VP, Corporate Real Estate

Nationwide•Columbus, OH

3d•$200,000 - $400,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is accountable for a complex and geographically diverse portfolio, requiring a balance of long-term strategic transformation and day-to-day operational performance. Key transformation priorities include: Defining and leading the enterprise-aligned real estate strategy and driving the formal governance, decision rights, and execution to deliver business outcomes. Directing capital investment discipline through stage-gate governance, business-case rigor, and transparent prioritization frameworks. Fostering a proactive customer engagement model through portfolio reviews, strategic planning discussions, and early identification of business needs. Delivering safe, resilient, and efficient building operations through data-driven asset lifecycle management, risk-informed investment decisions, and operational excellence. Modernizing CRE capabilities through an integrated technology roadmap, data governance, automation, smart-building solutions, and actionable executive and operational KPIs. Driving process standardization, continuous improvement, and organizational change to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and portfolio performance. Ideal candidates will be able to balance long-term transformation with the demands of a complex real estate portfolio, influencing senior stakeholders, fostering cross-functional partnerships, and leveraging data to inform strategic decisions. If you're energized by shaping where and how an enterprise works—and by creating spaces and experiences that help people do their best—then Nationwide is the place for you. Nationwide's industry-leading workforce embraces a collaborative culture to deliver outstanding solutions and results. As the Vice President, Corporate Real Estate (CRE), you'll set and execute the enterprise strategy for a safe, sustainable, and inspiring work environment that fuels innovation, collaboration, and growth. You'll lead workplace design, project and facilities management, real estate and capital planning, and energy and environmental programs across our multi-state portfolio—bringing together the physical workplace with smart-building technology, data, and AI to deliver a seamless, cost-effective, and future-ready experience for associates and visitors alike.

Requirements

Undergraduate studies in Business, Engineering, Facilities Management, Architecture, or a related discipline.
Typically 10 or more years of relevant corporate real estate experience, including experience with large, complex organizations and their practices, processes, and procedures.
Five or more years of leadership experience preferred.
Demonstrated ability to set and drive strategy and vision for the corporate workplace, balancing associate wellbeing, productivity, and cost.
Proven delivery of complex Tier 1 and infrastructure projects.
Working knowledge of property acquisition, leasing, and disposition.
Fluency with workplace and building technologies—smart-building systems, space and occupancy analytics, and AI-enabled tools—and the ability to translate data into decisions.
Strong financial acumen, including cost/benefit evaluation and business-case development.
Excellent people-leadership skills with openness to feedback and new ideas.
Strong diplomatic, interpersonal, and consultative skills, with the ability to understand, synthesize, and define business needs.
Comfort with complexity, ambiguity, competing priorities, and tight deadlines.
High personal integrity and the willingness to advocate for what is right.
Ability to lead change management that improves the effectiveness and adoption of real estate and facilities initiatives, and to challenge the status quo to simplify processes and deliver results.

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

Sets and delivers the enterprise Corporate Real Estate strategy from vision through execution, ensuring it aligns with and accelerates Nationwide's strategic business direction in close partnership with senior leaders and business operations.
Builds value-added partnerships with internal customers, delivering real estate and facilities services that advance corporate objectives, unlock efficiencies, and elevate the associate experience.
Owns ongoing management of Nationwide's business footprint and portfolio—including project planning and evaluation, budgeting and cost estimation, scope development and delivery, tenant improvement programs, and infrastructure projects—along with maintenance and operations, design and construction, space allocation and management, capital improvement, and property-related administrative services, so the portfolio runs in a safe, healthy, secure, sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective way.
Champions the “workplace of the future,” integrating the physical environment with digital-workplace and smart-building technologies—IoT sensors, connected collaboration and meeting spaces, and AI-enabled building systems—to create flexible, hybrid-ready environments that maximize productivity on-site and virtually, in partnership with HR and Technology.
Drives a data-driven approach to real estate decisions, establishing metrics, analytics, and dashboards for space utilization, occupancy, cost, and experience to inform portfolio strategy, remove friction, and drive continuous improvement.
Leads enterprise sustainability programs—energy and environmental management, decarbonization, and healthy-building standards—embedding sustainability into every aspect of Nationwide's corporate real estate portfolio.
Applies automation to facilities and workplace operations to streamline workflows, improve service quality, and reduce operating cost.
Ensures compliance with building codes and environmental, health, and safety standards, and applies industry best practices to protect and support the associate and visitor experience.
Manages strategic relationships with key vendors, contractors, tenants, and third-party landlords, ensuring alignment, optimal value, and reliable service delivery.
Continuously scans emerging technologies, trends, and workplace models—championing pilots and new approaches that keep Nationwide at the forefront of the evolving workplace.
Guides and advises Nationwide OCEO on related administrative, project management, and facilities/property management initiatives, and manages internal communications to align senior leadership expectations and elevate service quality.
Leads and develops a high-performing team of real estate professionals and supporting contractors, including performance management, salary planning, skill development, hiring, and corrective actions.
May performs 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