Sales Practices Sr Specialist

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Summary:

Within the Market Conduct team in Enterprise Compliance, this role resolves complex and sensitive complaints from clients and various regulatory entities regarding the sale or servicing of all insurance and securities products. Investigates sales practice matters and takes appropriate action to address any violations of Northwestern Mutual policies and procedures.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Determines resolutions in response to sales practices complaints filed against the field force involving non-standard and sensitive issues. Complaints involve all products and services provided by Northwestern Mutual (NM). May require extensive research and consultation with the law department and other Home Office experts. Corresponds and interacts with clients and the field, in order to ensure timely resolution of complaints in an efficient, cost-effective and cooperative manner thereby preserving the reputation of NM. File Error and Omissions and bond claims following resolution when appropriate in order to minimize NM's cost of resolution.

• Conducts comprehensive investigations of field sales practices, including suspected fraud, violations of company policy, and FINRA and State Insurance Department laws and regulations. Investigations may include field audits and interviews with field representatives and field staff. Conducts research of state laws, regulatory rules, and company policies and procedures, which may include consultation with lawyers and other Home Office experts in order to determine appropriateness of field activity. Determines appropriate course of disciplinary action, which may include issuing disciplinary letters, recommending fines or the implementation of enhanced supervision, presenting the representative to the Market Conduct Committee for disciplinary action and/or recommending contract termination.

• Ensures that all incidents (complaints, terminations, etc.) are reported to the Regulatory Reporting Team responsible for reporting or to the appropriate reporting regulatory agencies in the proper manner within the time frame dictated by regulation.

• Responds to state insurance department inquiries that are received when a representative is terminated for cause, as a result of a sales practices complaint or investigation.

• Communicates effectively with the field, consistently demonstrating a clear understanding of all Northwestern Mutual products, policies and procedures. Helps the field grow their business the right way by providing guidance and education on compliance and sales practices issues.

• Participates in committees, special projects, divisional meetings, and case studies, as determined by division management

• Assists the Law Department in Market Conduct related litigation, including being deposed and providing court testimony.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree Preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience in Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, or Pre-Law preferred.

• FINRA SIE, FINRA Series 6 and 26 or Series 7 and 24 required or can be obtained within 6 months

• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of relevant experience. Experience in the financial services, Insurance, or Investment industry preferred.

• Proven ability to diffuse difficult clients, resolve conflict, and handle difficult conversations. Ability to understand, influence, and interact with all types of clients, field and home office partners.

• Ability to negotiate reasonable resolutions both verbally and in writing on complex non-standard compliance issues and conflicts, in which no prior precedent may have been set, with policyowners, their representatives, field, home office, and regulators.

• Knowledge of insurance and investment products and operations.

• Ability to solve complex problems; consider new perspective when consulting to multiple stakeholders; exercise judgement based on the analysis of multiple sources of information.

• Case-related travel is required on occasion.

Benefits:

Great pay package, 401K, Company sponsored retirement plan, Educational assistance, Performance based incentive pay, Medical, dental and vision insurance, Parental leave, Caregiver time off....and more

#LI-Hybrid

This position has been classified as a Registered Representative under NMIS guidelines and requires fingerprinting.

Required Certifications:

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.

We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups