Sr. Director of PMO, Marketing

We're strong and growing.  In a company with such a long and storied history, this may be the most exciting and important time to be a part of Northwestern Mutual. We're strong, innovative and growing.

We invest in our people.  We provide opportunities for employees to grow themselves, their career and in turn, our business.

We care.  We make a positive difference in our communities. Nationally, thousands have benefitted from our support of research and programs to fight childhood cancer. Each year, our Foundation, employees and financial representatives donate time, talent and financial support to causes they're passionate about.

The future has never looked brighter at Northwestern Mutual, with the company continuing to achieve record business performance, outstanding financial strength, unwavering client trust, and new levels of media attention. 

 

There is tremendous momentum within the organization and to help accelerate our progress, we are making exciting investments in key areas of the enterprise – including our Marketing PMO.

 

What’s the role? 

 

As the leader of the Project Management Office (PMO) within Marketing, you will need to establish a new PMO organization and ensure that projects are performed effectively and efficiently, assuring delivery on time and within budget. The PMO is responsible for developing and maintaining high standards to represent the brand by establishing best-in-class project management methodologies, standards, and tools. It will be your role to communicate to Executive Management on all projects within the program portfolio. 

 

As the Sr. Director of PMO - Marketing, you will supervise the project management process including governance, team leadership, monitoring, prioritization, communication, and quality controls. We are seeking a candidate who has experience in establishing a new PMO, a proven track record of leading successful project delivery against a portfolio of initiatives, an ability to improve project management practices, as well as meaningful team leadership experience.  

  

Responsibilities:

• Establish the PMO role and build a Center of Excellence in alignment with Project Management Institute (PMI) guidelines, quality standards and company requirements.

• Ability to establish a PMO organization from the ground up.

• Planning project management, including setting deadlines, prioritizing tasks, and assigning team members to various deliverables. 

• Analyzing financial data, including project budgets, risks, and resource allocation. Providing financial reports and budget outlines to leadership. 

• Seek implementation efficiencies to meet or exceed the financial expectations established at project initiation.

• Develop, implement, and govern program management processes, dashboards, templates, policies, and metrics.

• Monitor compliance with project policies and standards.

• Manage project deliverables and tasks.

• Coach and mentor project management practitioners and share knowledge of best practices.

• Establish the PMO organization structure, hire and manage project staffing requirements in line with project objectives.

• Coordinate project deliverables with key stakeholders across marketing and adjacent functions. 

• Set annual performance targets for direct reports and conduct performance reviews.

• Oversee Project Managers for the delivery of projects/programs on time, within scope and on budget.

• Provide executive leaders with the information needed to assess and decide which project/programs have the highest potential value, impact, and strategic alignment.

• Direct responsibility for planning, organizing and the direction of the organization's project management office and programs.

• Interface with executives to define project priorities, implementation opportunities, challenges and communicate project risks and opportunities.

 

Qualifications:

• Experience standing up a PMO in Marketing as a new discipline.

• Skilled at managing teams and projects.

• Skilled at managing project deliverables and timelines.

• Expert-level knowledge of project and change management, methodologies, techniques, processes (e.g., Project and Portfolio Management Methodology - PPM).

• Budget, cost, and profitability management skills.

• Knowledge of resource management tools.

• High level of communication and interpersonal skills to nurture and maintain relationships with internal management and collaborators.

• Excellent judgment with proven ability to identify problems and deal with complex issues.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly on challenging, complex, and difficult issues to develop solutions that address root causes.

• Ability to influence without authority.

• Flexible, adaptable, and resourceful when managing changing timelines and multiple deliverables.

• Demonstrated leadership ability to establish and manage a high-performance team.

 

Education & training

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, or related field preferred.

• A minimum of 10 years of project management experience preferred.

 

Benefits:

Great pay package, 401K, Company sponsored retirement plan, Educational assistance, Performance-based incentive pay, Medical, dental and vision insurance, Parental leave, Caregiver time off….and more

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We a re 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.

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Please note: Any wages or wage ranges listed directly on a specific job requisition or posting will supersede corresponding wage ranges listed within Pay Transparency Guide linked above.​

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