Assistant General Counsel - Data & Technology

Job Description – Assistant General Counsel - Data & Technology

The Northwestern Mutual Law Department is seeking an experienced, independent, and agile attorney interested in joining a diverse, challenging, and fast-paced practice advising the Company on a wide range of issues as the Company works to transform how clients experience financial security. If you’re a creative lawyer who loves collaborating to solve complicated problems – especially in uncharted spaces – read on!

What's the role?

The Digital and Enterprise Operations Team advises the business to help drive the digital transformation of the Company.  As a member of this team, and working collaboratively with other Department members, this attorney will:

• Be a trusted advisor helping the business, from engineers to executive officers, reach important decisions that mitigate legal and regulatory risks while maximizing business outcomes in a rapidly changing environment;
• Provide business areas with timely and high-quality advice regarding laws, regulations, industry standards, and best practices relating to technology, data, privacy, AI/GenAI, algorithmic models, machine learning, data security/cybersecurity, intellectual property, consumer protection, and other legal and regulatory concerns;
• Help mitigate third-party risk through negotiation of vendor contracts, risk review of licensed technology, and support of data governance and security efforts;
• Support Government Relations and participate in industry trade groups on behalf of the Company to help regulators understand industry impact and influence the evolving regulatory landscape.

Bring Your Best! What this role needs:

Desired background – note that not all aspects are required to qualify a candidate:

• Four or more years of experience as an attorney practicing in-house, at a law firm, and/or with the government (enforcement or regulatory) or an NGO, ideally in the financial services (or another highly regulated) industry;
• Experience advising on overlapping state and federal laws and regulations, including issues related to US data privacy, cybersecurity, and/or data security; data ethics, management, and governance; model governance and AI-related issues; and FinTech/InsurTech, digital banking, digital commerce and supporting technologies; (CIPP/US and/or AIGP (IAPP), CompTIA, or other similar certifications would be a plus);
• General understanding of regulatory priorities and approaches for addressing largely unregulated technologies and processes such as big data, analytic (predictive and prescriptive) models and algorithms, machine learning, and AI/GenAI (knowledge of/experience in the automated underwriting space is a plus);
• Demonstrated ability to proactively monitor and provide effective guidance on the development, evolution, and enforcement of laws and regulations in a rapidly changing commercial and regulatory environment;
• Experience acting as product counsel or similar experience in supporting the development of new products or services, ideally in a highly regulated industry, like financial services;
• Experience drafting/negotiating technology-related agreements;
• Exemplary academic record and a Juris Doctorate degree; note that a license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin or a commitment to become licensed within the first year of employment is required.

Desired personal attributes:

• The scope of this role may change over time to respond to business needs.  The successful candidate will be flexible and adaptable in terms of general skill sets & aspirations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), a highly analytical and curious mind, creativity, comfort dealing with ambiguity, integrity, high ethical standards, and a positive sense of humor.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively in a team environment and to manage a multi-jurisdictional practice and lead efforts involving other attorneys, advisors, and business people from across the enterprise.
• Ability to work autonomously as well and to prioritize multiple competing priorities and tasks.
• A keen problem-solving approach using sound legal reasoning and practical business judgment to identify and address risks and achieve results that balance benefits for all stakeholders of the enterprise.
• Recognition for building, maintaining, and managing strong and positive relationships with clients and colleagues;
• Demonstrated ability to provide real-time, solution-oriented, succinct legal advice to business professionals at all levels throughout an enterprise;

INFORMATION ABOUT NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL AND THE LAW DEPARTMENT:

Of the Northwestern Mutual Law Department’s 130 legal professionals, more than 80 are lawyers who studied at a multitude of law schools and undergraduate programs and came to us from a wide variety of backgrounds and legal practices across the country.  The balance of the Department consists of highly skilled paralegals and research and administrative professionals who support significant aspects of the Department’s operations.  Our Law Department (in every aspect of its operation, including the Law Department Leadership Team, the Department’s practicing lawyers, and the Department’s professional administrative staff) is inclusive and diverse, comprising a rich mixture of men and women who come from a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds and includes people of color and those who are openly gay or lesbian. We take great pride in the collegial and collaborative culture and value each other as people and as professionals.

The Northwestern Mutual Law Department provides the vast majority of legal services in nearly all disciplines directly to the Company, with only select utilization of outside counsel.  There are eight main practice teams within the Law Department: Digital and Enterprise Operations; Insurance Products and Operations; Investment Products and Advisory Services; Corporate; Litigation and Distribution; Enterprise Governance; Private Securities Investments; and Real Estate Investments.  Lawyers have the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the Company’s business needs, and we are fully engaged in the execution of the Company’s business strategy.  This allows us to provide the most timely and effective counsel in an efficient manner and leads to greater career satisfaction for our attorneys, paralegals, and professional administrative staff.

As a mutual company with no shareholders, Northwestern Mutual exists solely for the benefit of providing protection, financial strength, and product value to our millions of clients through the use of robust financial planning and financial solutions that include both risk and investment products. The Company has the highest financial strength ratings awarded to any life insurance company by all four of the major financial ratings agencies.

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

$123,480.00

Pay Range - End:

$229,320.00

220 - Structure 110: 135,800.00 USD - 252,200.00 USD

220 - Structure 115: 142,030.00 USD - 263,770.00 USD

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.

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Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. 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.