Strategic Expense Lead - Nationwide Financial Sr. Consultant

About the role

The Strategic Expense Lead is a senior individual contributor responsible for improving expense efficiency and strategic influence across Nationwide Financial. The role connects corporate priorities with business-unit strategy through recommendations on spend, productivity, allocations, benchmarking, AI-enabled opportunities, and other enterprise efficiencies. It brings a cross-business perspective, strengthens Corporate Expense and business-unit relationships, and turns financial and external insights into actions supporting CFO priorities.

This role will work a hybrid schedule from the Columbus, OH headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Shape enterprise expense strategy, including productivity opportunities, allocations, and prioritization.
• Lead or support business-unit expense initiatives, translating analysis into practical recommendations.
• Build trusted relationships with Corporate expense team, CFO leadership teams, and business-unit leaders.
• Standardize effective expense-management practices and lead cross-functional initiatives that build capabilities, share knowledge, and develop future leaders.
• Communicate clear recommendations to senior leaders and influence decisions without direct authority.
• Develops plans, coordinates and manages the most complex financial projects.
• Manages all aspects of financial projects according to project guidelines, budget, impact and scope, and strategic focus.
• Prepares and presents reports to Finance and business leadership.
• Makes recommendations for improving the financial results of the supported business unit/product and/or functional Finance area.
• Analyzes proposed transactions for acceptability and desirability from a financial point of view.
• Leads studies and makes recommendations regarding business unit/company position on specialized financial actions such as investment income, systems, growth support model, corporate financial reporting, cash flow reporting, internal controls and self-assessment, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reinsurance contracts, etc.
• Maintains awareness of major developments in the insurance and financial services industries and regulatory agencies.
• Provides financial counsel and assistance to other functional areas on special projects or programs as assigned or requested.

Requirements

• Advanced financial analysis, expense management, forecasting, and strategic planning skills.
• Strong understanding of cost drivers, allocations, productivity measurement, and expense prioritization.
• Ability to apply benchmarking and external insights to internal decisions, including practical AI and automation opportunities.
• Executive presence with strong communication, stakeholder-management, and influencing skills.
• Strategic business acumen linking expense decisions to business-unit performance and customer outcomes.
• Structured problem-solving skills and an enterprise-minded, collaborative approach across multiple businesses.
• Eight years of related work experience in insurance and/or financial services industry.
• Project management experience.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate studies in finance, accounting, statistics or related subject area. Graduate level studies with advanced degree preferred.
• Technical industry coursework or certifications, e.g., CPCU, CPA, NASD, etc. desirable.
• Technical expertise in advanced financial principles and concepts.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting, statistics, finance, insurance/financial services industry, company organizational structure, regulatory requirements and financial analysis techniques.
• Financial project management practices and methodologies.
• Broad-based knowledge of multiple financial subject areas.
• Advanced communication skills for verbal and written contact; presentation skills.
• Project management concepts and techniques.
• Ability to analyze financial and statistical data and make recommendations for pivotal initiatives.
• Ability to operate a personal computer with various financial and business software applications.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 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

Pay

The national salary range for this role is $122,000.00 - $214,000.00. The expected starting salary range is $122,000.00 - $182,000.00.