Benefits:

Retirement

Company parties

Dental insurance

Flexible schedule

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Training & development

Vision insurance

Transition Your Teaching Skills into Financial Services:

Leverage Your Communication Expertise: Educators excel in financial services because they have the confidence and communication skills needed to guide clients through important decisions that can shape their financial futures.

Build Lifelong Relationships: While educators often lose touch with students as they move into new life stages, financial services allow you to maintain close, long-term relationships with clients, helping them at every stage of life.

See the Impact of Your Work: Just as you’ve witnessed the difference you made in the classroom, this career offers the chance to see how your guidance positively affects clients’ lives, both now and in the future.

Achieve Greater Rewards: Transitioning into financial services can offer not only a more rewarding career path but often greater financial opportunities as well.

Position Responsibilities for a Financial Advisor:

Educate clients on financial planning and insurance solutions.

Provide excellent customer service and build lasting relationships.

Collaborate with a local supportive team.

Position Requirements:

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Goal-oriented with a desire to succeed.

Life insurance license and FINRA certifications (or willingness to obtain).

Funk Group Mission/Vision/Values:

Mission: To create financially secure communities while giving back to local causes and making a meaningful impact through both financial support and volunteer efforts.

Vision: To empower individuals to build a secure financial future and contribute to community-driven initiatives that strengthen the bonds within the local area.

Core Values: Community, impact, integrity, service, and collaboration.

Position Perks:

Significant bonus opportunity commensurate with outcomes

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Ongoing professional development

Local culture of support and positive recognition

Meet Our Local Leaders:

Mark Funk - Managing Director:

How long with NM? 26 years

Prior Experience? Started with Northwestern Mutual in college as an intern while pursuing his finance degree.

Passionate About? He and his wife love to travel and spend time with their family at their properties in Montana and Florida. Mark also enjoys playing golf and hunting at his cabin in Northeast Iowa.

Nick Jans - Wealth Management Advisor:

How long with NM? 2 years as an intern and 11.5 years full-time

Prior Experience? Studied Business at UNI and worked at Scheels.

Passionate About? Nick’s central focus outside of work is his family life – he and his wife Kelly have been married almost 10 years, and they have three kids: Talon (5), Brooks (3), and Navy (1). He is also very passionate about bow hunting, land management, and fly fishing. Nick enjoys anything outdoors.

Eric Sikkema - Wealth Management Advisor:

How long with NM? 12.5 years with Northwestern Mutual

Prior Experience? Worked for a golf course before joining Northwestern Mutual.

Passionate About? Eric enjoys travel, spending quality family time, participating in sports, and golfing.

Owen Ward - Certified Financial Planner:

How long with NM? 7 years

Prior Experience? Started his career right out of college.

Passionate About? Owen is passionate about spending time with his family, traveling, and cheering on the Hawkeyes.

Alyssa Wilgenbusch - Financial Representative:

How long with NM? 7 months

Prior Experience? I studied Wealth Management and Leadership at UNI, worked as a teller at Dupaco Credit Union, and interned with their financial services team. After graduation, I pursued my goal of becoming a financial advisor and joined NM.

Passionate About? I’m passionate about volunteering, spending time with loved ones, growing my faith, reading, practicing hot pilates, and exploring art.

Ally Dana - Development Director:

How long with NM? Almost 10 years!

Prior Experience? I graduated from UNI in Leisure Services and interviewed with NM my senior year, despite no prior financial services experience. After learning more about the company, I joined NM the Monday after graduation.

Passionate About? I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, and dogs, practicing barre/pilates/yoga, being outdoors, and traveling.

Mark Hubbard - Wealth Management Advisor:

How long with NM? Mark has worked with NM for 20 years.

Prior Experience? Mark was a middle school teacher and football coach. He retired from coaching after 20 years, having spent 23 years in the education and coaching profession.

Passionate About? Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, Angie, and their kids, following their children’s sports schedules. He’s also passionate about hunting, boating, working out, and reading.

Austin Maske - Financial Representative:

How long with NM? Austin has been with Northwestern Mutual for 6 months.

Prior Experience? Austin was a 5th grade social studies and writing teacher. He also coached football and track at the high school level.

Passionate About? Outside of work, Austin continues to coach football. He spends the majority of his time with his family and enjoys working out.

About Us: At the Funk Group - Northwestern Mutual, our mission is to build financially secure communities, one person, one family, and one business at a time. We are deeply committed to giving back, supporting local organizations such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Retrieving Freedom, Cedar Valley Angels, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, House of Hope, and the Boys and Girls Club. Through partnerships with Hy-Vee and initiatives like Americans For Independent Living (AFIL) and Ledar Valley, we help make a difference. As a Financial Representative, you’ll not only grow a fulfilling career but also contribute to these impactful causes, positively shaping both your clients’ financial futures and your community.

Follow this link to hear why Financial Advisor, Jamie Mannarelli is so passionate about her career at Northwestern Mutual: https://youtu.be/7SlQuS7AOgQ

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. Mark Funk is a General Agent of NM and not in legal partnership with NM, or its subsidiaries.