Success in this role is defined by the ability to translate strategy into disciplined execution at scale within a highly cross‑functional and visible environment. This leader ensures that Nationwide’s inclusive culture strategy is effectively operationalized and consistently delivered, bringing clarity, structure, and measurable impact to complex work.
Key Indicators of Success
What Makes Someone Effective
Successful candidates bring strong execution discipline, sound judgment, and the ability to lead through complexity, including:
Inclusive Leadership Expectations: Success in this role requires a demonstrated ability to lead inclusively in practice.
This leader:
Best Fit for This Role - This role is well suited for individuals who:
Important to Know: This is a delivery-focused leadership role. It is not the primary owner of enterprise strategy, but is critical in ensuring that strategy is executed effectively, consistently, and at scale.
This is a hybrid role based in Columbus, Ohio, requiring 3 days per week in office and 40% travel. We welcome candidates who are local to the area or willing to relocate to Columbus.
Job Description Summary
Would you like to work for a company that puts the customer at the center of everything we do? If so, Nationwide is an outstanding workplace where you will engage with the brightest and most passionate individuals in the business.Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Integration & Execution
Operationalize inclusive culture and partnership strategy established by the Senior AVP, ensuring consistent execution across the enterprise
Integrate external partnerships with internal priorities across HR, Talent Acquisition, Marketing, ARGs, and Business Units
Serve as the primary owner of execution plans, timelines, and delivery for strategic partnerships and inclusive programming
Partnership Management & Governance
Manage the day-to-day health, performance, and activation of assigned strategic partnerships
Implement and maintain a structured partnership lifecycle (evaluation, activation, optimization, sunsetting)
Ensure compliance with enterprise governance standards, contracts, and financial controls
Escalate strategic, reputational, or investment decisions to the Senior AVP as appropriate
Inclusive Programming & Activation
Oversee planning and delivery of inclusive culture programming, events, sponsorships, awards, and experiential activations
Ensure programming drives engagement, connection, and meaningful associate and leader participation
Coordinate executive involvement in key moments while maintaining operational ownership of delivery
Measurement, Insights & Reporting
Own operational metrics, dashboards, and reporting related to partnerships, programming, and ROI
Analyze performance data and trends to inform recommendations to senior leadership
Support external survey submissions, recognition efforts, and benchmarking activities from an execution and data standpoint
Team Leadership & Resource Management
Lead, develop, and coach a team of consultants responsible for partnership execution and program delivery
Set priorities, manage capacity, and ensure accountability and consistency across workstreams
Manage budgets, forecasts, invoice approvals, and vendor relationships tied to partnerships and programs
External & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Represent Nationwide in external forums, events, and partner engagements aligned to execution and relationship management
Partner with Marketing and Communications to amplify initiatives internally and externally
Build strong, trust-based relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
Identify tools, technologies, and best practices that improve scalability, efficiency, and impact
Monitor industry and marketplace trends to continuously elevate the partnership and program model
Leadership Expectations
Operates as a connector across complex stakeholder environments
Demonstrates strong judgment, influence, and execution discipline
Leads with inclusion, clarity, and accountability
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Reporting Relationships: Reports to: Senior AVP, Inclusive Culture.
Manages a team of approximately 3–5 associates; may also manage external vendors and other third‑party resources that support partnership and program execution.
Typical Skills and Experiences:
Education:
Undergraduate degree in human resources, multicultural or diversity studies, business, marketing, or a related field. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
Experience:
Typically, ten or more years of progressively responsible experience developing and delivering inclusion, culture, belonging, branding, or strategic partnership programs in a large, complex organization, preferably a Fortune 500 company. Experience leading cross‑functional initiatives, managing external partnerships or sponsorships, and delivering large‑scale programming and events is required.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:
Deep knowledge of inclusion and belonging principles, inclusive culture strategies, and enterprise programming that drive engagement, talent, and reputation outcomes. Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment while leading multiple, high‑impact initiatives with clarity, focus, and alignment to strategy. Strong capabilities in strategic planning, program and event design, execution, and evaluation, including the use of metrics, dashboards, and ROI analysis. Proven ability to build and manage strategic partnerships, including governance, contract and vendor management, and resource optimization. Excellent communication, storytelling, and prese