We are seeking a Senior Operational Risk Oversight Manager – Technology Operations and Planning to join our Second Line of Defence team. The successful candidate will lead and coordinate a team of technical risk specialists, ensuring high-quality oversight of operational risk across Technology, Cyber, and Data. This role is essential in maintaining the resilience of our digital services, strengthening our defences, and safeguarding our members’ data. Your work will directly support the delivery of secure and resilient operations for Nationwide and its members.
As part of our independent Second Line Operational Risk Oversight function, you will play a pivotal role in protecting the Society’s systems, information, and processes. The team’s mission is to ensure that non-financial risks are effectively managed, enabling Nationwide to serve its members safely and efficiently. In this role, you will lead a pooled team of technical risk specialists to support the needs of senior risk managers. This includes setting clear direction and priorities, coordinating resources, and ensuring that outputs meet the high standards required to inform senior management and risk committees.
You will work closely with the Head of Operational Risk Oversight (Technology, Cyber, and Data), acting as their delegate when required, and collaborate directly with the Director of Operational Risk to provide timely reporting on team activities and independent risk perspectives. By leading and coaching your team, you will drive continuous improvement in how key technology and operational resilience risks are identified, assessed, and challenged. In addition, you will enhance resource allocation and planning processes to ensure specialists focus on the highest-impact risk issues.
Ultimately, your leadership will help foster a strong risk culture, supporting Nationwide’s strategic objectives and protecting its members through effective operational risk management.
We are happy to consider flexible working approaches to help you perform at your best.
At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.
For this job you'll spend at least two days per week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, based at either our London or Swindon office. If you are aligned to our Glasgow hub (as this is your nearest location), there will be a need to regularly connect and collaborate with colleagues. This is anticipated to be weekly in Glasgow. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here.
If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.
Responsibilities
What you’ll be doing
You will co-ordinate and oversee the operational risk oversight activities for Nationwide’s technology, cyber, and data risks, leading a team of specialist risk managers. Day to day, you’ll allocate and direct your team’s efforts to ensure that supply meets the demands arising from the technical senior risk specialists within the wider team. Your team will deliver this thorough risk reviews and insightful analysis across these areas.
They will work closely with first line teams in evaluating their risk assessments, testing critical controls, and providing expert guidance to ensure risks are identified and mitigated. Nationwide operates an Enterprise Risk Management Framework which your team will help design the evolution of policies, controls, and appetite. Then in turn, they will assess compliance and operational effectiveness using several oversight methods, from in-depth reviews of major systems, processes, and controls through to continuous monitoring of emerging threats, bringing valuable insights and assurance to senior management. Through your leadership, strategic planning, and mentorship, you will enable the team to focus on the highest-impact risks and to continuously improve our oversight practices which will directly support the Director of Operational Risk’s aim to keep our operations secure and our members protected.
You will also be the empowered deputy to the Head of Operational Risk Oversight (Technology, Cyber, and Data), you’ll represent the oversight team in key risk committees and leadership meetings when required, providing credible updates and objective opinions on our technology risk profile.
About you
You will have:
Extensive leadership experience in operational or technology risk management, with a strong understanding of technical risk areas (such as IT, cyber, or data) within a large, regulated organisation
Proven track record of managing and developing teams, including the ability to set strategic direction, allocate resources effectively, and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality outputs across multiple risk disciplines
In-depth knowledge of operational risk frameworks and reporting, supported by hands-on experience preparing materials for executive audiences and contributing to risk governance committees
Strong strategic planning and organisational capabilities, with experience coordinating complex oversight programmes, managing competing priorities, and maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior leaders (up to Director and Executive level) and confidently represent the Second Line in constructive challenge and discussion
Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:
Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind
Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand
Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development
Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes
You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.
Qualifications
The extras you’ll get
There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:
30 days holiday, pro rata
Access to private medical insurance
A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
Access to an annual performance-related bonus
Training and development to help you progress your career
A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death
Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness
Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year
Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society
We forge our own path at Nationwide.
As a mutual, we’re owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don’t see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.
If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us.
At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community, we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.
We are purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.
What to do next
If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us.
We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.
Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Senior Risk Manager.
Contact Details:
Nationwide Building Society Recruitment Team
