AVP, Associate Relations

Nationwide; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 154,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off 18 days/year pro-rated

Job summary

Nationwide is seeking a senior Associate Relations leader to guide investigations, policy interpretation, and risk management across the organization. You will lead a team of consultants, partner with HR, Legal, and executives, and shape strategies for workforce programs and governance.

The role emphasizes advisory support for leaders, extensive experience in associate relations, and a track record of driving outcomes while upholding values and ethics.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of increasing human resources responsibility, associate relations leadership or related leadership roles.
• Strong associate relations background and experience interacting with executive-level leaders.
• Experience in operations, policy leadership, people and team leadership, and strategy execution.

Responsibilities

• Drive direction and execution for the AR consulting workstream, aligning with enterprise objectives.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for AR consulting, resolving complex or high-risk matters.
• Provide enterprise-level AR consulting support with HR Partners, COEs, and leaders.
• Handles risk mitigation and overall risk profile to support business continuity.
• Leads investigations with Ethics and Legal, advising on interventions and outcomes.

Skills

Relationship management

Investigations

Associate relations

Operations management

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Risk mitigation

Executive communication

Education

Undergraduate business administration

MBA or JD preferred

Insurance designations CPCU/FLMI; SPHR helpful

Job description

If you’re passionate about becoming a Nationwide associate and believe you have the potential to be something great, let’s talk. 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.

• May lead and investigate highly sensitive case matters.
• Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Strong relationship management skills, understanding of and experience with associate relations work, investigations expertise, operations and process management, leadership skills, effective with senior leaders and associates, continuous improvement skills and orientation, strategic leader with vision, and driving delivery and execution.

#LI-RR1 #LI-SJ1

Job Description Summary

If you’re passionate about leadership, associate relations, advising leaders and associates, then Nationwide Associate Relations (AR) is the place for you!

You will provide accountability for Associate Relation situations across Nationwide. Your leadership of functions within Associate Relations will include HR programs and guidelines, associate and officer investigations, HR compliance, and risk mitigation activities.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Drive direction and execution for the AR consulting workstream, including defining priorities, consulting approach, and ways of working that align with enterprise objectives.

• Serve as the primary escalation point for the AR consulting team, owning and resolving complex or high-risk matters and providing guidance on case strategy, recommendations, and outcomes.

• Provide enterprise-level AR consulting support, partnering with HR Business Partners, COEs, and business leaders on complex people issues, organizational changes, and strategic initiatives.

• Handles risk mitigation and overall risk profile. Balances risk avoidance with effective decision making that limits disruption and enables business continuity.

• Partners closely with the Office of Ethics, Office of Chief Legal Officer, senior HR and business leaders to lead all aspects of investigations of associates up through senior leadership regarding Code of Conduct, enterprise values, and policy violations. Provides team direction on appropriate interventions.

• Provides consultation for complex HR and operations issues such as union organizing, Affinity Action, workplace violence, ethics and executive investigations, regulatory compliance, acquisitions, divestitures and sensitive associate relations issues.

• Works closely with Chief Legal Office employment team. Assesses regulatory and legislative developments that impact our employment policies and practices and develops strategic responses to any pertinent impacts.

• Provides strategic direction around mitigating risk in support of organizational changes that may result in consultation of reduction in force.

• Creates and maintains a team environment that supports engagement, reinforces commitment to quality and performance, and promotes fairness and risk mitigation with associates and leaders; all while balancing productivity and service delivery.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to Vice President; Leads a team of 10 consultants and Sr. Consultants.

Education

Undergraduate study in business administration or similar field, or equivalent; MBA or JD preferred. Insurance designation, e.g CPCU, FLMI, preferred; HR designations, SPHR are pluses.

Experience

Ten or more years of increasing human resources responsibility, associate relations leadership or related leadership roles. Must have strong associate relations background and experience interacting with executive-level leaders. Operations and/or policy leadership, people and team leadership, and leading strategy development and execution.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

Strong relationship management skills, understanding of and experience with associate relations work, operations and process management, leadership skills, effective with senior leaders and associates, continuous improvement skills and orientation, strategic leader with vision, and driving delivery and execution.

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: Exempt (Not eligible)

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.

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.

#HumanResources

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 AVP, Associate Relations Consulting : $154,000.00-$290,000.00

The expected starting salary range for AVP, Associate Relations Consulting : $154,000.00 - $258,000.00