Director - Data & AI Solutions - Financial Services, Actuarial - REMOTE

Nationwide•Columbus, OH

2d•$122,000 - $182,000•Remote

About The Position

Nationwide is seeking a technology leader to drive enterprise-scale data, analytics, cloud modernization, and artificial intelligence solutions across Nationwide Financial’s Actuarial organization. The role translates business priorities into scalable, secure, cloud-native solutions and supports actuarial teams in adopting modern data- and AI-enabled ways of working. Reporting to the Senior Technical Director, the role serves as a primary liaison and trusted advisor to actuarial and business stakeholders and technology teams. It identifies high-value opportunities, leads discovery and solution-design discussions, shapes technology roadmaps, and guides delivery across data, platform engineering, DevOps, security, governance, architecture, and application development. It also provides technical leadership and mentoring. The position has enterprise scope and visibility with business and technology leaders, with a focus on moving teams from traditional processes to modern, governed, AI-enabled operating models. The role is listed as Columbus, Ohio or fully remote and may be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states. The posting identifies the position as exempt and not eligible for overtime, in a normal office environment.

Requirements

At least 10 years of hands-on experience in data architecture, data engineering, analytics, and enterprise solution architecture.
At least 5 years designing and implementing cloud-native modern data platforms using Snowflake, Databricks, and AWS.
At least 3 years delivering AI, machine learning, generative AI, or agentic AI solutions into production environments.
Proven experience leading enterprise-scale digital transformation, data modernization, and AI adoption initiatives.
Strong expertise in modern data platform architecture, lakehouse architectures, and cloud-native design principles.
Demonstrated success partnering directly with business stakeholders to develop technology roadmaps and solution strategies.
Strong architectural thinking, executive communication, strategic problem-solving, and ability to influence without direct authority.
Undergraduate degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a similar field involving modeling, programming, or quantitative analysis; the posting separately states a degree in computer science, engineering, information systems, or a related technical discipline is highly preferred.
Typically eight or more years of actuarial or similar experience, as stated in the general Technical Director qualifications.
Knowledge of actuarial business functions, statistical analysis methods, company actuarial systems and databases, and their integration.
Technical facility with leading computer tools and technology; mastery of Microsoft Office products, including VBA within Access and Excel, programming languages, and actuarial models.
Basic organizational agility and issue resolution skills; proficient command skills, strategic agility, delegation, inspiring others, business perspective, and accounting; mastery of perspective, problem solving, customer focus, dealing with ambiguity, drive for results, analysis, learning on the fly, and making effective use of system capabilities.
Regularly and consistently demonstrate Nationwide Values.

Nice To Haves

Python, SQL, PySpark, API integration, CI/CD, DevOps, and infrastructure as code.
Experience applying AI, analytics, or automation to business processes with appropriate governance and controls.
Snowflake, Databricks, machine learning, or generative AI certifications.
Experience with data lakes, medallion architecture, Parquet, Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, data interoperability, metadata management, data lineage, data governance, and observability.
Insurance or actuarial experience, or a strong interest in learning actuarial business processes and translating them into technology solutions.
Experience working with Enterprise Data Office, Infrastructure, platform engineering, security, governance, or architecture organizations.

Responsibilities

Partner with actuarial leaders, business stakeholders, and digital teams to prioritize and deliver data, analytics, automation, and technology opportunities.
Modernize legacy processes and applications into cloud-native, data-driven, and AI-enabled solutions.
Design and govern modern data platforms using Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, data lakes, lakehouse architectures, and open table formats.
Establish standards for data quality, metadata, lineage, governance, security, access controls, and data observability.
Identify responsible opportunities to apply generative AI, machine learning, analytics, and automation to improve productivity, decision-making, and operational efficiency.
Lead discovery sessions, capability assessments, architecture reviews, solution-design workshops, and technology evaluations.
Recommend improvements to platform scalability, resilience, performance, and cost optimization.
Communicate complex technical concepts to executive and technical audiences and influence strategic technology investments.
Provide technical leadership and mentoring to others.
Craft direction for data compilation, categorization, and analysis; construct sophisticated testing tools and analyze product calculations.
Design and maintain actuarial, projection, and valuation models; conduct or delegate financial reporting and analysis.
Lead, consult, and build strategies for product pricing and implementation; complete risk analysis for specific lines of business.
Lead efforts to establish reserves and other valuation items under statutory, GAAP, and tax accounting regimes.
Build strategic direction and provide analysis and pricing of reinsurance.
Develop and implement communication strategies and recommendations for leadership.
Complete activities related to data and analytics, such as data governance, data strategy, data modeling, data requirements, data manipulation, and requirements elicitation.
Lead sophisticated business processes, new programs or modifications to existing applications, and cross-functional projects or teams.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Paid time off, with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days per full calendar year, prorated quarterly based on hire date.
Nine paid holidays.
Eight hours of Lifetime paid time off.
Eight hours of Unity Day paid time off.
401(k) with company match.
Company-paid pension plan.
Business casual attire.