Position Overview

The Director of Learning and Development is a leadership role responsible for designing, leading, and continuously improving the onboarding, training, and development systems that drive advisor success at every stage of their career. This role is accountable for ensuring new advisors experience an exceptional onboarding and training journey, get off to a fast start, and develop the habits, skills, and competencies required for long‑term success.

In addition, this leader owns the firm’s learning strategy across advisors, team members, and developing leaders, including the design and administration of leader development systems. The Director partners closely with the Managing Partner and leadership team to align learning, accountability, mentoring, and development systems with firm growth objectives and talent strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Advisor Onboarding & Fast Start Success

Own and deliver an industry‑leading onboarding experience for new advisors, from pre‑contracting through early career milestones.
Ensure new advisors are launched into their careers with clarity, confidence, and momentum through structured training, accountability, and coaching systems.
Lead and continuously improve early‑career advisor development systems, including accountability structures, mentoring, activity coaching, and development meetings.
Partner with leadership and mentors to monitor advisor progress, learning paths, activity, and performance metrics; provide insights and recommendations to improve outcomes.

Training, Learning & Development Systems

Design and execute a comprehensive learning strategy targeted at advisors of all experience levels, team members, and emerging leaders.
Create and maintain an annual learning and development calendar aligned with firm priorities and communicated clearly to all stakeholders.
Oversee the facilitation of onboarding programs, advisor training programs, ongoing development sessions, and firm‑wide learning initiatives; facilitate where appropriate.
Ensure learning experiences are practical, engaging, results‑focused, and aligned with current instructional best practices and emerging technologies.

Leader Development

Build, administer, and continuously enhance the firm’s leader development systems, including identification, preparation, and development of current and future leaders.
Partner with Managing Partner and leadership team to define leadership competencies and learning paths for growing leaders.
Coach and develop mentors, facilitators, and leaders responsible for advisor development.

Accountability, Mentoring & Performance Management

Champion accountability and mentoring systems that support consistent advisor development and behavior change.
Lead development venues such as mentoring programs, activity coaching, development meetings, and performance reviews.
Partner with leadership to design and monitor development‑related incentives, recognition, and performance milestones.

Operational Excellence & Collaboration

Partner with firm leadership to assess development needs, identify gaps, and implement solutions that improve advisor retention and productivity.
Ensure training and development systems comply with regulatory, legal, and company requirements.
Strive for continuous improvement by streamlining processes, proactively addressing challenges, and adopting best practices.
Participate in home office and peer community meetings; share best practices and contribute to enterprise learning initiatives.

Team Leadership

Direct and develop training staff and facilitators, including selection, onboarding, performance feedback, and professional development.
Set clear expectations, goals, and development plans for direct reports and contributors to the learning system.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in adult education, business administration, or a related field.
5–10 years of experience designing, facilitating, and leading high performance training and development programs.
Prior experience in financial services, professional services, or a sales‑driven organization strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience launching and developing high-performing professionals.
Proven ability to lead, influence, and develop others across multiple experience levels.
Strong instructional design and facilitation skills with the ability to translate strategy into execution.
Passion for developing people, building systems, and driving measurable outcomes.
Exceptional relationship‑building, coaching, and communication skills.
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to track progress, interpret metrics, and drive continuous improvement.
Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities with discretion and confidentiality.

Compensation Range: $80,000 – $130,000 annually

*Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and relevant qualifications. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for:

Performance-based bonus opportunities
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) with company match)
Paid time off and company holidays
Professional development and continuing education support

Northwestern Mutual

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Director of Learning and Development