Operations Leader - Specialty Finance

As a team member in Finance at Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, the opportunities are endless! Let Nationwide help create your career journey! 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. Role Summary 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. Additional Role-Specific 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. Reporting Relationship This role reports to the Head of Specialty Finance and is expected to lead a team of operations support staff and/or investment professionals aligned to the business’s operational needs. Preferred Experience and Background 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. Role-Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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 Work schedule: 2 days in office, 3 days remote. This role does not qualify for employer sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT extension program. #LI-SS1 Job Description Summary Do you have the desire to grow a business and play a critical role in shaping business outcomes? Nationwide has been serving our members and driving business outcomes for almost 100 years. Our industry-leading workforce thrives in an agile work environment and a collaborative culture and delivers outstanding solutions and results. Our Investment and Risk professionals play a key role in transforming quantitative data analysis into meaningful insights that drive business results. Nationwide Specialty Finance employs a research-driven, team-oriented, and results-focused approach to create and manage a wide array of innovative specialty finance insurance solutions like collateral protection, residual value, and portfolio insurance. Credit Research is a critical part of evaluating and pricing these insurance solutions. The Senior Investment Professional – Middle Office & Back Office, Specialty Finance, plays a critical role in supporting the investment platform of Nationwide’s Specialty Finance organization. This role is accountable for designing, managing, and enhancing operational processes that support Specialty Finance products that insure a wide variety of asset classes. The position ensures strong controls, operational accuracy, and efficient workflow execution while contributing to strategic initiatives across the investment operations ecosystem. As a people leader, this role will manage a team of Investment Analysts and Investment Professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous development. Job Description Key Responsibilities: 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. Reporting Relationships: Head of Specialty Finance. Will lead a team of investment professionals. Typical Skills and Experiences: Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or an equivalent field. Advanced degree a plus. Experience: 8 to 12 years of investment operations, fund accounting, or related financial services experience. Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: 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. 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 Nationwide Values. Job Conditions: Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt) Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Some travel may be required. 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. Credit/Background Check: 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. 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. Nationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule. The national salary range for Senior Investment Professional - Specialty Finance : $138,000.00-$243,000.00 The expected starting salary range for Senior Investment Professional - Specialty Finance : $138,000.00 - $206,000.00 At Nationwide, we find purpose in protecting people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care – and we’ve been doing that since 1926. Our financial strength and caring culture extend beyond our associates into the communities we serve. You really can feel the difference at Nationwide, which is why we continue to be named one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For. Check out why others think we're a great place to work, too, and let us know – can you see yourself at Nationwide? 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.