Director of Operations

Director of Operations
The responsibility of the Director of Operations is to oversee the network operations to achieve the highest levels of productivity and profitability. As part of the Network Office leadership team, the Director of Operations anticipates the needs of the office, plans for its development, recommends necessary changes, and takes independent action within areas of authority. The Director of Operations subscribes to the philosophy, principles and practices of the Northwestern Mutual and Network Office. Specific responsibilities include but will not be limited to:

Network Office Leadership Team

• Participates in the planning and management of the Network Office staff and their associated responsibilities.
• Makes the strategic connection between the Managing Partner’s vision and what needs to be done to support and achieve the vision.
• Responsible for developing, testing and updating the office’s Business Continuity Plan and ensuring that there is a communication and resource plan in place.
• Leads any change management efforts that impact the operations of the office, with a focus on reducing the expense to revenue ratio, building efficiencies and maximizing performance.

Network Office Operations Support Team

• Recommends to the Managing Partner the skills and amount of support required.
• Directs the interviewing and hiring of quality team members.
• Trains, either directly or indirectly, team members in all aspects of their responsibilities.
• Assures there is adequate coverage through cross training of staff.
• Ensures that annual performance review practices are followed and recommends salary increases and promotions to the Managing Partner.
• Establishes standards for employee records and administers benefits.
• Creates and maintains job descriptions for each position.
• Holds the support team accountable and establishes procedures to document performance problems and, if necessary, terminates staff with less than acceptable performance.
• Creates and maintains employee handbook

Administrative Procedures

• Reviews all home office communication and ensures that managing directors, detached and housed financial representatives and all staff are informed on a timely basis of any procedural changes.
• Establishes and regularly reviews all administrative procedures to ensure that the business needs of the network office and the requirements of the home office are met, and initiates changes.
• Works in partnership with the Managing Partner to plan for agency development, recommends changes in staffing, equipment, office space or layout, financial representative training and support necessitated by development plans.
• Develops and maintains an agency manual of policies, procedures and practices.

Facilities Management

• On an ongoing basis, inspects the office space, orders necessary repairs or recommends replacements or improvements when necessary.
• Establishes, implements and maintains adequate security and safety procedures.
• Recommends alterations in space planning to meet the needs of agency growth. Coordinates moves or expansions as necessary.
• Researches available technology and recommends changes in equipment as necessary.
• Recommends the purchase and ensures proper maintenance of office equipment, furniture, and office supplies.

Financial Representative

• In partnership with the Managing Partner, determines the level and type of administrative support to be offered to financial representatives and the fees for these services. Administers financial representative support programs.
• Provides, directly or indirectly, support to financial representatives in prompt issuance of policies and effective service to policyowners. This will be in the form of troubleshooting, recommendation of home office or agency resources, and new business expediting.
• Assures that financial representatives are trained on agency procedures and best practices.
• In partnership with the Managing Partner, determines the network office’s role in financial representative assistant hiring, training and continuing education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in business or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible work experience.
• Five to seven years of experience in a management position, including hiring, training, planning, financial monitoring, and program development, preferably in a financial services organization.
• Proven Human Resources experience preferred.
• Associate Agent Contract strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead and manage people.
• Demonstrated leadership to motivate and hold others accountable.
• High degree of initiative.
• Superior written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated use of time management skills.
• High degree of organizational skills.
• Ability to take independent action to make sound decisions
• Knowledge of state and federal Human Resources laws.
• Ability to be diplomatic
• Ability to be flexible and open minded.
• Ability to lead change management
• Team oriented

2

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,800.00 - $106,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• West Des Moines, IA 50266: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,800 - $106,000