Technical Director, Product

Are you passionate about being part of a team that delivers extraordinary care to help individuals and businesses prepare for and protect their retirement? If so, then Nationwide Financial could be the place for you! 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.

As the Director, you will be responsible for leading and executing the digital strategy for our annuity products. You will work closely with senior leadership, product managers, Technology, and Marketing teams to identify, prioritize, and implement digital initiatives that enhance customer experience, increase operational efficiency, and drive business growth.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Development and execution of a strategic vision for enhancing our annuity products and services, leveraging the latest technologies and fintech innovations

• Developing and managing the digital transformation roadmap for annuity products, aligning it with the overall business objectives

• Oversight of the design, development, and implementation of new system and processes that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and customer experience of our annuity business

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop digital solutions that improve customer engagement, retention, and loyalty across multiple channels and touchpoints

• Collaborating and influencing on the conversion and new technology strategy to ensure alignment and support on behalf of Business Development leadership

• Driving innovation and experimentation with emerging technologies and best practices, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and delivery methodologies

• Partner with project team ensuring timely and quality delivery of digital solutions

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, business, or related field is preferred

• At least 5 years of experience in digital transformation, digital strategy, or digital product management, preferably in the financial services or insurance industry

• Proven track record of leading, supporting, and influencing the delivery of large-scale, complex, and impactful digital transformation projects, from ideation to implementation is preferred

• Strong knowledge and understanding of annuity products, markets, and customer needs

• Expertise in digital technologies, platforms, and tools

• Excellent leadership, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and changing environment

• A strategic and analytical mindset, with the ability to think creatively and solve complex problems

• Passion for innovation, customer-centricity, and continuous improvement

This role will be located in Columbus, Ohio and will require an onsite presence.

Compensation Grade: H4

Job Description Summary

Our work is essential to helping Nationwide build future capabilities to serve customer needs. Keeping existing products relevant and marketable and building new products takes research, critical thinking, practicality, and collaboration. If you enjoy gathering input and information, working independently and on a team and creating innovative solutions for customers, we want to know more about you!

As a Technical Director, you'll provide expertise leading across functional team(s) responsible for product creation and innovation. You'll lead key initiatives to address product strategy and profitability objectives and communicate product/solution strategic direction.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads development and maintenance, including crafting and modeling the features/capabilities of products from beginning to end, with direct responsibility for the products managed from a growth, profitability, capital, and risk perspective.

• Partners with sales leadership and finance to provide cost impact solutions and/or opportunities related to product design options. Develops business cases that support customer acquisition initiatives. Generates multiple solutions that address client/customer needs based on an assessment of the situation.

• Drives incremental and adjacent innovation to differentiate products and solutions in the marketplace in partnership with cross functional teams.

• Proactively identifies new market and business opportunities. Reacts appropriately to competitive landscape and market conditions.

• Provides support and leadership to promote product/solution strategy, design, and management.

• Serves as liaison, advising across the organization to implement new products and solutions. Looks for alignments or added value from developments across business areas and multiple fields. Facilitates problem resolution across the business.

• Builds strategic relationships to support product delivery, including vendor and partner alliances.

• Assures performance results and expectations as related to the product/solution implementation and business model.

• Develops, produces, and maintains ad hoc and custom sales report analysis. Consults with leadership regarding product trends, provides recommendations regarding sales analysis opportunities.

• Leads key project initiatives for the business in support of initial product offerings, product re-designs or tangential applications such as commissions, new business processing or policy administration.

• Facilitates client understanding of various product options and helps to prioritize options.

• Maintains a detailed understanding of pricing, client needs, market needs and sales positioning.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to leader; may lead cross-department project teams and up to 3 product professionals.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate degree in finance, economics, marketing, or related field preferred. Graduate degree desired.

License/Certification/Designation: Industry designations (e.g., CPCU, ARM, CLU, FLMI, ChFC, CFA, CFP, NASD, etc.) preferred.

Experience: Typically, ten years of relevant experience in a related industry with at least four years in product specific role.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Solid understanding of product design, regulatory framework governing such products and organization knowledge. Demonstrated strategic decision making. Proven ability in the use of analytic tools, plans pricing and products. Demonstrated ability to drive results, navigate ambiguity and to understand strategic objectives. Ability to lead high profile projects. Ability to creatively present ideas in written form and through presentations. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Proven team building and leadership skills. Ability to influence without authority.

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: May require moderate travel.

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.

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.