If you’re passionate about becoming a Nationwide associate and believe you have the potential to be something great, let’s talk. 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.

Job Description Summary

Do you thrive in developing and driving strategic corporate benefits that attract, support, retain, and grow top talent? Do you enjoy leading an organization responsible for delivering quality products and programs to associates, executives, and retirees? If leading a vibrant, passionate team sounds just like the opportunity you’re looking for, we want to know more about you!

As the VP of Corporate Benefits, you will develop, drive, and lead strategic, innovative, and competitive company benefits programs. You’ll be responsible for ensuring benefits and retirement programs align with our values, provide a competitive advantage, and align to industry best practices. In this job, you’ll collaborate closely with senior leadership and key external partners. You and your team of benefits professionals will create, enhance, and manage benefits and plans that support our entire associate and executive population. You’ll implement best practices and programs that support the growth of our business, foster a positive work environment, ensure compliance with evolving regulatory and legal requirements, and are financially sound.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develops and executes strategies and programs that support the company’s vision and strategic goals around associate, executive, and retiree health, welfare, fringe, pension, and 401k benefit programs and plans.

• Ensures all benefits plans and programs align with the overall business and people strategies that attract, retain, and develop top talent to help drive business growth.

• Acts as a strategic partner to the HR Executive Team, Benefits Administration Committee, and other fiduciary committees providing insightful, innovative, and critical recommendations.

• Delivers customized benefit programs that support varying associate populations, needs, life stages, and personal circumstances. 

• Partners with external consultants and vendors to review, analyze, and audit benefit plans and programs. Develops and implements plan upgrades or modifications using sound business and accounting principles.  

• Designs communication strategies to ensure understanding of benefit offerings, choices, and plans. 

• Plays a critical leadership role in contributing to the company’s total rewards strategy by collaborating closely with HR executives, compensation, finance, and legal teams to align benefit offerings with our total rewards strategy, culture, and values.

• Leads teams that administer, manage, and optimize benefits plans and programs along with maintaining effective relationships with vendors.

• Analyzes and monitors data, trends, market conditions, and other factors impacting our benefits strategies to identify possible new offerings, market risks, emerging benefit programs, and legislative updates.  

• Ensures compliance with regulatory, jurisdictional, and legislative bodies and requirements. Monitors and addresses any potential risks, partnering closely with Legal, Internal Audits, Finance, Technology, Ethics, and Enterprise Risk Management.

• Responsible for the management of associates including:  associate development, setting goals and performance management, salary planning and administration, departmental budget 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 SVP, Total Rewards.  Leads a team of approximately 12 benefits professionals, including indirect reports. 

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education: Undergraduate degree in human resources, business administration, finance or related field. Graduate degree or Juris Doctor (J.D.) preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) preferred.  Other financial certifications like Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) preferred.

Experience: Typically, ten or more years’ experience in a benefits-related function for a Fortune 500 company, including interaction with HR and senior leaders, and progressively responsible HR, benefits, or related leadership roles.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Demonstrated expertise in developing and driving multiple associate and executive benefit plans and programs. Deep knowledge of benefits laws, regulations, and jurisdictional requirements. Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels. Extensive knowledge of HR and benefits best practices, compliance requirements, and emerging trends and practices.  Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to navigate complex benefits, legal, and compliance issues with discretion and professionalism. Experience working in a large, fast-paced organization. (Fortune 100 experience is a plus).

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

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Values:  Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions: 

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (not eligible)

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. 

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.

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