Summer 2027 Personal Lines Sales Distribution Direct Sales Intern

Nationwide Insurance and Financial Services; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Networking events

Mentorship opportunities

Job summary

Nationwide is seeking a Personal Lines Sales & Distribution Direct Sales Intern in Des Moines, IA. The 12-week program focuses on learning Direct Sales operations, retention strategies, and reporting. You will collaborate with NSS, create dashboards, and apply AI/automation tools to real business opportunities.

You will develop executive-level presentations, participate in strategic projects, and gain exposure to how Nationwide makes data-driven decisions within a Fortune 100 context.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Finance, Risk Management & Insurance, Communications, Data Analytics, Liberal Arts, or related field.
• Completion of sophomore or junior year preferred.
• Involvement in student organizations, leadership activities, internships or relevant experiences preferred.

Responsibilities

• Learn the fundamentals of Nationwide's Direct Sales and Retention operations and how sales teams drive business results.
• Support strategic initiatives and special projects in partnership with NSS team.
• Analyze sales and retention data to identify trends, opportunities, and actionable insights.
• Develop reports, presentations, and dashboards to inform business decisions and measure program effectiveness.
• Utilize emerging technologies, including AI, automation tools, and Salesforce, to support business initiatives.
• Assist with sales campaigns, process improvements, and operational initiatives to improve customer acquisition and retention.
• Participate in Lean Six Sigma activities, lean huddles, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Evaluate pilot programs and test-and-learn initiatives to understand business impact and next steps.
• Build relationships with sales and retention professionals to understand business needs and priorities.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Presentation skills

Problem solving

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree pursuit in business-related field

Sophomore or junior year preferred

Tools

Power BI

Salesforce

Power Automate

Job description

If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them at a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team 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.

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Nationwide is a leader in the insurance and financial services industry in America. We are a Fortune 100 company with a mission to protect people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care.

The Nationwide summer internship program is designed to empower you, allowing you to forge a strong foundation for your career. Over the course of 12 weeks, Nationwide interns take part in key business assignments that make a difference, all while enhancing their leadership competencies.

As a Nationwide intern, you’ll enjoy everything that makes us great. From professional development sessions and networking events to collaborations with company leaders, your internship will take on a meaningful journey through the Nationwide experience. Our award-winning culture will ensure you feel welcomed, challenged and encouraged every step of the way!

Job Description

Are You Our Next Sales & Distribution Direct Intern?

About Our Team

The Personal Lines Sales & Distribution Direct Sales team supports customer acquisition and retention by developing sales strategies, optimizing processes, leveraging technology, and identifying opportunities to improve business performance. In partnership with the Nationwide Sales Solutions (NSS) organization, we help deliver initiatives that enable sales teams to achieve results and provide exceptional customer experiences.

Success on our team requires analytical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and a willingness to learn. Interns gain exposure to sales operations, business strategy, process improvement, performance management, and emerging technologies while contributing to projects that directly impact the business.

Job Summary

A day in the life of a Personal Lines Sales & Distribution Direct Sales Intern might include:

• Learning the fundamentals of Nationwide's Direct Sales and Retention operations and how sales teams drive business results.
• Supporting strategic initiatives and special projects in partnership with the Nationwide Sales Solutions (NSS) team.
• Analyzing sales and retention data to identify trends, opportunities, and actionable business insights.
• Developing reports, presentations, and dashboards that help inform business decisions and measure program effectiveness.
• Utilizing emerging technologies, including AI, automation tools, and Salesforce, to support business initiatives.
• Assisting with sales campaigns, process improvements, and operational initiatives designed to improve customer acquisition and retention.
• Participating in Lean Six Sigma activities, Lean huddles, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Evaluating pilot programs and test-and-learn initiatives to understand business impact and recommend next steps.
• Building relationships with sales and retention professionals to better understand business needs and organizational priorities.
• Collaborating with Sales, Property & Casualty partners, and fellow interns on strategic projects and assignments.
• Completing a capstone project focused on identifying a business opportunity, developing a recommendation, and presenting findings to Personal Lines Sales leadership.

What's In It for You

• Exposure to sales strategy, sales operations, and customer retention within a Fortune 100 organization.
• Hands-on experience with business reporting, analytics, process improvement, and strategic planning.
• Opportunities to work with emerging technologies, including AI and automation tools.
• Experience developing executive-level presentations and business recommendations.
• Professional development, networking, and mentorship opportunities.
• Visibility into how business decisions are made and implemented across the Direct Sales organization.

About You

A successful Personal Lines Sales & Distribution Direct Sales Intern at Nationwide has:

Education

• Pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Finance, Risk Management & Insurance, Communications, Data Analytics, Liberal Arts, or a related field.
• Completion of sophomore or junior year preferred.
• Involvement in student organizations, leadership activities, business fraternities, internships, or other relevant experiences preferred.

Skills/Competencies

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret information and develop meaningful business recommendations.
• Interest in sales, customer acquisition, retention, business strategy, or operations.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Interest in emerging technologies, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Self-starter with a growth mindset, intellectual curiosity, and willingness to learn.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership through work experience, student organizations, campus involvement, or community activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating reports, presentations, or dashboards using business data.
• Familiarity with Power BI, Salesforce, Power Automate, or similar business tools.
• Interest in sales operations, strategy, customer experience, or process improvement.

Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT Extension program. At its sole discretion, Nationwide determines whether to offer sponsorship for qualifying positions based on business need and budget. However, sponsorship is not usually available for entry-level roles.

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.

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.

The national hourly pay range for Nationwide Internships is: $23 - $50