Specialist, Business Consulting - Lean & AI Enablement Lead

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.

Are you ready to be at the forefront of digital transformation in Retirement Solutions Operations? We’re seeking a bold, forward-thinking Specialist in Business Consulting & Technical Support to lead the charge in Lean and AI Enablement. This isn’t just another process improvement role—it’s a strategic opportunity to shape the future of how we work. You’ll be the driving force behind empowering our frontline teams with automation and AI capabilities, blending lean principles with cutting-edge technology to unlock new levels of efficiency, scalability, and innovation.

In this high-impact role, you’ll champion citizen automation, guide AI integration, and spearhead virtual agent development—all while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and digital fluency. You’ll collaborate across IT, business units, and automation teams to ensure seamless execution of initiatives that deliver measurable business value. From designing training programs to launching virtual agents and standardizing processes for automation, you’ll be the go-to expert enabling our teams to thrive in a tech-enabled future. If you're energized by transformation, passionate about empowering others, and ready to deliver real results, we want you on our team.

It is our intention to fill this role in Columbus, Ohio or Scottsdale, Arizona, however, on occasion, applications from internal candidates that are working remotely who bring critical industry skills and relevant experience may considered.

This position will be hired on a Success Flex basis.

The hired associate must reside within 35 miles of the following location(s): 

Columbus: Three Nationwide Plaza, Columbus OH, 43215

Work schedule: 2 days in office, 3 days remote.

(Internal Use Only: F3 Pay Band)

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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 dynamic. If you thrive in a busy, engaging work environment, we want to know more about you!

As a Specialist, you'll act independently or as a member of a team responsible for devising and modifying procedures to tackle simple to moderately complex business problems. You will participate in ongoing process modeling, analysis and design efforts and provide basic business performance management, organizational design and business risk management capabilities to formulate pragmatic and measurable business transformation plans.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Partners with management and peers to transform businesses through the strategic application of people, processes and technology. Participates in the planning process by identifying complexities, dependencies and redundancies.

• Participates in business process analysis/design, needs assessments and cost/benefit analysis to align solutions with business strategies and directions. Participates in creating business-specific technology plans. Consults with functional groups within Nationwide Technology and internal business clients to develop short- and long-term business transformation plans. 

• Develops and implements business processes and procedures. Responsible for communicating to customers, management and external sources.

• Identifies the critical elements of a business process that need to be monitored. Reports performance in a cohesive manner. 

• Participates, as a team member, in analysis and design of organizational structures, roles, responsibilities, governance, staffing and sourcing to support business goals, strategies and process architecture. Provides significant contribution in executing department-level change.

• Trains customers on business, technological, societal and environmental trends to support strategies for improving business performance.

• Facilitates evaluation and research of new and existing products, procedures and/or workflow needs associated with business systems for the company. Evaluates new technological developments and evolving business requirements and recommends appropriate systems alternatives and/or enhancements.

• Assists in the development and implementation of compelling business cases to accomplish business objectives. Assists with the identification, assessment and mitigation of business risks associated with the current operating model and/or desired target state operating models.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Manager/Director; this is an individual contributor role.  

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate studies in business, insurance, mathematics, computer science or related field preferred. 

Experience: Five plus years of progressively more responsible experience in business consulting and business process analysis and design, performance improvement, problem solving, planning, coordinating and organizing. Project management experience is preferred. Experience with process re-design methods and tools.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Proven knowledge of standards, methodologies and frameworks, business process management and technology. Sound knowledge of a variety of tools, concepts and techniques. Understanding of new technologies and developments in the technology industry and their application. Detailed knowledge of systems development life cycle. Knowledge of project management concepts and techniques are required. Knowledge of facilitation, performance management, organizational design and organization change management. Ability to lead large or sophisticated projects. Effective communication skills and ability to 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 Values.

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

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.

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.