• Provide expert advice on IT enterprise architecture, best practices, and strategic road mapping for regional customers and prospects • Engage in discussions on enterprise systems such as Oracle and SAP ERP, cloud infrastructure, databases, Java, cloud deployments, and data integration • Assist in building credibility with executives to help the sales team and account management teams secure new business and strengthen relationships with existing customers • Be a rainmaker that identifies opportunities and develops a status of a trusted adviser • Understand and address technical sales objections and concerns from prospects • Act as the regional public spokesperson, delivering presentations at industry events, conferences, social events, boardroom sessions, and roundtables • Generate awareness through educational and insightful conversations in various formats • Collaborate with the marketing team to produce webinars, articles, white papers, media interviews, and other thought leadership content • Continuously create fresh and engaging educational pieces to drive traffic to our website and generate interest in our services

• Manage a portfolio of 28+ member relationships • Leverage subject matter expertise to create service solutions for clients utilizing all ExP products • Define and deliver innovative solutions by assessing member Mission Critical Priorities (MCPs) and developing a customized service plan • Conduct a mix of on-site and virtual briefings, including workshops, research analyst visits, roundtables and webinars • Present or facilitate at ExP events where relevant • Build a strong partnership with Gartner’s Sales organization and collaborate with them to ensure member engagement and renewal of ExP business

• Oversee a team of 15 engineers who build and support the IMPaCT software application • Prioritize, refine, and execute on our technical backlog • Deliver high quality software and maintain/extend the tooling that tests, monitors, and scales our systems • Serve as the primary on-shore production engineer • Lead a small team of security and IT professionals to maintain strong security stance • Guide tech strategy (including AI adoption) with a balance of innovation and fiscal responsibility

About The Job This position is pivotal in executing Northwestern Mutual's Technology Success strategy by leading a team that provides day-to-day technology support to NM's national network of financial advisors. Additionally, this role involves partnering with the Home Office (Corporate HQ) on critical technology initiatives to ensure the Field Technology Operations team is well-equipped to foster a positive technology-enabled client experience (CX) and field experience (FX). By representing the field's voice of customer (VoC), the Assistant Director ensures that product development, deployment, and change plans effectively address pain points and meet the unique needs of the field. What You'll Do Lead and coach a geographically distributed team of technology specialists (TS) to successfully enable effective and efficient technology support. Develop and maintain relationships with Network and District office leadership to understand and address resource and programmatic needs by office. Lead working teams in the strategic design, implementation, and execution of departmental priorities that drive NM's transformation agenda, while also minimizing technology-related business issues. Collaborate with digital products, technology, and business teams on key technology initiatives, providing field VOC and proactively influencing the direction of adoption and support plans. Partner and consistently deliver with peers across Field Technology Operations to establish and sustain best practices for program operations and delivery standards. Continuously assess team performance via quantitative and qualitative measures as appropriate; taking corrective action where needed to improve capabilities, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance customer experience. Oversee team support strategies ensuring high-quality, value-added touchpoints to enable high customer satisfaction. Lead the strategic engagement of major technology integrations and moves with Network Office leadership. Ensuring Technology Specialist are fully supported to execute locally. Partner with 3rd party vendors in the active sourcing and onboarding of technology specialists and consultants. What You'll Bring to the Role Compensation Range: Pay Range - Start: $104,090.00 Pay Range - End: $193,310.00 Geographic Specific Pay Structure: Structure 110: $114,520.00 USD - $212,680.00 USD Structure 115: $119,700.00 USD - $222,300.00 USD We believe in fairness and transparency. It's why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you're living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more. Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now! Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. 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 Escalation Management (NM) - Expert, Business Acumen (NM) - Expert, Financial Services Industry Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Performance Management & Reporting (NM) - Expert, Operational Excellence (NM) - Expert, Project Management (NM) - Advanced, Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Expert, Customer Support (NM) - Expert, Continuous Improvement (NM) - Advanced, Customer Centricity (NM) - Expert, Strategic Vision & Planning (NM) - Advanced, Digital Products (NM) - Advanced, Process Improvement (NM) - Expert, Technical & Digital Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Field Advocacy (NM) - Expert, Prioritization (NM) - Expert, Sales Cycle Acumen (NM) - Expert, Analytical Thinking (NM) - Expert, Business Influence (NM) - Advanced, Stakeholder Relationship (NM) - Expert, Talent Development & Planning (NM) - Expert, Accountability (NM) - Expert, Strategic Thinking (NM) - Expert, Change Management (NM) - Advanced, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Expert, Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Consulting (NM) - Expert 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 our commitment to a culture of belonging. Flexible work schedules Concierge service Comprehensive benefits Employee resource groups