Economics Specialist-Markets

As a team member in Finance at Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, the opportunities are endless! Let Nationwide help create your career journey! 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.

Are you an economist or quantitative researcher who enjoys turning complex economic data into clear, actionable insight? Nationwide Economics is seeking an Economics Specialist to support macroeconomic research, economic forecasting, industry analysis, and data-driven communication across the investment team.

What you’ll do

• Monitor and analyze new macroeconomic, industry, and financial-market data, including trends affecting Federal Reserve monetary policy and interest rates.
• Build, maintain, and improve economic models, forecasts, charts, and tables used by senior economists.
• Use quantitative research, econometrics, and programming to investigate economic relationships and explain what the data means for Nationwide and its businesses and the Investment Team.
• Apply Python or comparable coding tools—and, where appropriate, AI/ML capabilities—to improve analysis, model development, and research workflows.
• Prepare concise written analysis and communications for investment professionals, internal business partners, and other enterprise audiences.
• Contribute ideas and content for Nationwide Economics publications, podcasts, and other thought-leadership efforts.
• Work with senior economists to validate findings, protect the confidentiality of developing forecasts, and communicate approved economic views with care.

The team and impact

You’ll join a collaborative team that supports the full enterprise. This role works most actively with Nationwide’s investment organization while also supporting property and casualty and Nationwide Financial.

As you build expertise and trusted relationships, you’ll have opportunities to engage directly with a broader range of investment and business leaders.

This is an individual-contributor role for someone who wants meaningful ownership, exposure to senior stakeholders, and the opportunity to see economic analysis inform real business and investment decisions.

What will help you succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, data science, or a related field.  Post graduate degree preferred. 
• Approximately three or more years of experience in economics, macroeconomic research, quantitative analysis, financial markets, business research, or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to work confidently with economic data, forecasts, and external factors affecting the economy and the company.
• Experience with Python, Stata, EViews, or comparable programming and analytical tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make complex analysis understandable to varied audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and respond quickly when new data changes the conversation.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive forecasts, emerging research, and information that may influence investment decisions.
• Curiosity, intellectual rigor, collaboration, and a commitment to Nationwide Values.

Preferred qualifications

• Master’s degree in economics or a related field.
• Experience applying AI/ML tools to quantitative research, economic modeling, or code development.
• Familiarity with interest rates, equity indexes, financial markets, economic forecasting, or insurance and financial-services concepts.
• Experience in a central bank, international financial institution, investment bank, investment research group, financial-services company, or comparable economics organization.

What to expect

The work is fast-paced and connected to a daily flow of economic releases and market developments. You’ll receive support and coaching from experienced economists, while also being expected to learn quickly, work with initiative, and ask questions when a finding or forecast requires senior review.

The position can be based in Columbus, Ohio, or staffed fully remote. Some travel may be required.

If you’re passionate about economics, quantitative research, and using data to help leaders make better decisions, we’d like to hear from you.

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Job Description Summary

Are you passionate about discovering and sharing relevant and fact-based economics research insights to support the direction of an organization? The work of Nationwide Economics is always shifting due to changes in the economy. If you can apply your natural curiosity – looking for new ways to solve complex issues – and combine it with meaningful analysis to advise our associates, our company and our industry, we want to know more about you!

As an Economics Specialist, you'll support the research and analysis of industry and macro data to provide insights for Nationwide Economics. We’ll count on you to monitor and share accurate information about various sectors and industries with senior economists. You’ll create and update economic models to help analyze and forecast economic data. Additionally, you will create and update charts and tables to display key economic relationships and behaviors.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provides research assistance, including creating and updating economic charts and tables, and findings to senior economists to aid with forecasts and analysis.

• Conducts research on economic data and trends to support Nationwide Economics’ forecasts and analyses, utilizing a variety of software programs and database systems.  

• Gathers, analyzes, monitors, and disseminates current information about specified sectors, including housing, agriculture, autos, and manufacturing, among other industries

• Creates communications to distribute research findings to internal business units as well as partners in the field.

• Assists in creating content and developing innovative ideas for Nationwide Economics’ publications and podcasts.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships:  Reports to AVP, Senior Economist. This is an individual contributor role.

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education:  Undergraduate degree in economics, finance, public policy, or related field. Graduate degree preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Business Economist (CBE) designation or progress toward one of these designations preferred.

Experience:  Typically, three or more years of related business experience.  

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:  Ability to conduct research to analyze macroeconomic trends. Good written and verbal communication skills. Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative information and external factors that may influence or have an impact on the economy and the company. Strong knowledge of econometrics, programing languages such as Python/Stata/Eviews, large-scale data analysis, and the application of AI/ML for quantitative research is a big plus. Ability to set work priorities that connect to established objectives. Operate effectively in an environment of deadlines and high workloads, adjusts schedules or work hours to meet changes in priorities. Maintain working knowledge and/or expertise in insurance/business concepts is helpful.
 

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 Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions: 

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment.  Some travel may be required.

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 10/31/2026. 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 Specialist, Economics : $79,500.00-$148,500.00The expected starting salary range for Specialist, Economics : $79,500.00 - $119,500.00