At The Zara Group of Northwestern Mutual, we’re driven by a vision of impacting lives today and for generations to come. We are a premier financial services firm dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and businesses to achieve financial security. As CATALYSTS, we inspire our community to plan for tomorrow while living for today—one person, one family, one business at a time.
As a valued member of our team, you’ll be part of a Top 10% District Office in NM for production, recognized as a 2024 Best Place to Work. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the fact that 100% of our Veteran Advisors (5+ years in the business) qualify for Industry MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table)—a testament to the strength of our mentorship, training, and culture of success. We’re also proud to be home to one of the Top 10 Internship Programs in the Country, providing emerging professionals with an unparalleled foundation for a thriving career.
At Zara Group, our core values—Faith, Personal Responsibility, Personal & Professional Growth, Feedback Rich & Generosity—shape everything we do. Beyond financial services, we’re dedicated to giving back, supporting initiatives like Alex’s Lemonade Stand in the fight against childhood cancer and contributing as a Davenport Society Member to the Mizzou School of Business.
Our thriving office is located: 424 S. Woods Mill Rd. Ste 300 Chesterfield, Missouri 63017
Follow this link to hear about a Day in the Life of a Northwestern Mutual Advisor: https://youtu.be/tar1BSa7Gaw
A Glance at Northwestern Mutual (NM):
Northwestern Mutual is a FORTUNE 500® company that provides a wide range of financial services to more than 5 million people. As a mutual company, we answer to our policyowners—not Wall Street. We began in Wisconsin in 1857, and today we’re one of America’s top companies - as was recognized by FORTUNE ® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2024 - with a unique culture deeply dedicated to helping people achieve financial security.
Meet Some of Our Local Leaders, the Heartbeat of Our Business:
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.
About the Financial Representative Role:
As a Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual, you will be part of a team that helps individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals through personalized insurance solutions and financial planning. Your role involves building long-term relationships with clients, understanding their unique needs, and providing tailored financial solutions.
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.
