Marketing Strategy & Operations Lead

Northwestern Mutual; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 196,000 - 294,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a senior marketing leader to partner with the Marketing leadership team, Chiefs-of-Staff in adjacent functions, and Finance to align business objectives and budgets, drive execution of priorities, and improve operational efficiency.

You will lead Marketing’s PMO, manage department capacity and budgets, and oversee programs aligned with the MYS plan, roadmap, and strategic vision, while strengthening marketing ROI and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in Field Sales & Marketing roles.
• Understanding of sales cycles and product lifecycles and their respective pressures on the marketing organization to drive demand and revenue.
• Persuasive leader with experience driving initiatives with demonstrable outcomes, engaging with executives, and supporting others to articulate a vision.
• Deep analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Prior experience in large, global enterprise organizations; launched and scaled startups, or experience integrating startups in established mature organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Marketing Strategy & Measurement: manage annual planning process, strategic roadmap, KPIs, and executive reporting.
• Oversee Program Management and Planning: coordinate cross-functional initiatives and Head of Marketing initiatives across the enterprise.
• Drive Operations and Communications: ensure engagement and change management, internal communications, and leverage strategic assets.
• Oversee Financial Management: maintain budgeting processes and ROI alignment with strategic goals.
• Build Marketing competencies: develop roles, competency assessments, and a Center of Excellence approach.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven

Executive communication

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Sales & Marketing knowledge

Job description

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a senior marketing leader to partner with the Marketing leadership team, Chiefs-of-Staff in adjacent functions, and Finance to align business objectives and budgets, drive execution of priorities, and improve operational efficiency.

You will lead Marketing’s PMO, manage department capacity and budgets, and oversee programs aligned with the MYS plan, roadmap, and strategic vision, while strengthening marketing ROI and cross‑functional collaboration.