Jobs › Northwestern Mutual

Investment Operations Specialist

Northwestern Mutual · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found a mistake that others had overlooked.

What they are checking: Whether they bring the attention to detail that operational accuracy depends on.

Have you automated a manual task? What did you use and what difference did it make?

What they are checking: Whether they will contribute to the process modernization effort the posting describes.

How do you prioritize when several teams in Finance and Risk need something from you on the same day?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage competing requests calmly and communicate timing clearly.

What would you do

You find a holding that doesn't match between two sources. Walk me through how you investigate.

What they are checking: Whether they look for root causes such as timing, pricing or booking errors instead of forcing a match.

An external party asks for details about our investment holdings. What do you check before responding?

What they are checking: Whether they are careful about sharing information and confirm who is entitled to it.

A regulatory filing is due tomorrow and one data field looks wrong. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they escalate and fix rather than submitting something they suspect is inaccurate.

About the work

How would you reconcile cash positions between an internal system and a custodian statement?

What they are checking: Whether they understand reconciliation mechanics and how to track down each break.

Tell me about your experience with Power BI, Snowflake or advanced Excel.

What they are checking: Whether they have the tools to prepare reports and filings this role names.

What does operational risk mean in an investment operations team, and can you give an example?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how small process failures can lead to real financial or regulatory harm.

Why does data governance matter for an insurance company's investment data?

What they are checking: Whether they see that bad data flows into regulatory reports and investment decisions.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Mutual.

About the Job: Northwestern Mutual’s Investment Operations team supports the management of the company’s institutional investments. Team members assist in operational tasks related to those assets, with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and risk management. What You'll Do: • Assist in monitoring investment portfolios by reconciling cash positions, investment holdings, and critical data attributes to ensure accuracy and timeliness . • Respond to internal and external inquiries regarding investment holdings, activities, and portfolio details . • Help prepare internal reports and external regulatory filings using tools like PowerBI , Snowflake, and Microsoft Excel . • Participate in process modernization efforts, incorporating digital tools, automation, and AI-driven analytics to streamline workflows and enhance data governance . • Collaborate with teams across Finance and Risk and Institutional Investments to ensure seamless operations and alignment with company objectives . • Assist in risk management activities, including conducting basic risk assessments and ensuring adherence to risk policies and regulatory standards . • Support enterprise risk management efforts by identifying potential operational risks in investment activities and contributing to resiliency planning . • Assist in data governance activities, including ensuring data quality, implementing governance policies and standards, and supporting data stewardship . • Ensure accurate, efficient , and timely execution of operational activities across asset classes and managed accounts of reoccurring transactions in public, private, and/or real estate asset classes most asset classes in PI, MSA, NMC and NMRE's public and private managed portfolios including domestic fixed income, common stock, foreign, private placements, real estate equity and mortgage loans. Work with front office to settle transactions. • Collaborate with senior staff members to solve more complex issues and work with custodial bank representatives, brokers, traders, and field offices. • Maintain investment data on various systems, conduct reconciliations, and work closely with Investment Accounting, Financial Management, Law and other related investment areas to resolve issues. • Respond to and investigate cash receivable and payable exceptions. Resolve a wide variety of standard problems. • Stay informed of industry and regulatory changes and developments that affect processing procedures. • A ssist with testing, system enhancements, upgrades, new initiatives and other projects involving procedural and workflow changes and may make recommendations for process improvements. • Ensure adherence to contractual terms and amendments through interpretation and analysis of basic legal documents. What You'll Bring to the Role: • Adaptability and a growth mindset • Skills in data literacy • Basic experience in data visualization or automation software • Attention to detail • Ability to handle data intensive tasks in a fast-paced setting • Bachelor's degree in business with emphasis in finance, accounting, management, real estate or information systems or equivalent related experience. • 1-3 years of related, investment operations experience preferred. • General knowledge of a variety of investment asset types. • Strong verbal and written communication skills . • S trong problem-solving skills and analytical ability . #LI-Onsite #LI-Hybrid Compensation Range: Pay Range - Start: $56,640.00 Pay Range - End: $84,960.00 Geographic Specific Pay Structure: Structure 110: Structure 115: 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.

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