analysis

Financial modeling

Valuation

Executive communication

Portfolio management

Project management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics/Business

MBA or CFA progress

Job description

About the Job

Supports the sourcing, evaluation, execution, and ongoing management of minority equity investments in independent wealth management firms. As a member of the Advisor Equity Partnerships team, the individual will analyze investment opportunities, develop investment recommendations, lead financial underwriting and valuation activities, coordinate transaction execution, and support portfolio management and reporting.

The role requires a blend of financial acumen, investment judgment, project management, and executive communication skills. The individual will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate opportunities, execute transactions, and support the continued growth of Northwestern Mutual's advisor equity investment platform.

What You'll Do

• Develops investment recommendations for prospective equity investments through qualitative and quantitative analyses, including written and oral presentations to senior business leaders.
• Builds and maintains financial models to support underwriting, valuation, structuring, and investment return analyses.
• Evaluates advisor firms and investment opportunities through financial analysis, diligence, and assessment of growth, profitability, ownership, and succession considerations.
• Leads day-to-day transaction execution activities, coordinating cross-functional diligence efforts across Legal, Risk, Compliance, Finance, Accounting, Tax, and other key stakeholders.
• Supports negotiation, structuring, and documentation of investment transactions.
• Monitors portfolio company performance, investment returns, and key operating metrics, and supports portfolio reporting for senior leadership.
• Researches industry trends and market activity to develop insights that support investment decisions and overall program strategy.
• Helps refine investment processes, underwriting methodologies, valuation frameworks, and reporting capabilities to support the scalability of the equity investment platform.
• Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with advisor firm owners, industry participants, senior leadership, and internal business partners.

What You'll Bring to the Role

• 5+ years of experience in private equity, corporate development, transaction advisory, valuation, strategic finance, or other investment-oriented roles
• OR 3+ years of experience in management consulting or investment banking with demonstrated success leading complex analyses and developing recommendations for senior executives or business owners.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field
• MBA, CFA designation or progress toward CFA a plus
• Demonstrated ability to independently build, maintain, and interpret financial and valuation models.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate investment opportunities and interpret complex financial and business information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to senior leaders and business owners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management, organizational, and relationship management skills.
• High degree of personal initiative, intellectual curiosity, and ownership.
• Familiarity with wealth management, financial services, or professional services business models preferred.

Skills You Have

• Analytical Thinking - Organizes and compares various aspects of a situation to comprehend and identify key or underlying complex issues through the use of quantitative data and analysis; leverages strong business acumen, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to think critically about situations from multiple perspectives and consistently seeks ways to improve processes.
• Cross Functional Partnering & Planning - Facilitates collaboration, communication, coordination, and planning with individuals and teams from different functions within the organization, and who have different areas of expertise, to achieve common goals.
• Industry Knowledge - Demonstrates extensive knowledge of common practices, regulatory considerations, market trends and the competitive landscape within a particular industry / sector to better understand and address unique client requirements, challenges, and context.
• Program Management - Oversees and is responsible for the realization of larger workstream goals and manages activities that span across the program. Understands technical aspects of the program, defines scope, develops schedules, and manages resourcing, risks, and dependencies to deliver successful outcomes.

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start: $130,800.00

Pay Range - End: $196,200.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110: $143,920.00 USD - $215,880.00 USD

Structure 115: $150,400.00 USD - $225,600.00 USD

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. 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.

Skills

Program Management (NM), Analytical Thinking (NM), Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM), Industry Knowledge (NM)