Director, Inclusive Culture- Strategic Partnerships & Programs

If you’re passionate about becoming a Nationwide associate and believe you have the potential to be something great, let’s talk. At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.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 both internal and external. This leader ensures that Nationwide’s inclusive culture strategy is effectively operationalized and consistently delivered, bringing clarity, structure, and measurable impact to complex work.What Makes Someone EffectiveSuccessful candidates will build strong external partnerships, execution discipline, sound judgment, and the ability to lead through complexity, including:Interpreting and operationalizing strategy without needing fully defined directionNavigating competing priorities across stakeholders while maintaining forward momentumBringing clarity and structure to ambiguous or evolving workEnabling executive-level outcomes while maintaining ownership of executionKey Indicators of SuccessStrong execution and delivery of strategic external partnerships and enterprise programming aligned to business prioritiesEffective integration across stakeholders ( External partners, HR, Talent Acquisition, Marketing, ARGs, and business units) to drive alignment and reduce fragmentationDisciplined partnership management, with clear governance, lifecycle management, and performance focusOperational rigor, including planning, budgeting, and risk managementClear measurement of impact, using data and insights to inform decisions and strengthen outcomesDevelopment of a high-performing team, with clear priorities and accountabilityInclusive Leadership Expectations: Success in this role requires a demonstrated ability to lead inclusively in practice.This leader:Seeks and values diverse perspectives, especially when they challenge initial thinkingDemonstrates intellectual humility, adjusting views based on new information and contextLeads with curiosity, empathy, and respect, fostering productive dialogue and trustBuilds alignment across differences while maintaining focus on outcomesBest Fit for This Role - This role is well suited for individuals who:Thrive in complex, fast-paced environmentsEnjoy building partnership structure and operational rhythm behind high-impact workAre energized by connecting people, priorities, and processesTake pride in execution excellence and accountabilityImportant 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 SummaryWould 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.As Director, Inclusive Culture – Strategic Partnerships & Programs, you are responsible for integrating, executing, and scaling Nationwide’s inclusive culture strategy through external partnerships and enterprise programming. This role translates enterprise direction set by the Senior AVP, Inclusive Culture into operational plans, governance, and measurable outcomes. The Director acts as a people leader, enterprise integrator, and external facing execution leader, ensuring that partnerships, programming, and recognition efforts are aligned to business priorities, deliver return on investment, and reinforce Nationwide’s reputation as an inclusive employer of choice.Job DescriptionKey Responsibilities: Strategic Integration & ExecutionOperationalize inclusive culture and partnership strategy established by the Senior AVP, ensuring consistent execution across the enterpriseIntegrate external partnerships with internal priorities across HR, Talent Acquisition, Marketing, ARGs, and Business UnitsServe as the primary owner of execution plans, timelines, and delivery for strategic partnerships and inclusive programmingPartnership Management & GovernanceManage the day-to-day health, performance, and activation of assigned strategic partnershipsImplement and maintain a structured partnership lifecycle (evaluation, activation, optimization, sunsetting)Ensure compliance with enterprise governance standards, contracts, and financial controlsEscalate strategic, reputational, or investment decisions to the Senior AVP as appropriateInclusive Programming & ActivationOversee planning and delivery of inclusive culture programming, events, sponsorships, awards, and experiential activationsEnsure programming drives engagement, connection, and meaningful associate and leader participationCoordinate executive involvement in key moments while maintaining operational ownership of deliveryMeasurement, Insights & ReportingOwn operational metrics, dashboards, and reporting related to partnerships, programming, and ROIAnalyze performance data and trends to inform recommendations to senior leadershipSupport external survey submissions, recognition efforts, and benchmarking activities from an execution and data standpointTeam Leadership & Resource ManagementLead, develop, and coach a team of consultants responsible for partnership execution and program deliverySet priorities, manage capacity, and ensure accountability and consistency across workstreamsManage budgets, forecasts, invoice approvals, and vendor relationships tied to partnerships and programsExternal & Cross‑Functional CollaborationRepresent Nationwide in external forums, events, and partner engagements aligned to execution and relationship managementPar