Sr. Consultant, Business Program Management

Compensation Grade: H3

The role will support User Experience for IPSO Operations for Annuity Modernization. The role will provide vision and strategic direction. Vast Annuity knowledge, the ability to influence and build relationships, strong communication and decision making skills are essential.

Job Description Summary

We are a versatile group of individuals, working together to meet the needs of our customers. We value knowledge, strong business savvy and contributing to a stellar team environment. If you thrive in a busy, engaging work environment, we want to know more about you!

As a Senior Consultant, you'll direct the strategic alignment and success of major corporate programs and initiatives. You will prioritize, approve and ensure the completion of new product development, design of new processes, adoption of new strategies and/or programs within time, budget and specification constraints. You'll provide a single point of contact integration for individual projects into larger program management on a corporate-wide basis.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Directs the evaluation of proposed business development efforts, including the coordination of initial program/project proposals and charters. Recommends to senior management if program/project strategically aligns with the organization's strategy and objectives.

• Consults with leadership and assigned project team to identify scope/specifications and business needs, writes proposals, prepares risk assessments and establishes budgets and timeframes for major programs and team based activities, with the goal of ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and objectives.

• Determines the allocation and funding for programs/projects and their initiatives.

• Directs the development of business perspective work plans to identify needed resources to deliver program/project charters, requirements, user acceptance testing strategies, training and system implementation.

• Monitors and assesses all projects and pivotal initiatives and communicates status to senior leadership. Ensures and leads the communication to and incorporation of feedback from customers on proposed, developing and completed projects and initiatives. Evaluates all related vendor deliverables.

• Handles the interfaces between projects, acting as a liaison between project managers and directors, to ensure collaboration and coordination between business unit leadership, program/project development staff, senior management, Nationwide Technology, customers and, if necessary, vendors and outside consultants.

• Identifies technology and human resource commitments across the organization. Provides feedback and makes recommendations to assist in prioritization, formation of cross-functional and/or customer-integrated teams and the reallocation of resources when necessary.

• Identifies gaps, overlaps, conflicts and timelines, as well as budgetary and resource barriers, which affect programs and projects individually and as a whole. Facilitates resolution, mitigation and appropriate elevation. Maintains a log of common issues, risks and changes to promote organizational learning and proactive response.

• Develops, implements and maintains consistent program/project management methodologies and standards for use in the assigned business unit leadership and associated business units.

• Consults and coaches leaders and team members throughout business units on new trends, practices and procedures and tools.

• Acts as a liaison to program management staff in other areas of Nationwide and integrates the workflow in these areas in support of company and business unit strategy.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Officer; may manage team of up to three associates. 

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate degree required with studies in business, insurance or related field preferred. MBA or other graduate level education equivalent is desired.

License/Certification/Designation: Project Management Certification is strongly preferred. Industry designations such as CPCU, CLU and/or ChFC are highly desired.

Experience: Ten or more years of related project/program management experience.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Proven knowledge of project management tools, concepts, and methodologies. Demonstrated proficiency in key competencies of effective program/project management. Effective interpersonal skills for interaction with project managers, senior leadership and program steering committees. Ability to manage large, sophisticated programs/projects. Must have the ability to maintain focus on the holistic focus of a program and integrate the separate projects together. Ability to influence change. 

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. 

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the business unit Vice President and Human Resources Vice President.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

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.