At Northwestern Mutual, we are strong, innovative and growing. We invest in our people. We care and make a positive difference.

Assistant Director Data Science & Analytics Job Description

At Northwestern Mutual, we’re changing the way people think about financial planning with the scale of a Fortune 100 company. We’re redefining and reinventing the industry while changing people’s financial lives with better experiences and better technology. We believe in building inclusive and diverse workplaces, where every voice is heard. Come help us build for the future!

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

Who We Are

Data Science and Analytics plays a key role in the Core Data and Analytics (CDA) organization. We leverage data to provide key insights, business intelligence and data science products that advance NM's strategic priorities.

Role And Responsibilities

As Assistant Director Data Science & Analytics, you will be a part of the Claims team. This workstream includes predictive models, dashboards, and analytics solutions to improve efficiency across the claims ecosystem and provide differentiated advice & critical capabilities to achieve cost savings & reduced cycle times. Our successful candidate will be able to lead the team in applying and integrating advanced statistical, mathematical, data mining, predictive modeling, and business analysis to discover and identify new insights. You will advance the work by helping to turn those insights into actionable outcomes. Through team exposure and interaction with business clients, you will be able to influence others by telling a story through data. You will share best practices with peers through coaching and mentoring around core methodologies, patterns, standards and processes.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Apply analytical and business knowledge in real-world setting to solve sophisticated problems
• Apply creative problem solving to address data and information needs
• Present findings in a professional manner to leaders in the organization
• Provides leadership and direction to analytics teams on quantitative and qualitative data analysis and reporting of patterns, insights, and trends to decision-makers in order to drive business decisions and address business questions.
• Accountable for the performance and results of team
• Takes initiatives to design and develop deliverables based on interpretation of findings and business client needs.
• Summarizes analysis into user-friendly deliverables by translating detailed data into business-appropriate communication and recommendations.
• Mentors, guides and coaches team members within their division for job performance as well as technical and leadership growth.
• Recruits, hires and onboard talent, ensuring the right mix of talent within the team that is excited to drive outcomes.
• Partner with other teams across the enterprise to ensure aligned outcomes in matrixed environment.
• Delivers results, insights and recommendations (written, verbal, presentations, etc.) to business audience to support business decisions.
• Contributes to the growth & development of the NMDSI, to champion internal and external partnership.
• Leads the development of appropriate critical metric frameworks, aligning understanding of business process, and measurement to support operations and/or strategy.
• Applies analytics and metrics to improve processes and provide data-driven forecasts that impact the business (costs, risks, etc).
• Lead data scientists, analysts, and engineers to apply and integrate advanced statistical, mathematical, data mining, predictive modeling and business analysis skills and techniques.
• Creates forecasts, recommendations and strategic/tactical plans based on business data and market knowledge. Applies analytics and metrics to improve processes and provide data-driven forecasts that impact the business (costs, risks, etc).
• Lead production of actionable reports that show key performance indicators, identify areas of improvement into current operations, display root cause analysis of problems, and recommend solutions.
• Coordinates with analysts on ensuring visualization & design strategies are considered & applied.
• Creates and is accountable for high quality, value driven work that drives business outcomes; places the user in the center of decision making; and collaborates with team for speed, agility and innovation in work.
• Applies new perspectives, creative problem solving, and inter-departmental connections to improve enterprise analytical capabilities.
• Monitor team performance and results through quantitative and qualitative measures of value, outcome, velocity, engagement, and satisfaction.
• Fosters an environment of continuous learning, curiosity, and ambiguity.
• Develop and grow the team(s) through training, mentoring, and coaching while also supplementing staff as needed.
  
  

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Econometrics preferred with relevant work experience
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, SQL, or R
• Proficiency in cloud environments like Azure, AWS, or GCP including model deployment preferred
• Passion for problem solving, research, quantitative analysis, and analytical working techniques
• Extremely organized with high attention to details
• Excellent time and project management skills, with the ability to manage detail work and communicate project status effectively to all levels
• Proven track record in meeting aggressive deadlines
• At least 6 years of professional data science or analytics experience
• 5+ years of experience managing, building and deploying analytics & data science
• Business Analysis skills to understand business processes and data flow; ability to inject data to solve business problems
• Developing critical metric Frameworks
• Lead and manage to key business deliverables
• Drive out strategy and thought leadership jointly with the business partners
• Understand relationship between data science, business processes, and KPI's
• Ability to manage and lead analysts & data scientists
• Proven track record to establish trust, negotiate, gain the confidence and work successfully with business leaders across the company
• Proven track record to lead decision making process through idea sharing and consensus building; experience in coaching and mentoring staff members
• Proven track record in meeting aggressive deadlines
• Prioritizes work to drive business value
• Proven management skills including negotiating, leadership, delegation, planning, and organization
• Identifying data requirements for analytical needs
  
  

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.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Compensation Range

Pay Range - Start:

$146,440.00

Pay Range - End

$271,960.00

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting 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.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our client’s interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

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.

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups