The Zara Group - Northwestern Mutual
Woman Changing Careers Seeking Financial Advisor Opportunity
Full Time • Hybrid - US
Benefits:
- Bonus based on performance
- Company parties
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
Women Leaders Wanted: Build a Purpose-Driven Career in Financial Services with The Zara Group of Northwestern Mutual!
Your ability to inspire others, develop people, and build meaningful relationships could make you an exceptional fit for a career in financial services. We are intentionally seeking women from diverse professional backgrounds, including retail, restaurant, hospitality, operations, logistics, manufacturing, education, and healthcare, who are ready to transition their experience into a rewarding career in financial services.
- Leverage Your Strengths: The skills many women bring to their careers, effective communication, empathy, leadership, and problem-solving, are critical in helping clients understand their options, create personalized financial strategies, and feel confident about their financial futures.
- Build Meaningful Connections: If you’ve spent your career supporting, mentoring, or advocating for others, this role allows you to build trusted, long-term relationships while helping individuals and families make informed financial decisions.
- See the Impact You Make: Women often lead with purpose. In this role, you’ll clearly see the impact of your work as clients gain clarity, confidence, and long-term financial security through your guidance.
- Create a Career That Grows With You: Unlike traditional leadership roles, this career offers flexibility and growth designed to evolve with your life. Your dedication and goals determine your path, with opportunities for leadership development and long-term earning potential.
Our thriving office is located at: 424 S. Woods Mill Rd. Ste 300 Chesterfield, Missouri 63017
Meet Our Team:
Jim Zara – Wealth Management Advisor:
- How long with NM? 34 years.
- Prior Experience? Prior to joining NM, Jim graduated from the University of Missouri's Business School.
- Passionate About? Jim is passionate about his family—his wife and their three children. Outside of work, Jim is an avid supporter of Mizzou sports, particularly football and basketball, where he enjoys game days from his suite on the 50-yard line. He loves the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, with memorable trips to Africa and Alaska alongside his son. Jim also values coaching, leadership development, personal growth, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Cassandra Clemens – Director of Recruitment and Selection:
- How long with NM? 4 years.
- Prior Experience? Graduated from Mizzou’s Journalism School in 2010. Spent 3 years selling Personal Lines Insurance before transitioning into a Sales Training & Development Specialist role for a large insurance and travel organization, where she worked for 7 years.
- Passionate About? Outside of business, Cassandra is passionate about traveling and spending weekends at the Lake of the Ozarks, where she enjoys boating. She co-runs an online boutique with her aunt and splits time between St. Louis and Arizona to visit family. She loves being active outdoors, especially hiking with her Chocolate Lab.
Jesstine Kemper – Financial Advisor:
- How long with NM? 6 years.
- Prior Experience? Before joining NM, Jess held leadership roles in various departments within the casino industry, working as a hotel manager, casino floor supervisor, slot supervisor, and marketing manager.
- Passionate About? Jess loves spending time with her husband and their 1.5-year-old son. They recently renovated a historic 1890s home in Soulard and enjoy exploring new restaurants in St. Louis, especially those featuring ethnic cuisine. Adventurous travelers, they are committed to leaving the country at least once a year, her favorite destination is Vienna, Austria.
Brian LaValle – Private Wealth Advisor:
- How long with NM? 22 years.
- Prior Experience? Before joining NM, Brian worked in software sales and engineering. He started his career as an engineer and later founded a small company, where he was responsible for software architecture and selling their products.
- Passionate About? Brian is deeply committed to his family, including his significant other, his four children, and six grandchildren. He loves spending time outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and enjoys relaxing on his property in Bowling Green, MO.
Jakob Junker – Financial Representative:
- How long with NM? 6 months.
- Prior Experience? Before joining NM, Jakob worked in the mortgage industry as a loan coordinator for a large U.S. lender.
- Passionate About? Outside of work, Jakob enjoys spending time with his fiancée Sarah. They love hiking on his parents' farm in Warrenton, MO, with their Pit Mix. Jakob is an enthusiast of trying new microbreweries in downtown St. Louis and enjoys playing slow-pitch softball. He is also a big fan of attending sporting events, especially Cardinals and Blues games.
Key Responsibilities:
- Client Consultation: Engage with clients to understand their financial goals, aspirations, and concerns.
- Financial Planning: Develop comprehensive financial plans that include investments, insurance, and retirement.
- Insurance Solutions: Recommend and implement insurance strategies to protect clients' assets and income.
- Ongoing Support: Monitor clients' financial plans and provide regular updates, adjusting strategies as needed to meet changing circumstances.
- Networking: Build and maintain a network of clients through referrals, community involvement, and professional associations.
Qualifications:
- Education: A bachelor's degree is preferred.
- Experience: Previous experience in financial services, insurance or business development is beneficial but not required.
- Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to build trust and rapport with clients.
- Licenses: Obtain necessary licenses, such as Series 6, 63, and state insurance licenses (training and sponsorship available).
Benefits:
- Professional Development: Access to ongoing training and development programs, including sponsorship for advanced certifications.
- Income Potential: Competitive compensation structure including performance incentives, with no ceiling.
- Support and Mentorship: Comprehensive support from a dedicated planning team, marketing resources, and experienced mentors.
- Work-Life Balance: Flexibility to create a schedule that fits your lifestyle and goals.
- Impact: Make a lasting impact by guiding individuals and families in your community towards financial security and success.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. Jim Zara is a General Agent of NM and not in legal partnership with NM, or its subsidiaries.
Flexible work from home options available.
Compensation: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
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Industry Leading Compensation
Mentorship Program offering new agents the necessary fundamentals
Ongoing Specialized Training
Dedicated In-House Administrative Support
Career Advancement Opportunities
Company Full of Successful Leaders
Collaboration with highly productive peers