Director, Business Program Management (NRI Strategic Partnerships)

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 Nationwide Retirement Institute Business & Program Strategy team welcomes applications for a Director, NRI Strategic Partnership opening. This individual will lead the external partnership, including farm credit partners, The National Council on Aging, and the American College of Financial Services.
Role is based out of Columbus, Ohio and requires travel.
FINRA Series 6 and 26 strongly preferred at time of hire.
Compensation Grade: H3

Job Description Summary

We are a versatile group of individuals, working together 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 lead the strategic alignment of major corporate programs and initiatives. We will count on you to have an end to end vantage point on business delivery. You will be responsible for setting and reviewing objectives, coordinating activities across projects and overseeing the integration and reuse of projects and results. You'll lead all aspects of multiple project teams and associates and be accountable for the overall outcome of programs that ultimately deliver expected value and business outcomes.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Directs the evaluation of proposed business development efforts including the coordination of initial program/project proposals and charters. Determines and recommends to senior management if program/project aligns with the organization’s strategy and objectives.

• Facilitates portfolio planning and partners with key stakeholders to establish a road-map aligned with the organization's vision and annual objectives. Drives the creation, development, presentation and approval of program, project and business case budgets and funding.  Works with key customers in identifying program needs and leads program infrastructure, implementation and governance structure.  Ensures the establishment of scope and priorities, management of risks/issues/dependencies, implementation of solutions and change management activities. 

• Prioritizes, approves and ensures the completion of new product development, design of new processes and adoption of new strategies and/or programs within time, budget and specification constraints. Provides a single point of contact integration for individual projects into larger program management on a corporate-wide basis.

• Consults with leaders and assigned project teams to identify scope/specifications and business needs, writes proposals, prepares risk assessments and establishes budgets and timeframes for major programs and team based activities, with the goal of ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and objectives.

• Builds strong working relationships with team members, matrix partners, sponsors and customers to aide in effective definition and execution of projects.  Fosters trust that increases day-to-day decisioning and improving speed and quality of work 

• Leverages value chain thinking, ensuring that critical parties are engaged at the appropriate time and informed of all upstream/downstream impacts.

• Collaborates with key stakeholders, leaders and partners to understand impediments and/or inefficiencies to improve overall efficiency and delivery capability of the team.  Serves as a point of escalation.  

• Partners closely with Finance and Technology partners to oversee project/product financials.

• Establishes and maintains a best in class Portfolio and Program Management practice that supports continuous planning and delivery flexibility with sustainable predictability.  Establishes standard for project managers and oversees the development of tools and processes. Champions the process to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of execution.

• Directs the devel