Specialist, User Experience (Designer) at Nationwide in Columbus, OH

Specialist, User Experience (Designer) Location: Ohio - Columbus, One Nationwide Plaza If you're passionate about helping a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales drive their strategy forward through innovative product development and advancing strategic partnerships to protect customers, then Nationwide is the place for you! 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. Nationwide User Experience (UX) is hiring an designer on the Property & Casualty design team. You will iterate across discovery and strategy activities, ideation, concepting, interaction and visual design refinement with a team of other designers, digital product managers and engineering and industry experts. You must be passionate about designing with users’ needs in mind and willing to drive insights that inform our partners’ day-to-day decision making. You will apply UX and UI principles and practices to ensure user-centered digital experiences are designed and delivered. To achieve this, you will collaborate within cross-functional product-centric activities as well as create presentations, lo-fi concepts, information architecture artifacts, high fidelity UI mockups and other product design deliverables. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate has strong skills in UX interaction design, and a solid grasp of other UX disciplines (particularly visual design, less so research and content strategy). Most important, you demonstrate a thorough comprehension of the human-centered design process and feel very comfortable in both the ambiguous discovery phase of identifying the right problem to solve and the detailed work of shipping desirable products. You excel at sharing, evangelizing and iterating ideas with the team and other stakeholders. The ability to communicate and influence design solutions that best meet user needs and business objectives is critical. The ideal candidate has the demonstrated ability to thoughtfully incorporate AI-powered tools and insights to accelerate design work while preserving human-centered judgment and craft quality. You’re comfortable experimenting with, critiquing and responsibly using AI, with a clear understanding of its constraints, risks and ethical implications. Role • Design interaction, flow and navigational scheme for web-based sites and applications, including mobile devices when appropriate • Step in on additional design assignments as they arise Specific Skills • Strong interactive design skills a must • Ability to meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment • Knowledge of web usability and design, information architecture principles Preferred qualifications Schooled in “design thinking” or the human centered design process, especially the creation of low- to medium-fidelity prototypes and having applied it extensively throughout your career. Ability to effectively convey ideas and jump start conversations through whiteboard sketching and related activities. Relevant user interface design experience with consumer applications in one of the following areas: insurance, financial services, startups and technology companies. Working knowledge of evaluative research methodologies. Exemplary ability to build positive, collaborative relationships across teams and functions. This role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the Stem OPT Extension program. Preference is for this role to work hybrid from the Columbus OH offices. Remote work arrangements will be considered for candidates located outside the Columbus area. #LI-MS2 #LI-HYBRID Job Description Summary Do you shine in at least one core user experience (UX) competency? We have a passion for creating exceptional experiences that have a real impact on people’s live and futures. If you understand the value UX provides in achieving strategic objectives and can articulate that value to cross-functional teams and business partners, we want to know more about you! As a Specialist in the User Experience organization, in addition to expertise in one core strength (experience strategy, research, information architecture, interaction design, interface design, front-end development, content strategy or design operations), you’ll need to demonstrate a thorough grasp of a couple others. It'll be important to have an understanding of the design process and ability to work in the ambiguous discovery phase of identifying the right problem to tackle and the details of delivering desirable products. You’ll also have opportunities to work on project teams to distill complex problems into clear solutions that exemplify standard methodologies and encourage others. You will need to be adept at articulating and defending design decisions in a way that can be understood. Job Description Key Responsibilities: Provides creative, technical and strategic input and results to project teams. Collaborates with partners, product managers, technologists, UX peers and others across the company on technical and creative direction. Advocates for empathetic human-centered design and helps mitigate risks by pursuing work based on insights and an understanding of our users. Problem solves, thinks big and explores divergent ideas while understanding how to converge and build iteratively towards the best solution for multiple platforms. Participates in idea-generating sessions and helps capture and evaluate ideas with respect to technical feasibility, business viability and human desirability. Able to think strategically and connect work to a larger picture. Perceive rapid advancements in technology and how customers expect to interact with our company. May perform other responsibilities as assigned. Reporting Relationships: Reports to Manager/Director. This is an individual contributor role. Typical Skills and Experiences: Education: Undergraduate studies in UX, human-computer interaction, psychology, graphic design, information science, communications or related field preferred. Experience: Typically, three or more years professionally practicing some aspect of human-centered design. Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Good verbal and written communication skills. Comfortable explaining design rationale to other parts of the business. Basic understanding of UX principles and the human-centered design process. Able to leverage data to make informed design decisions. Ability to partner with multiple partner groups and tell compelling narratives. Owns work with some manager oversight. Independently and proactively seeks out answers as needed. Proven ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative information and external factors that may influence or have an impact on the company, as well as the customers, distribution systems, operations and strategy. Works with development team to resolve technically complex issues requiring alignment across multiple business partners and subject areas. Proven ability to set work priorities that conform with established objectives, timeframes and accomplish a task in the most effective manner. Ability to work in partnership with cross-functional teams. Understand and make progress toward the company’s consumer performance indicator (CPI) and key performance indicator (KPI) goals. Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and HR Business Partner. Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values. Job Conditions: Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt) Working Conditions: Normal Office Environment. Extended work hours may be necessary during heavier work periods. Travel required as necessary. 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. We currently anticipate accepting applications until 05/15/2026. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline. Benefits We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision,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, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer,click here. Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law. This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states. 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. Additional Locations: United States - Remote