Operations Leader - Speciality Finance

Nationwide•Columbus, OH

4d•$138,000 - $243,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Operations Leader – Specialty Finance plays a critical role in supporting the operations platform of Nationwide’s Specialty Finance organization. Specialty Finance is a newer business for Nationwide, primarily providing credit protection for large institutional clients such as asset managers and banks. Operational processes span a wide range of activities, including policy data acquisition, premium collection, portfolio monitoring enablement, and claims support. This role is responsible for designing, managing, and enhancing operational processes that support Specialty Finance products across a variety of asset classes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
8 to 12 years of experience in P&C operations, investment operations, fund accounting, or related financial services environments.
Deep understanding of insurance operational processes.
Strong understanding of financial concepts, investment products, workflows, and industry best practices.
Ability to translate current business needs into scalable future-state operating models.
Demonstrated leadership in driving operational efficiency and innovation.
Strong collaboration skills and the ability to build trust across teams and external partners.
Broad understanding of investment technology platforms and how to leverage them effectively.
The hired associate must reside within 35 miles of the following location: Columbus: One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus OH, 43215
Deep understanding of investment products, workflows, and industry best practices.
Ability to translate current needs into scalable future-state operational models.
Demonstrated thought leadership in driving operational efficiency and innovation.
Strong collaboration skills with the ability to build trust across teams and external partners.
Broad understanding of investment technology platforms and how to leverage them effectively.
Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.
Due to the fiduciary accountabilities within this job, a valid credit check and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Advanced degree a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead operational processes from premium collection through claims, supporting Specialty Finance products across multiple asset classes while ensuring execution quality, data accuracy, and strong control frameworks.
Oversee process design, workflow optimization, and product- and asset-class-specific reporting.
Monitor operational service levels and performance against defined service expectations.
Manage a team responsible for daily operations support, including workflow oversight and execution.
Provide leadership across performance management, training, coaching, and associate development.
Lead staffing decisions, workflow allocation, and team recognition efforts.
Serve as a primary liaison with internal and external partners, including technology, Treasury, Investments, Controllership, policy data providers, technology partners, external managers, custodians, market data vendors, and other third-party providers.
Partner across internal teams to ensure end-to-end operational processes run efficiently and align with organizational objectives.
Oversee operational controls, including FRC controls, internal and external audits, and regulatory requests.
Identify and assess operational risk and ensure risks are appropriately mitigated or assumed with proper visibility.
Maintain a strong understanding of risk frameworks and apply them in day-to-day responsibilities.
Collaborate with internal and external technology and business teams to improve and streamline complex operational processes.
Lead or contribute to strategic initiatives and projects that enhance operational resilience and scalability.
Lead operational processes supporting Specialty Finance products that insure multiple asset classes, ensuring high-quality execution, data accuracy, and robust control frameworks.
Oversee process design, workflow optimization, and product and asset-class–specific reporting.
Monitor operational service levels and performance against defined SLAs.
Manage a team responsible for daily operations.
Oversee performance management, training, coaching, and associate development.
Lead staffing decisions, workflow allocation, and team recognition programs.
Act as primary liaison with technology partners, external managers, custodians, market data vendors, and other third-party providers.
Partner across internal teams to ensure end-to-end operational processes run efficiently and align with organizational objectives.
Oversee operational controls including FRC controls, internal/external audits, and regulatory requests.
Identify and assess operational risk, ensuring risks are appropriately mitigated or assumed with proper visibility.
Maintain a strong understanding of risk frameworks and apply them in daily responsibilities.
Collaborate with internal and external technology and business teams to innovate and streamline complex operational processes.
Lead or contribute to strategic business initiatives and projects that enhance operational resilience and scalability.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

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