Northwestern Mutual

VP-Finance Technology and Procurement

Northwestern Mutual • $160K — $240K *
Milwaukee, WI 53215In-Person
Finance & Insurance
11 - 15 years of experience
3 weeks ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in technology procurement or vendor management.
  • Experience collaborating with CIOs/CDOs and senior IT leaders.
  • In-depth understanding of technology ecosystems, including cloud and AI.
  • Exceptional negotiation and relationship-management skills.
  • Experience navigating complex, matrixed organizations.
  • Background in insurance, banking, or investment firms preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary procurement partner for CIOs and senior technology executives.
  • Translate technology strategy into category strategies and sourcing plans.
  • Build and sustain trust with executive leaders through proactive engagement.
  • Shape technology investment decisions through early collaboration with IT teams.
  • Define shared success metrics and report on progress to executives.
  • Lead complex negotiations that prioritize enterprise protection and enable scalability.
  • Establish and oversee supplier lifecycle strategies and governance.

Benefits

  • Eligibility for short-term and long-term incentive compensation.
  • Fairness and transparency in salary determination based on skills and experience.
  • Opportunities for career advancement within a high-performing team.
Full Job Description
Summary

The Vice President of Technology Procurement leads enterprise-wide sourcing, vendor strategy, and commercial negotiations across technology domains, with a strong emphasis on building and sustaining strategic relationships with CIO/CDO and senior technology leaders. This role acts as a trusted partner to IT leadership, aligning procurement strategy with technology roadmaps, innovation goals, and business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic CIO/CDO Partnership
  • Serve as the primary procurement strategic partner and day-to-day relationship leader for the CIO, CDO, and senior technology executives.
  • Partner with IT leaders to translate technology strategy and roadmaps into multi-year category strategies, sourcing plans, and vendor ecosystem decisions.
  • Build and sustain executive-level trust through proactive engagement, transparent governance, and clear articulation of value, risk, and tradeoffs.
  • Shape technology demand and investment decisions by leading early engagement and intake with IT teams-clarifying business outcomes, requirements, timelines, and budget assumptions before sourcing begins.
  • Establish and run joint operating rhythms with CIO/CDO organizations (quarterly business reviews, pipeline reviews, and steering committees) to drive decisions, remove blockers, and maintain alignment.
  • Define shared success metrics with IT (cost, time-to-contract, risk posture, service performance, innovation outcomes) and provide executive-ready reporting on progress and realized value.
  • Broker alignment across IT, Finance, Legal, Risk, Privacy, and Information Security to ensure deals are executable and balanced across value, compliance, and operational constraints.
  • Own executive escalation paths and conflict resolution for sourcing decisions, supplier performance issues, and commercial disputes-ensuring fast, well-governed outcomes.
  • Bring external market intelligence to CIO/CDO leaders (pricing benchmarks, contract terms, emerging vendors, platform shifts) and curate executive-level vendor engagement to accelerate innovation and modernization.
  • Lead change management for new procurement operating models, standards, and policies within technology teams through stakeholder communications, training, and adoption measurement.
  • Establish and manage business facing service level agreements, OKRs, and KPIs that drive success for EE&T.


Technology Procurement Leadership
  • Set the enterprise technology procurement vision and multi-year strategy across software, cloud, infrastructure, SaaS, data, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies-aligned to CIO/CDO priorities and business outcomes.
  • Own technology commercial governance and portfolio outcomes, including executive prioritization, financial stewardship (budget impact, TCO), and risk posture across major programs and strategic suppliers.
  • Lead (and when appropriate, personally conduct) the most complex, high-value negotiations and approvals-setting deal strategy, ensuring contract structures and commercial models (subscription, consumption-based, enterprise agreements) protect the enterprise and enable speed, innovation, and scalability.

Supplier Lifecycle Management
  • Define and lead the enterprise technology supplier lifecycle strategy including segmentation, preferred partner models, and build/buy/partner recommendations.
  • Establish executive governance with strategic suppliers through joint business planning and QBRs-driving roadmap alignment, performance commitments, innovation agendas, and supplier issue resolution.
  • Optimize enterprise value while managing concentration, operational, and third-party risk-ensuring resilience, contractual protections, and exit/transition readiness across critical vendors.
  • Architect a healthy vendor ecosystem by maintaining competitive tension, commercial optionality, and a clear rationalization roadmap (standardization, consolidation, and strategic diversification where needed).

Governance & Value Realization
  • Establish procurement governance aligned with EE&T operating models and agile delivery.
  • Track and communicate total value delivered (cost savings, risk reduction, innovation enablement).
  • Ensure compliance with legal, security, and regulatory requirements.

Leadership & Influence
  • Lead and develop a high-performing technology procurement team.
  • Influence senior stakeholders across IT, finance, legal, and business units.
  • Act as a change leader modernizing procurement practices and operating models.

Qualifications & Experience
  • 15+ years of experience in technology procurement, sourcing, or vendor management.
  • Proven experience partnering with CIOs/CDOs and senior IT leaders at an enterprise level.
  • Deep understanding of modern technology ecosystems, cloud platforms, AI, and digital transformation.
  • Strong executive presence with exceptional negotiation and relationship-management skills.
  • Experience operating in complex and matrixed organizations.
  • Experience in insurance, financial services, banking, and/or investment firms preferred.


Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$160,000.00

Pay Range - End:

$240,000.00

This role is eligible for additional short-term and long-term incentive compensation.

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.

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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