Communications Strategist

About the Job:

The Communications Strategist manages and develops communication programs, initiatives, and campaigns that align with Northwestern Mutual's strategic corporate communication priorities. This role will support the Product, Purchase, and Claims (PPC) area of the business, bringing communications expertise while partnering closely with subject matter experts in Underwriting and Claims.

The person in this role will collaborate with business partners and stakeholders within Underwriting, Claims, and Strategic Communications to strengthen field awareness, understanding, conviction, and action. This includes developing communications that support underwriting priorities and change initiatives, claims-related education and storytelling, and our industry-leading risk product suite (life insurance, disability insurance, annuities, and long-term care). These activities mainly aim to inform, educate, and influence our financial advisors, and may also include the company's clients, employees, and other stakeholders.

This is a dynamic role where you can directly support top business priorities of the company through thought partnership, strategic counsel, impactful storytelling, and meaningful communications content.

What You'll Do:

• Manage and implement communication tactics, programs, projects, and initiatives that align with strategic direction and priorities through a variety of channels.

• Consult with Underwriting, Claims, and other PPC initiative leaders on communication strategy to design and execute communications plans that support business objectives and documented outcomes.

• Translate Underwriting and Claims priorities, process changes, and operational updates into clear, actionable communications for field and internal audiences.

• Ability to take communications plans and business partner input to develop a variety of compelling content tailored for specific audience segments.

• Desire to learn about the complexities of the insurance and financial services industry, and the unique relationship the Home Office maintains with our exclusive field force.

• Work across Strategic Comms department to ensure corporate channels are utilized appropriately and cross-functional team members are consulted when necessary.

• Administer and analyze metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication and assess the return on communication investment.

• Act as a resource and may mentor/train communication specialists.

• Work independently and receive minimal guidance.

What Experience You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree required.

• 6 or more years of experience in professional communication, public relations, organizational communication, marketing or related communication field.

• Demonstrated skill in project management.

• Superior verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to absorb complex information and convert it to an understandable format.

• Ability to adapt style and build consensus with client group leaders.

• Willingness to lead with a creative mindset and problem-solve within given guardrails.

• Ability to solve complex problems and analyze information from multiple resources to make business decisions.

• Project Management: Delivers projects in alignment to business requirements, specific success criteria, and stakeholder expectations. Plans, manages, and completes projects keeping cost and time considerations in mind.

• Writing & Editing: Creates and edits persuasive content so that it is appealing, understandable, or relatable to the intended audience; Has knowledge of the variety of formats, styles, and techniques for developing and reviewing materials.

• Cross Functional Partnering & Planning: Facilitates collaboration, communication, coordination, and planning with individuals and teams from different functions within the organization, and who have different areas of expertise, to achieve common goals.

• Adaptive Communication: Formulates strategies to be used to convey complex information about services, products, systems, or processes to targeted audiences; communicates and liaises between technical and non-technical audiences.

• Attention to Detail: Focuses on specific details to spot and correct errors in advance of them being found and surpass quality expectations. Performs work with thorough proofreading for presentation, content, accuracy, and overall quality.

#LI-Hybrid, #LI-Onsite

Compensation Range:

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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.

Problem Management (NM) - Intermediate, Strategic Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Advanced, Project Management (NM) - Advanced, Information Optimization (NM) - Advanced, Writing & Editing (NM) - Advanced, Accountability (NM) - Advanced, Attention to Detail (NM) - Advanced, Decision Making (NM) - Intermediate, Business Influence (NM) - Intermediate, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Advanced, Financial Services Industry Acumen (NM) - Beginner, KPIs & Metrics (NM) - Intermediate, Content Management (NM) - Advanced, Interpersonal Savvy (NM) - Advanced, Executive Presence (NM) - Intermediate

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