Director, Staff Operations (Middle Market)

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

Holidays

401(k) with company match

Pension plan

Business casual attire

Job summary

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company is seeking a Staff Operations Director in Des Moines, IA to support the Middle Market Custom Solutions and Middle Market Sales and Distribution units. You will partner with business leaders and cross-functional teams to advance strategic priorities, improve processes and support effective execution.

The role requires ten-plus years in business management with emphasis on financial analysis, project management and leadership, plus strong verbal and written

Qualifications

• Undergraduate studies in business, accounting and finance preferred.
• Typically ten or more years of demonstrated experience in business management with emphasis on financial analysis, project management and leadership.
• At least five years of management experience required.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills for internal/external contacts, negotiations and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains processes to align initiatives and results.
• Directs budgeting and resource planning for the business unit.
• Provides executive level reporting and analysis.
• Leads staff development and performance management.
• Serves as liaison to other units for operations and products.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Business/Accounting/Finance background

Job description

Staff Operations Director

This Staff Operations Director will support the Middle Market Custom Solutions and Middle Market Sales and Distribution business units. The role will partner with business leaders and cross-functional teams to advance strategic priorities, improve processes, and support effective execution across the organization. Success in this role requires the ability to manage multiple projects, translate business needs into actionable plans, and communicate insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains processes to ensure alignment of business initiatives and business results.
• Facilitates the definition, maintenance and improvements of processes to provide cost-effective stewardship of assets and results.
• Directs the financial management, project/resources budgeting and resource planning processes for the business unit, product or functional assignments.
• Provides executive level reporting and analysis.
• Manages additional support services such as facilities, communications, licensing, reporting, accounting, office services, etc.
• Adheres to operational standards and methods, analyzes problem situations and acquires data.
• Serves as key member of business unit leadership team.
• Serves as primary liaison to other operations/business units for affected operations and/or products.
• Manages associates, including performance management, salary planning and administration, training and development, workflow and organizational planning, hiring and placement and disciplinary actions.
• Serves as a leadership development role based on office needs and individual career path development plans.
• May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the business unit executive/officer; leads a team of professionals and/or vendors.

Typical Skills and Experiences

Education: Undergraduate studies in business, accounting and finance preferred.

Experience: Typically, ten or more years of demonstrated experience in business management with emphasis on financial analysis, project management and leadership. At least five years of management experience required.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: In-depth knowledge of business unit products services organizational structure and critical initiatives. Working knowledge of insurance or financial services operations including technology, financial analysis, and quality/training initiatives preferred. Demonstrated decision-making skills, including the ability to recognize, analyze and improve operational and financial performance. Strong verbal and written communications skills for internal/external contacts, negotiations and presentations. Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Values

Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environments. Occasional 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.

This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states.

Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations.

For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdf

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 09/23/2026. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision
• Life insurance
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid time off: newly hired associates receive 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

Equal Opportunity

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

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.

Compensation

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.

National salary range for Director, Staff Operations: $122,000.00-$214,000.00

Expected starting salary range for Director, Staff Operations: $122,000.00 - $182,000.00