Northwestern Mutual

Director

Northwestern Mutual • $120K — $150K *
Milwaukee, WI 53215In-Person
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
1 month ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in credit analysis with a focus on sovereign and corporate issuers.
  • Master's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or MBA preferred.
  • CFA designation preferred, but not mandatory.
  • Strong analytical and financial modeling skills.
  • Effective communication skills for both oral and written formats.
  • Proficiency with Bloomberg, Blackrock Aladdin, and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

  • Conducts credit research on emerging markets across various issuer types.
  • Executes fundamental credit analysis and evaluates financial health of issuers.
  • Builds financial models for stress-testing and recovery scenarios.
  • Develops and presents investment theses aligned with portfolio strategy.
  • Monitors market and credit events to provide timely updates.
  • Integrates macroeconomic and ESG factors into credit assessments.

Benefits

  • Promotes a culture of respect and high ethical standards.
  • Encourages process improvement through technology usage.
  • Provides opportunities for independent judgment and thought.
  • Involvement in group activities fostering collaboration.
Full Job Description
About the Job:

Conducts fundamental emerging markets credit research across sovereign, quasi-sovereign, and corporate issuers to develop forward-looking credit views and issuer-level risk assessments. Monitors macroeconomic, political/geopolitical, operating, and capital trends across regions and sectors; synthesizes financial and qualitative inputs into clear, actionable conclusions. Builds issuer and country frameworks using scenario and stress analysis; produces concise written research and investment recommendations; and applies data, technology, and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency. Partners across the investment platform to drive a consistent credit philosophy and support portfolio construction and risk management.

What You'll Do:
  • Applies deep expertise in emerging market credit across sovereign, quasi-sovereign, and corporate issuers in investment-grade and high-yield segments.
  • Executes fundamental credit analysis, including financial statement review; cash flow and balance sheet assessment; leverage and liquidity analysis; covenant and capital structure review; and evaluation of management and governance quality.
  • Builds and maintains financial models, including base-case and downside/stress scenarios and recovery analysis, as appropriate.
  • Develops and communicates differentiated investment theses and relative-value views, including buy/hold/sell recommendations aligned with current portfolio strategy.
  • Monitors financial disclosures, earnings, corporate actions, rating agency actions, and market technicals; provides timely updates on credit events and market-moving news.
  • Integrates macroeconomic, political/geopolitical, and ESG factors into credit assessments, with emphasis on governance, policy/regulatory risk, and country-risk transmission to issuers.


GROUP/ ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMIC:
  • Promotes a culture of mutual respect and high ethical standards.
  • Models NM Behaviors: Client First, Powered by Our People, Future Focus.
  • Exercises sound judgment and independent thinking.
  • Leads process improvement through effective use of technology and data science.
  • Responds in a timely manner to requests for data, opinions, and other information.
  • Attends and leads/participates in group activities and engages others in relevant discussion.


What You'll Bring to the Role:
  • Five years or longer of relevant work experience conducting sovereign or corporate credit analysis. Economics background is a plus.
  • Master of Science or Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred. Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on finance, accounting, economics, statistics, or other related area.
  • CFA designation or progress towards attaining the CFA designation recommended (not required).
  • Strong analytical skills, including understanding economic trends, performing financial statement analysis, evaluating cross-sector relative value, and presenting credit recommendations for potential investment opportunities.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to prioritize work.
  • Proficiency with Bloomberg, Blackrock Aladdin, and other programming or data analytic tools is desirable.


Skills You Have:
  • 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.
  • Financial Acumen: Applies the knowledge of financial statements, financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling to ensure decisions are fiscally sound and responsible.
  • Financial Market Monitoring: Consistently tracks and analyzes financial market data and news, evaluates trends and events that may impact investment portfolios or financial decisions, and makes informed decisions based on this information. Stays up to date on economic indicators, market news, and global events, and understands how they relate to investment opportunities and risks.
  • Industry Knowledge: Demonstrates extensive knowledge of common practices, regulatory considerations, market trends and the competitive landscape within a particular industry / sector to better understand and address unique client requirements, challenges, and context.


#LI-Onsite

Compensation Range:

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.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 160 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to millions with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. The company manages billion of dollars of investments owned by its clients and held or managed through its wealth management and investment services businesses. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance).

Northwestern Mutual Careers

Joining Northwestern Mutual presents a unique opportunity to be part of a team that is dedicated to empowering personal and professional growth, innovation, and leadership in the financial services industry. As a company renowned for its commitment to excellence and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, Northwestern Mutual offers unparalleled job opportunities for both seasoned professionals and those at the start of their careers.

Work You’ll Do

At Northwestern Mutual, we believe in building strong relationships not only with our clients but also among our team members. By joining our team, you will collaborate with some of the most talented professionals in the industry, all united in their commitment to leadership and innovation. Our employees are equipped with top-tier benefits and diversity training that ensure their career journey is both rewarding and inclusive.

Explore Professional Growth and Development

Northwestern Mutual is committed to fostering an environment where career growth is not just a possibility but a priority. With a variety of positions available, from financial representatives to internships for budding professionals, our company is a place where your skills and passion can thrive. We provide extensive training programs and leadership development opportunities that prepare you for success in your current role and beyond.

Innovative Work Environment

Our team at Northwestern Mutual is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology and innovative financial strategies to provide exceptional service to our clients. This focus on innovation is not just about staying current; it's about leading the way in the financial sector. Employees at all levels are encouraged to contribute ideas and take initiative, driving the company forward as a leader in the financial industry.

Be Part of Our Diverse and Inclusive Team

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords at Northwestern Mutual; they are integral to our company culture and business strategy. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees can flourish. Our diversity training programs are designed to enhance understanding and foster an inclusive environment for all team members.

Networking and Career Advancement

Networking within Northwestern Mutual opens doors to expansive career advancement opportunities. We encourage our employees to engage in internal networking events, which often lead to mentorship and further career development. Whether you are looking to enhance your resume, prepare for an interview, or step into a leadership role, Northwestern Mutual provides the resources and support to help you achieve your professional goals.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players who are ready to take their career to the next level. Explore the job opportunities and internships available at Northwestern Mutual and find out how you can contribute to our legacy of innovation and leadership.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Northwestern Mutual.

SEARCH NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL JOBS

Join us and start your journey at Northwestern Mutual today, where your career is nurtured, your skills are honed, and your achievements are celebrated.
Learn more about Northwestern Mutual
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Finance & Insurance
* Ladders Estimates

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