Job Description

Becoming a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual is a unique opportunity to start a business where you can help your clients achieve their goals through financial planning. As a financial advisor, you will: 

• Grow your client base by making new connections, maintaining a strong referral network, and providing a great client experience
• Build personalized, holistic financial plans tailored to every client’s unique needs
• Manage your client’s financial plans to help them achieve their goals 
• Grow relationships with clients to support them through every stage of life

On your path to becoming a financial advisor, you start as a financial representative focused on client-building and obtaining licenses. Our award-winning training programs equip you with the education, skill-building, and development strategies you need to be successful in building a financial planning practice that focuses on: 

Planning Experience · Asset & Income Protection · Education Funding · Investment & Advisory Services · Trust Services · Retirement Solutions · Business Needs Analysis

Northwestern Mutual’s proprietary planning software helps you educate your clients and deliver holistic financial plans—including investments for growth, insurance for protection, and annuities for guaranteed income in retirement—that helps you have a bigger impact on your clients and community. Becoming a business owner allows you to shape your workday around your life and achieve uncapped earning potential through a performance-based compensation structure. 

We believe there’s more than one way to start, build, and grow your practice. As an entrepreneur, you can build your business in a way that aligns with your long-term vision and goals like opening an office, joining a sophisticated team, or becoming an advanced advisor. 

Training, licensing & designations

Northwestern Mutual has been recognized for maintaining one of the best-trained sales forces in the country. We are committed to your continued training and development throughout your career. That starts with our award-winning curriculum designed to support your first three years in the business. In the program, you’ll hear from industry experts, learn the art of client acquisition to drive longevity in the career, and have access to our national network of tenured financial advisors to learn the business through first-hand experience. 

To become a financial advisor, you must obtain the following licenses: Life/Accident & Health Certifications, Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), and Series 6, 7, and 63. Northwestern Mutual provides pre-payment/reimbursement* for course tuition fees and books. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Performance-based earnings and revenue1: 
• Average advisor annual earnings of $61K-$119K (based on 2018-2023 company average for representatives in the first 3 years)
• Top 25% advisor annual earnings of $137K-$250K (based on 2018-2023 company data for top quartile advisors in the first 3 years)
• Additional income structure to support training and early development
• Renewal income earned for continued client support and policy management
• Bonus programs and expense allowances
• Support for insurance licensing, Securities Industry Essentials®, Series 6, Series 7, Series 63, and more 
• Certified Financial Planner® licensing support2 
• Fully company-funded retirement package and pension plan 
• Competitive and comprehensive medical, vision, and dental plans
• Life Insurance and Disability Income Insurance 
• Parental benefits at every stage of family planning

You could be right for this opportunity if you have: 

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Entrepreneurial ambitions to be a business owner 
• History of success in relationship-building or client-facing roles 
• Excellent time-management skills 
• Desire for continuous learning and collaboration
• Proficient critical thinking skills
• Strong communicator
• Strong sense of motivation and drive
• Legal authorization to work in the US without sponsorship 

About Northwestern Mutual

For over 165 years, we have helped our clients spend their lives living through comprehensive and innovative financial planning. We combine the expertise of our financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to give our clients the ability to successfully navigate their financial lives. 

Our tailored, integrated approach includes multiple financial strategies—insurance, investments, and annuities—built to reinforce each other, keeping our clients consistently on track to meet goal after goal. We lead with unmatched financial strength and access to the best products and services for our clients. 

Our Financial Advisors are valued partners and proud business owners. As such, they are considered independent contractors3 for income tax purposes, and a statutory employee for Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax purposes.

As a company, we value an inclusive and belonging workplace where everyone’s unique viewpoints bring new successes. We strive to create teams that reflect our customers and communities, fostering an environment where all employees are welcomed, valued, and heard. 

Why join Northwestern Mutual: 

• Top 5 US Independent Broker-Dealers4 
• Unsurpassed financial strength with total company assets of $366 billion5 
• Recognized for6 Financial Soundness, Quality of Products/Services, Social Responsibility, and Quality of Management
• Fortune 500® company (June 2024) 
• Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity (2023) 
• Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality- Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (2023) 
• 2024 Training APEX Award winner 

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries, including Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC),  Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC  (NMIS)(Investment Brokerage Services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (Investment Advisory Services), a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI.

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