Overview
Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive 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. With nearly $700 billion of total assets being managed across the company's institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $38 billion in revenues, and $2.4 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 109 on the 2025 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2026.
The Executive Assistant (EA) effectively serves as a liaison for internal and external clients (Senior Leadership Team, Advisors, Teams, Staff, and Home Office) on leadership matters pertaining to the Network Office. As an integral, exceptional, and successful member, the EA manages multiple priorities, builds strong relationships across the organization, and consistently delivers accurate, timely, and high-quality results. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, exceptional organizational knowledge, time management and communication skills, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to anticipate executive-level needs.
This position is full-time, direct hire, located in Houston, Texas.
Responsibilities
Executive Partnership & Strategic Support
- Serve as a trusted partner to the Managing Partner (MP), proactively anticipating needs, managing priorities, and ensuring effective use of time.
- Support the execution of strategic initiatives, business priorities, and organizational objectives in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team.
- Track commitments, action items, and key deliverables to ensure timely follow-through and accountability.
- Provide administrative and operational support that enables the MP to focus on leadership, business growth, and organizational priorities.
- Assist with special projects and other strategic initiatives as assigned.
Calendar, Meeting & Communication Management
- Manage a complex executive calendar, including scheduling, prioritization, and coordination of business and personal commitments.
- Coordinate travel arrangements, itineraries, agendas, presentations, reports, correspondence, and executive communications.
- Prepare materials and manage logistics for leadership meetings, offsites, retreats, and other executive events.
- Attend leadership meetings as needed, document key decisions, and communicate action items and follow-up requirements.
- Draft communications on behalf of the Managing Partner, including organizational updates and leadership messages.
Relationship Management & Leadership Support
- Serve as a primary liaison between the Managing Partner (MP) and senior leaders, advisors, staff, teams, and Home Office partners.
- Foster strong working relationships across the organization and maintain effective communication channels.
- Help ensure leadership visibility and engagement across key stakeholder groups.
- Support leadership team accountability by tracking goals, scorecards, and performance-related commitments.
Operations, Events & Governance
- Coordinate and execute meetings, events, incentive programs, retreats, and leadership functions within approved budgets.
- Maintain strict confidentiality while handling sensitive business and personnel matters.
- Manage required licensing renewals and other executive compliance-related activities.
- Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes, efficiency, and overall service delivery.
- Support office culture initiatives, Philanthropy Committee, DEI, and employee engagement efforts.
Success in This Role
- In partnership with MP, hold Senior Leadership Team members accountable to annual goals (monthly timely posting of scorecard).
- Successful execution and management of events and budgets (at or below budget given).
- Optimize calendar management for Management Partner (MP) through proactive feedback, prioritization and efficient implementation of systems.
- Strong Network Office Culture score results (HO Culture Survey).
Qualifications
- Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 5-8+ years of progressive Executive Assistant or senior administrative support experience, including direct support of senior leaders.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Experience managing complex executive calendars, travel arrangements, meetings, and competing priorities.
- Experience preparing executive-level presentations, reports, correspondence, and communications.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational, planning, and time management abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
- Proven ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment, and confidentiality.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness, adaptability, and problem-solving ability.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Experience within wealth management, financial services, banking, insurance, investment advisory, or professional services environments.
- Exposure to financial services industry licensing, compliance, or regulatory requirements preferred.
Benefits
Northwestern Mutual Houston is committed to building a team that loves what they do and creating a work environment that supports long-term career growth. The compensation package includes:
- Comprehensive medical coverage with employer contribution.
- Safe Harbor 401(k) with employer match.
- Annual discretionary bonus opportunity.
- Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay.
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance.
- Dynamic career growth opportunities.
- Employer-sponsored licensing, professional development, and education opportunities.
- Flexible work arrangements, where applicable.
Compensation & Bonus Opportunity
Base salary: $90,000-$110,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
Eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance and execution excellence.
OMNI is honored to be retained in this search. We appreciate your referrals to professionals who may have an interest in this outstanding opportunity. Formal interest accepted through the OMNI Executive Career Portal.
OMNI and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers.
