Technology Project Manager - Data

Nationwide • Columbus, OH

8d • $118,000 - $178,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Nationwide is hiring a Technology Project Manager to lead strategic and priority initiatives within its Data, Operations, Technology, and Strategy (DOTS) organization. The role connects business strategy and analytical needs with trusted, governed, reusable data and AI capabilities that support reporting, analytics, automation, intelligent experiences, and emerging AI use cases. The manager coordinates business stakeholders, delivery teams, technology partners, governance, architecture, risk partners, and vendors to deliver complex data initiatives predictably and responsibly.

The position is accountable for both delivery outcomes and the way work is carried out, including prioritization, execution, collaboration, decision-making, risk and crisis management, responsible AI use, and continuous improvement. Initiatives may include improving data accessibility and quality; developing a future-state data strategy using a federated lakehouse architecture; modernizing platforms and integration patterns; establishing governed data products and semantic models; strengthening metadata and lineage; enabling self-service analytics; and delivering AI-enabled business capabilities.

The role leads initiatives from intake and planning through development, data onboarding, validation, testing, release, adoption, and stabilization. It manages delivery health, scope, schedule, budget, quality, controls, financials, vendor performance, dependencies, change management, and business outcomes. The role uses fit-for-purpose approaches, including Agile planning and iterative releases, and applies secure engineering practices throughout the delivery lifecycle. It also coaches and mentors colleagues and promotes transparent communication, accountability, responsible innovation, data stewardship, and Nationwide’s values.

The position follows a hybrid schedule, requiring in-office presence two days per week in Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; or Scottsdale, Arizona. Candidates must live within commuting distance of one of these locations. Remote candidates may be considered, though the detailed work arrangement specifies the in-office requirement. The role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization, and Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT Extension program. The position is exempt from overtime eligibility.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of project management experience, including at least 5 years of demonstrated proficiency delivering data outcomes or projects, as stated in the role-specific ideal skill set.
• Familiarity with cloud and modern data-platform concepts such as lakehouse architectures, ETL/ELT, data integration, SQL, Snowflake, Databricks, or comparable technologies.
• Six or more years of experience in technology or a related field, including three years of demonstrated proficiency delivering outcomes or projects, as stated in the general job description.
• Ability to make sound decisions and recommendations.
• Ability to influence, build relationships, and set priorities.
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with associates at all levels, senior management, and vendors.
• Strong planning, delivery, financial, dependency, and risk management skills.
• Ability to lead through change and drive alignment across teams.
• Awareness of emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Candidates must be based within commuting distance of Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; or Scottsdale, Arizona, for the stated hybrid arrangement.
• The role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization; Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT Extension program.

Nice To Haves

• Undergraduate studies in management information systems, engineering, mathematics, computer science, data analytics, or comparable experience and education; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Technology certifications or PMI, SAFe, Agile, or Lean designations are encouraged.
• Insurance and/or financial services industry knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business and data leaders to define priorities, analytical needs, AI opportunities, business cases, and outcomes.
• Translate demand into project scope, milestones, deliverables, success measures, resource plans, funding needs, and integrated schedules.
• Sequence work across data domains, platforms, governance, analytics, AI capabilities, and shared technology teams.
• Establish ownership, decision rights, dependencies, acceptance criteria, and adoption plans.
• Manage work from intake and planning through build, data onboarding, validation, testing, release, adoption, and stabilization.
• Establish and manage integrated planning, milestone reviews, dependencies, risks, finances, change management, decision forums, status reporting, vendor and contract management, and executive governance.
• Coordinate business teams, project teams, engineering, architecture, security, privacy, responsible AI, data governance, analytics, technology partners, and vendors.
• Drive delivery against scope, schedule, budget, quality, controls, and business outcomes using appropriate methods, including Agile planning and iterative releases.
• Provide concise status reports and executive communications focused on progress, risks, decisions, and next steps.
• Use automation, AI-enabled tools, and standardized practices to improve planning, reporting, risk identification, and team productivity with appropriate human oversight.
• Foster accountability, healthy challenge, responsible innovation, strong data stewardship, and Nationwide’s values.
• Drive end-to-end delivery of business outcomes and business-case benefits, including incremental value delivery, planning, and dependency and scope definition.
• Lead medium- to complex-scale initiatives and manage their dependencies and finances.
• Balance demand and capacity and use standard tools and KPIs to improve performance and maintain delivery momentum.
• Manage initiative budgets, forecasts, contract adherence, and delivery against expected outcomes.
• Apply secure software and systems engineering practices throughout the delivery lifecycle to protect data and technology solutions from threats and vulnerabilities.
• Coach, influence, and mentor team members and peers to strengthen delivery discipline, collaboration, and effectiveness.
• Drive continuous improvement through Agile, Lean, and DevOps practices, including automation and inspection cycles.
• Lead transparent communication and change management, proactively surfacing status, decisions, impacts, and critical issues.
• Contribute to contract negotiations, statement-of-work development, and vendor oversight.
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior