VP, Engineering Strategy & Operations

What's the role?

As VP of Engineering Strategy & Operations, you will partner with the Chief Technology Officer and his senior leadership team to drive organizational transformation, implement best practices, manage business priorities, develop an ESD strategy, develop and execute a brand-defining communications plan, manage complex financial priorities and budgets, and integrate cross-functional initiatives. You will be responsible for providing transparency for the group into progress against organizational goals that span across the company. Your responsibilities will include partnering with team leaders, business partners, engineering, Technology, HR and Finance to ensure that the Engineering Solutions Delivery organization and its leaders are set up for success. You will lead a small, but skilled team driving organizational effectiveness and strategy definition and alignment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the ESD portfolio of work is clearly defined and illustrated on one cohesive roadmap that is digestible and transparent to all key stakeholders.

• Key liaison for Enterprise Portfolio Management & Corporate Strategy for executive reporting. Liaise with technology and functional leaders to stay abreast of organization’s collective portfolio progress and opportunities, building a brand and relationships for ESD outside of the function

• Owns contracting and vendor relationships for the department centrally, leading negotiation of renewals with the Tech Vendor Management Office as well as Sourcing & Procurement.

• Establishes internal best practices for strategy and delivery lifecycle, defining consistent processes, selecting and implementing universal tools and driving continuous improvement

• Identifies gaps between ideal and current state of operating model and recommends solutions to close the gaps.

• Develop an identity-defining communications plan that focuses both on internal and external communications, articles, social posts, and conferences to elevate Engineering at Northwestern Mutual as an innovative and exceptional place to work

• Partner with the HR team to develop and manage labor strategy that sets targets for organizational health, use of third parties, and talent/performance management processes

• Facilitates the development of and directs departmental / function strategy execution, ensuring alignment with key business priorities and outcomes

• Leads department/functional strategic initiatives that drive business value. Collaborate, plan and organize with and through people to bridge strategies across teams.

• Drives departmental learning strategy in partnership with HR to deepen business and operational knowledge and mature agile operations, improving efficiency and effectiveness of the organization and shortening time to maximum productivity for new hires

• Fosters cross-departmental collaboration by driving management routines, operational cadences and reporting

• Leads department’s resource management, financial planning and budget management in partnership with HR and Finance

• Pro-actively anticipates needs for a range of broad / complex business problems; comfortable working in an ambiguous environment.

• Establishes and maintains organizational savviness, an executive presence and high level of business acumen in order to unearth issues and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years' leadership experience, preferably some leading technology and/or engineering teams directly, but cross-functionally at minimum.

• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills working with diverse teams

• Experience in strategic and operational planning, and leading multiple complex projects with organization-wide impact

• Demonstrated learning agility and track record developing solutions to complex problems

• Demonstrated ability to work across organizational boundaries, influence, and collaborate with all levels on solutions that benefit the organization

• Exceptional business acumen and data-based decision-making ability, with a focus on the end-user’s experience

• Experience in departmental communications planning and execution

• Ability to translate goals and strategies into executable business plans

• Strong integrity and proven ability to treat confidential information the utmost discretion

$160,580.00

$229,400.00

Please note that this 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.

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.

FIND YOUR FUTURE

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.