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Lead Business Program Manager

Northwestern Mutual
Milwaukee, WI Full Time
POSTED ON 6/26/2026 CLOSED ON 8/13/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Business Program Manager position at Northwestern Mutual?

Summary

Provides highest level of program/portfolio management expertise and consultation to the business in order to meet department, cross-department and enterprise wide goals. Plans, monitors and manages internal business programs from initiation through rollout and ongoing program management. Accountable for aligning one or more large, complex business programs consisting of multiple efforts and/or programs supporting strategic corporate initiatives.

Program Management includes managing multiple different projects within a program / portfolio which incorporate multiple larger initiatives and overseeing programs / portfolios and initiatives which are ongoing.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Independently leads large, complex, and multi-faceted programs or portfolios. Responsible for managing scope, risk, business value, schedule and budget.
  • Defines, maintains, and revises program objectives and deliverables; accountable for defining the program structure and creating a single, unified plan to deliver on program objectives. Manages programs to ensure appropriate allocation of resources according to program objectives, specifications, deliverables, and changes.
  • Accountable for building and motivating team members and influencing them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work. Accountable for identifying and resolving issues and conflicts within the team at a portfolio/program level.
  • Drives for clarity on program objectives, priorities, and measures. Develops solutions/recommendations to unique and complex problems and ensures program solutions are consistent with organizational objectives. Identifies, assess, and mitigates program risks and issues and removes impediments.
  • Develops strong relationships with business clients to manage program delivery expectations and implementation. Manages the resources and vendors assigned to program by verifying progress and removing obstacles.
  • Makes connections across teams and workstreams to drive identification and facilitation of inter-dependencies.
  • Responsible for gathering and delivering metrics required by the program. Uses data to make successes and challenges visible, and to drive insights and action plans to continually adjust and pursue program goals. Leveraging tools and techniques to enable end-to-end value delivery and the best ongoing rollout and ongoing experience.
  • Applies extensive business acumen in depth and breadth of industry, and company initiatives, products complexities, in order to incorporate knowledge into program objectives.
  • Uses extensive knowledge of program management and business requirements to understand the key business drivers as they relate to the programs. Conduct complex analysis to identify scope and nature of program deliverables; programs are intended to solve a department or business need.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in, Business, Project Management or related field preferred OR a significant amount of directly-related work experience beyond the minimum required for the position
  • Minimum 7 years of related experience; diverse project or program management experience to include analysis, design, documentation, project/support management.
  • Ability to work with general direction to scope, plan and manage cross-department or multi-department programs
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large and highly complex assignments including those with enterprise-wide impact.
  • Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
  • Seen as a team player and is supportive of group decisions and ideas.
  • Written and oral communications skills with the ability to build rapport within the company, field and /or outside vendors.
  • High degree of personal initiative and motivation.
  • Degree with a project management emphasis or PMI certification preferred
  • Experience with project methodology through project life cycle phases

Compensation Range

Pay Range - Start:

$108,160.00

Pay Range - End

$162,240.00

Structure 110

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

$118,960.00 USD - $178,440.00 USD

Structure 115

$124,400.00 USD - $186,600.00 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 that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. 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

Analytical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Customer Centricity (NM) - Advanced, Risk Management (NM) - Advanced, Change Adaptability (NM) - Advanced, Emotional Intelligence (NM) - Advanced, Program Management (NM) - Expert, Program Governance (NM) - Expert, Prioritization (NM) - Advanced, Business Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Consulting (NM) - Advanced, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Advanced, Stakeholder Relationship (NM) - Advanced, KPIs & Metrics (NM) - Intermediate, Process Mindset (NM) - Advanced

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

Salary : $108,160 - $162,240

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