Test Lead

Northwestern Mutual

Test Lead

Posted 3 Hours Ago

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Milwaukee WI USA

Hybrid

119K-205K Annually

Senior level

Fintech • Insurance • Financial Services

Start-Up Vibes with The Stability of a Fortune 100 Company.

The Role

The Test Lead provides expert guidance on testing strategies ensuring high-quality delivery and adoption of technology solutions across initiatives. Responsibilities include collaborating with stakeholders leading testing efforts managing change and applying structured methodologies for improvement all while analyzing feedback to drive quality decisions.

Summary Generated by Built In

Test Lead
About the Job
This role provides expert guidance and consultation to support key business initiatives and ensure successful adoption of technology solutions. The Test Lead is accountable for overall results quality outcomes and sustained adoption across assigned initiatives.
You will partner closely with business and technology teams to define work structures allocate resources manage dependencies and ensure high-quality delivery. Acting as a trusted advisor you will help stakeholders understand how initiatives fit into the broader strategy address challenges early and drive organizational change. This role blends test leadership consulting and change management to deliver meaningful business impact.
What You'll Do

Partner with business stakeholders and advisors to understand operational needs and client engagement ensuring testing strategies support adoption and user experience.

Provide consultation on testing strategy quality standards and end-to-end validation approaches for priority initiatives.

Lead testing efforts by defining scope test plans dependencies and execution strategies across cross-functional teams.

Drive change management and adoption practices by applying structured methodologies to improve consistency and effectiveness across initiatives.

Analyze feedback from the field and stakeholders to identify quality risks and incorporate insights into testing and automation strategies.

Collaborate with technology partners to assess the impact of proposed solutions and ensure testing coverage aligns with business outcomes.

Evaluate industry trends and best practices to inform testing approaches quality improvements and future-state experiences.

Serve as an advocate for clients and business partners ensuring solutions are well-tested reliable and aligned to strategic goals.

What You'll Bring to the Role

Advanced degree in Business Finance Technology or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

10+ years of progressively responsible experience in a consulting quality testing or technology leadership role ideally within financial services or a complex distribution environment.

Experience aligning testing and delivery efforts to enterprise strategy and large-scale initiatives.

Strong leadership and influence skills with the ability to guide teams and stakeholders without direct authority.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Strong analytical skills with experience using data and metrics to drive quality and adoption decisions.

Proven experience working cross-functionally with business technology and operations partners.

Skills You Have

Holds self and others accountable for high-quality timely and cost-effective delivery. Sets priorities delegates effectively and takes ownership of outcomes.

Translates complex technical and testing concepts into clear actionable messages for diverse audiences bridging business and technology teams.

Designs and leads test strategies plans and methodologies to validate functional integration and performance requirements across systems.

Defines and guides test automation frameworks and approaches partnering with teams to improve efficiency coverage and reliability.

Collaborates across functions to align testing efforts with shared goals timelines and dependencies.

Builds credibility and influences decisions by understanding organizational needs client impact and the broader business context.

Continuously learns evaluates emerging practices and applies critical thinking to improve testing processes and outcomes.

Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$118960.00
Pay Range - End:
$178440.00
Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
Structure 110:
$130880.00 USD - $196320.00 USD
Structure 115:
$136800.00 USD - $205200.00 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.
Job Posting End Date:
08/31/2026
The timeline for this job posting may be shortened or extended based on organizational needs.
Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!
Nor t hwestern 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.
Skills
Customer Centricity (NM) - Advanced Strategic Thinking (NM) - Advanced Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Advanced CI/CD Processes (NM) - Advanced Talent Development & Planning (NM) - Intermediate Accountability (NM) - Advanced Agile Methodology (NM) - Advanced Business Influence (NM) - Intermediate Analytical Thinking (NM) - Expert Software Test Engineering (NM) - Expert Application Domain (NM) - Advanced Strategic Vision & Planning (NM) - Intermediate Automation Strategy & Implementation (NM) - Expert Adaptive Communication (NM) - Expert Programming Languages (NM) - Advanced Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Advanced
FIND YOUR FUTURE
We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks benefits and our commitment to a culture of belonging.

Flexible work schedules
Concierge service
Comprehensive benefits
Employee resource groups

Skills Required

Advanced degree in Business Finance Technology or a related field
10+ years of experience in a consulting quality testing or technology leadership role
Strong leadership and influence skills
Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences
Strong analytical skills with experience using data and metrics

What the Team is Saying

Northwestern Mutual Compensation & Benefits Highlights

Retirement Support—A dual 401(k) plus cash balance pension provides company-funded credits with a guaranteed minimum interest credit and vesting (one year for the 401(k) and three years for the cash balance). Plan design in 2025–2026 emphasized employer funding via an added cash‑balance credit and a 4% company 401(k) contribution option.
Healthcare Strength—Medical dental and vision coverage are complemented by on‑site Mutual Health Centers (WI/NY) and nationwide virtual primary care. Lyra mental‑health services and on‑site fitness centers or reimbursements extend well‑being support.
Parental & Family Support—Fully paid parental leave caregiving leave and fertility surrogacy and adoption assistance are provided. These sit alongside paid vacation/holidays and volunteer time to support families.

Learn more about Northwestern Mutual's Compensation & Benefits →

Northwestern Mutual Insights

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The Company

HQ: Milwaukee WI

8400 Employees

Year Founded: 1857

What We Do

You’ll Like It Here At Northwestern Mutual we believe that our lives and our work matter. And that doing what’s right is good for everyone. We follow through by designing tech that improves the community and cultivating creative ways to make finance accessible anywhere. These guiding principles have allowed our company to grow for more than 160 years. Here you’ll be with a team who emphasizes integrity and prioritizes security to design experiences that better everyone. You’ll work in cross functional teams to create optimal solutions that are rooted in innovative strategy and thoughtful execution. And you’re provided development tools and opportunities to become a leader all with the support of a collaborative team. You’ll be surrounded in a culture that values innovation and works to always evolve to stay ahead of trends and client needs. We are intentional in seeking out team members who will challenge us. Our employees choose us for the career opportunities commitment to philanthropy and desire to have a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients. You have career passions and goals. We have ambition and opportunity for you to grow your future in tech. Discover today: https://careers.northwesternmutual.com/

Why Work With Us

We invest in our people. We know careers are about choices so we provide intentional opportunity. Here you can build creative ways to make finance accessible anywhere and revolutionize traditional processes. As a mutual company our focus is our people — whether professional development or investments in the community.