Operations Excellence Lead, Pet Insurance - REMOTE

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; California; Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical/dental/vision

life insurance

short and long term disability

paid time off

nine paid holidays

401(k) with company match

company-paid pension plan

business casual attire

Job summary

Nationwide Financial is seeking a Consultant, Process Improvement to join the Business Performance team within Operational Excellence. You will analyze complex processes, identify root causes, and drive redesigns to improve quality, reduce cost, and increase efficiency across multiple business units.

You will guide process redesign initiatives, facilitate root-cause analysis, and leverage tools to standardize and simplify workflows.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of experience in business process design or operations.
• Undergraduate degree in business, mathematics or related field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of process analysis, design and implementation; solid program management and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop configuration, customization, deployment, maintenance of processes.
• Lead process redesign and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with executives and core functions on process optimization.
• Mentor others on process design techniques and tools.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate external consulting services.

Skills

Process analysis

Process design

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Undergraduate degree in business or related field

Job description

Are you passionate about being part of a team at a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales that delivers extraordinary care to help individuals and businesses prepare for and protect their future? If so, then Nationwide Financial could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers and partners are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care. As a Consultant, Process Improvement on the Business Performance team in Operational Excellence, you will help the organization work smarter by making it easier to identify waste, understand why problems occur, remove redundant steps, and improve the way work gets done. You will partner with leaders and business partners across core functions to analyze complex business and systems processes, uncover root causes, and turn findings into practical changes that improve quality, reduce cost, strengthen controls, and support more efficient operations. Your work will influence multiple business units and create measurable value beyond a single project. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing clarity to complexity and leading through influence. You will guide process redesign and improvement initiatives, facilitate root‑cause analysis, evaluate current workflows and tools, and recommend where to simplify, standardize, redesign, or eliminate work. By helping teams solve problems at their source — not just treat symptoms — you will create improvements that last and free time and resources for higher‑value work. This role does not qualify for employer sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT extension program.

Job Description Summary

Are you process focused and detail oriented? Do you thrive in a busy, engaging work environment? If so, we want to know more about you! As a Consultant, you'll provide expertise on business and/or systems processes. You'll work on complex process analysis, design, implementation, execution or operational management. You'll drive analysis of existing processes, procedures and methods to ensure and promote effective business operations through standardization, improvement, simplification or discontinuance.

Key Responsibilities

• Utilizes expertise in design, development configuration, customization, deployment, maintenance and updating of processes and procedures.
• Ensures processes are followed within organization and effectively manages customer communication.
• Manages day‑to‑day operations of business and systems processes, including the operation of process‑related tools.
• Runs key process events and the fulfillment of customer requests and process results through all phases of the process life cycle.
• Consults and provides expertise to executives, customers and core business functions on process redesign and/or re‑engineering initiatives and projects through continuous process improvements.
• Consults as a process specialist on process evaluations and develops recommendations by using benchmarks, pilots, prototyping and modeling to assess potential use of new methods and workflows.
• Develops and provides recommendations on possible process, tool and control improvements to increase the quality and optimization of business services and resources.
• Leads ongoing process design activities for a given set of customers.
• Provides experienced consultation for sophisticated process tools and methods in order to develop, design, implement, monitor, maintain, operate and improve business and/or system processes.
• Mentors, educates and trains others on the use of process design techniques, methods and tools.
• Initiates, develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, partners and suppliers to support customer or systems plans.
• Manages service evaluations on outside consulting service vendors.
• Earns recognition across the organization for process design, support and operational expertise and is sought as a resource for resolution of complex design, implementation, support and operational problems.
• Serves as consultant for the most complex process design projects involving process subject areas and impacting multiple business units.
• Contributes to the overall strategic vision and provides a broad range of ideas regarding process design, implementation, support and operation initiatives.
• May serve in an operational authority or approval role in the execution of processes.
• May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to Manager/Director and does not have direct reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences

Education: Undergraduate degree in business, mathematics or related field preferred. License/Certification/Designation: Process-related certifications preferred. Product-related technical insurance course work, e.g., CPCU, CPU, LOMA, preferred.

Experience: Typically, eight or more years of experience in business process design or operations.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Maintains and comprehends business process operations or redesign techniques, methods and tools. Understanding of trends to support process design and operations to improve performance. Must have demonstrated expertise in process analysis, process design and process implementation. Demonstrated knowledge of project management concepts and techniques required. Proven understanding of customer business environment. Proficiency in process development or process operations preferred. Proven leadership skills including ability to virtually lead teams. Strong ability to work with process vendors in the delivery of project solutions. Possess strong communication skills and the ability to make decisions and recommendations on process strategies. Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the Director and HR Business Officer.

Values

Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not eligible). Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional travel, non-standard or extended work may be required based on project needs. Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.

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.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 11/12/2026. 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 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

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.

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 more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247. 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

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 Consultant, Process Management : $87,000.00-$162,000.00.

The expected starting salary range for Consultant, Process Management : $87,000.00 - $131,000.00.

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.