What are the responsibilities and job description for the IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance (IT GRC) Engineering Principal position at Northwestern Mutual?
Summary The IT GRC Engineering Principal is the senior technical leader responsible for architecting, building, and maintaining the systems, workflows, automation, and integrations that power the IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance division. This role transforms manual processes into scalable, automated capabilities and ensures seamless integration across the Information Risk and Cybersecurity (IRC) department's technology ecosystem. The Principal serves as a trusted advisor to the VP of IT GRC and plays a critical role in shaping the technical strategy and execution of the IT GRC division. Primary Duties & Responsibilities Technical Strategy and Leadership Develop and direct the technical strategy and execution roadmap for GRC platforms, automation, integration patterns, and data models in coordination with IT GRC Strategy Lead. Participate in efforts to establish a cohesive automation strategy within the IRC department, driving collective advancements in automation objectives. Align GRC technology strategies with broader organizational functions to ensure cohesive and effective operations. Systems Architecture and Integration Build and implement integrations between GRC systems and enterprise platforms (e.g., CMDB, IAM, monitoring tools), ensuring real-time visibility into risk and compliance posture. Implement and refine system standards, workflow logic, and data schemas to align with the established IT Process, Risk, and Control Framework. Ensure these technical components support consistency, quality, and adherence to existing control requirements. Automation and Modernization Lead the automation of GRC processes such as evidence collection, control testing, compliance reporting, risk scoring, and issue tracking. Drive the transformation from manual governance processes to automated, embedded, and measurable frameworks. Data Management and Reporting Develop data models and dashboards that provide meaningful insights into risk, compliance, and control effectiveness. Ensure data quality, normalization, and consistency across the IT GRC technology ecosystem. Mentorship and Cross-Functional Collaboration Mentor IT GRC analysts, engineers, and process owners on workflow automation, systems design, and technical enablement. Facilitate cross-functional initiatives and the flow of information between stakeholders and other teams. Trusted Advisor and Strategic Partner Act as a critical advisor to the VP of IT GRC by offering technical insights and support for strategic planning, roadmap development, and operational planning, ensuring that technical solutions align with broader strategic goals. As a member of the IT GRC Leadership Team, contribute to identifying and addressing barriers to success by developing and implementing strategic solutions and fostering collaboration across the team. Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. 10-15 years of professional experience in IT governance, risk, and compliance, with a focus on technical strategy and architecture. Leadership experience in managing diverse teams and working across organizational boundaries. Expertise in GRC platform architecture and administration (e.g., ServiceNow GRC/IRM, Archer, OneTrust, Fusion). Proficiency in systems integration (APIs, service buses) and automation design (scripting, low-code platforms). Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels, including senior leaders. Proven problem-solving, strategic, and critical thinking skills. High degree of learning agility, with the ability to anticipate needs and adapt in a dynamic environment. Compensation Range: Pay Range - Start: Pay Range - End: Geographic Specific Pay Structure: Structure 110: $149,380.00 USD - $277,420.00 USD Structure 115: $156,170.00 USD - $290,030.00 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. At Northwestern Mutual, we believe relationships are built on trust. That our lives and our work matter. These beliefs launched our company over 160 years ago. Today, they're just a few of the reasons why people choose to build careers at Northwestern Mutual. What started in Milwaukee, WI has grown into 7,000 home office professionals split across 3 campuses: New York City, Franklin and downtown Milwaukee (HQ) - each one bringing with it its own unique talent and culture. 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 as we are growing our digital and tech capabilities and are always on the lookout for bright, tech-savvy candidates. Northwestern Mutual is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We have chosen to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where talented people from all backgrounds want to be, want to stay, and want to build their future. We celebrate and support our differences for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. 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.
Salary : $149,380 - $290,030