Senior Leveraged Finance Research Director

Northwestern Mutual; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a senior Leveraged Finance Research professional in Milwaukee to conduct independent fundamental research across sectors and issuers. You will deliver forward‑looking relative value assessments and investment recommendations aligned with portfolio strategy and return objectives, collaborating with analysts, portfolio managers, and traders.

You will lead, mentor, and develop peers, monitor industry dynamics, and produce concise, decision‑useful written research that

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, statistics, or related field.
• MS or MBA preferred; CFA designation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop junior analysts.
• Monitor industry dynamics and develop expert views on profitability and cash flow drivers.
• Conduct thorough fundamental credit analysis of issuers.
• Assess relative value across capital structures and comparable issuers.
• Provide investment recommendations aligned with portfolio strategy and return objectives.
• Produce concise written research articulating credit strengths and risks.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Relative value investing

Financial statement analysis

Cross-sector research

Oral and written communication

Leadership and mentorship

Data analytics and programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/economics/accounting

MS or MBA preferred

CFA designation preferred

Tools

Bloomberg

Microsoft Office

Copilot

Job description

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a senior Leveraged Finance Research professional in Milwaukee to conduct independent fundamental research across sectors and issuers. You will deliver forward‑looking relative value assessments and investment recommendations aligned with portfolio strategy and return objectives, collaborating with analysts, portfolio managers, and traders.

You will lead, mentor, and develop peers, monitor industry dynamics, and produce concise, decision‑useful written research that