Director – Business Performance

Are you passionate about being part of a team that delivers extraordinary care to help individuals and businesses prepare for and protect their retirement? If so, then Nationwide Financial could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

The Director of Business Performance is a strategic leader responsible for enhancing organizational effectiveness through two integrated disciplines: (1) Learning & Performance Enablement and (2) Business Process Management & Optimization. This role ensures that training and learning for Nationwide Pet’s associates are designed and delivered, while business processes are continuously improved to support scalable growth and operational excellence.

Learning & Performance Enablement Responsibilities:

• Lead learning & performance professionals in the development and execution of Nationwide Pet learning strategies that align with business goals and drive associate capability.
• Oversee training programs, performance enablement tools, and onboarding experiences that support role readiness, career development, and operational readiness.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional growth through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Measure the effectiveness of learning programs and adjust strategies based on performance outcomes and feedback.

Performance Management & Business Optimization Responsibilities:

• Lead process-focused talent to identify, analyze and optimize business and system processes to improve operational efficiency, scalability, and customer experience across the Nationwide Pet value chain.
• Establish and lead cross-functional initiatives focused on process redesign, simplification, and standardization.
• Establish and implement governance controls and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Harness data analytics and insights to develop identify and report on performance trends and inform strategic decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts through structured methodologies and change management practices.
• Provide consulting business leaders and teams on performance optimization and transformation strategies.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership & Planning
• Learning & Development Strategy & Delivery
• Performance Enablement & Coaching
• Business Process Improvement & Engineering
• Change Management & Governance
• Project Management & Consulting
• Data Analysis & Problem Solving
• Operations Management & Continual Improvement
• Executive Presence & Communication

This role does not qualify for employer sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT extension program.

Job Description Summary

Our team is a versatile group of individuals, working collaboratively to meet the needs of our customers. We value knowledge, strong business savvy and contributing to a stellar team environment. If you thrive in a busy, engaging work environment, we want to know more about you!

As a Director, you'll be responsible for leading major process modeling, analysis and design efforts and be instrumental in development of compelling business rationale to formulate transformation. You'll direct the activities and staff responsible for providing business performance management, organizational design and business risk management capabilities to formulate pragmatic, forward facing and meaningful business transformation plans.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Directs all activities for team involving business transformation through the strategic application of people, processes and technology. Team participates in business planning processes across multiple departments or business units by identifying complexities, dependencies and duplications.

• Manages staff who consults on business process analysis, organizational analysis, needs assessments and cost/benefit analysis to align technology solutions with business strategies and directions.  Consults with functional groups within Nationwide Technology and internal business clients to develop short- and long-term systems plans. 

• Leads associates involved with process management and consultation between business customers and systems area for development and implementation of new business processes and procedures. Responsible for communicating to customers, management and external sources.

• Provides direction and insight to leader, peers and team members responsible for identifying critical elements of a business process that need to be managed. Leads individuals to define criteria of performance success. Selects and applies appropriate performance measurement tools. 

• Advises team on analysis and design of organizational structures, roles, responsibilities, governance, staffing and sourcing to support business goals, strategies and process architecture. Leads organization-wide change. 

• Manages team responsible for training the customers on business, technological, societal and environmental trends to support strategies for improving business performance.

• Directs staff who participate in strategic projects and who evaluate new technological developments, evolving business requirements and who recommend appropriate systems alternatives and/or improvements to current systems. 

• Leads team that develop compelling business cases, including gaining senior management input, to accomplish business objectives. Identifies, assesses and mitigates business risks associated with the current operating model and/or desired target state operating models.

• Manages associates, including performance management, salary planning and administration, training and development, workflow and organizational planning, hiring and placement and disciplinary actions.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Associate Vice President/Vice President directs a team of six to 15 direct and indirect reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate studies in computer science, management information, business, mathematics or related field strongly preferred. Graduate studies are highly desired. 

Experience: Ten plus years of dynamic experience in planning, designing and implementing company -wide business transformation initiatives. Extensive experience in functional, process, information and data modeling, data management and warehousing and applications integration. In-depth experience with process redesign methods and tools. Five years of experience in people management. 

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Expert knowledge of standards, methodologies and frameworks, business process management and technology. Proven knowledge of a wide variety of tools, concepts and techniques of business process modeling, analysis and design. Expert knowledge of emerging industry, competitor, customer demography, regulatory and market trends. Understanding of new technologies and developments in the technology industry.  Extensive knowledge of project management concepts and techniques, facilitation, performance management, organizational design and managing organization change required. Ability to serve as the top technical specialist for business consulting and analysis. Demonstrable ability to lead large, sophisticated projects that involve high risk and great impact. Strong communication skills, ability to influence, apply innovative approaches, and deal with ambiguity.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and HR Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not eligible)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Extended work hours may be required based on workload. May require occasional travel.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 10/30/2025. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states.Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247.
For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdf

NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:

We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.

Nationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule.The national salary range for Director, Business Consulting : $110,000.00-$212,000.00The expected starting salary range for Director, Business Consulting : $119,000.00 - $179,000.00