Product Manager - Sustainable Finance Industry Manager

Product Manager - Sustainable Finance Industry Manager

Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Nationwide Building Society

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive sustainability in business banking, helping customers decarbonise and become responsible.
  • Company: Nationwide, a leading mutual bank focused on responsible business practices.
  • Benefits: 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, competitive pension, and performance bonuses.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and development.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of sustainable finance while making a real impact on businesses.
  • Qualifications: Experience in business banking or sustainability, excellent communication skills, and stakeholder management.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

Do you want to have an influence on making the UK a more responsible business market, helping our business customers to decarbonise and make their business more responsible? Following the acquisition of Virgin Money, Nationwide is on a bold journey to build leading, relationship‑led business banking, combining strong customer advocacy, deep sector and local knowledge, sustainable growth and disciplined risk management aligned to the benefits of being a modern mutual.

We are seeking a Product Manager – Sustainable Finance Industry Manager to deliver sector‑specific sustainability to our customers whilst supporting Nationwide to deliver responsible business banking as we bring the mutual model to the UK SME market. You will specialise in either Agriculture & Energy, or Manufacturing & Transport, and you’ll use specialist knowledge on decarbonisation and broader challenges and opportunities in what makes a responsible business – working directly with customers, professional advisors and other stakeholders to engage, understand and influence customers on current and future actions to help them become a more responsible business.

This is a new role, with opportunity to shape, influence and drive how we engage with (primarily) larger borrowing customers – working closely with senior colleagues in Business Banking, Risk and Finance to design and deliver on a range of initiatives, including but not limited to policy progress, data enhancements and customer experience. This will be done in a style that reflects Nationwide’s values: customer‑first, inclusive, collaborative and principled.

The role sits within the Business Management function who oversee delivery across Business Banking by coordinating priorities, unblocking issues, and driving pace, focus and execution across the leadership agenda. The team is responsible for driving Business Banking performance, sustainability and engagement, strengthening connection, clarity and capability.

The Product Manager – Sustainable Finance Industry Manager is a new role – with an opportunity for the successful candidate to shape and evolve the role – with an overarching ambition to help our business customers with their sustainability ambitions. 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 role, you will be part of our growing Business Banking team, meeting with and supporting customers across your assigned region. As such, you can be based anywhere across the mainland UK, provided you are able to travel regularly to meet clients within your region. Additionally, there will be a need to regularly connect with colleagues through collaboration events at one of our office locations. These are currently expected to take place monthly in Glasgow or London, although locations may vary.

If your application is successful, your hiring manager will share further details on how this will work in practice. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here. You’ll be employed by Nationwide from day one, delivering real impact and benefitting from a highly competitive range of benefits. We’re a workplace where you’re rewarded, recognised and celebrated.

Responsibilities
  • The role involves supporting customers and relationship managers by providing specialist sector knowledge across key industries, including Agriculture & Energy and Manufacturing & Transport, with a particular emphasis on energy and environmental transitions. A central responsibility is helping customers embed technical understanding of tools such as the Future‑Fit Business Benchmark, Trinity AgTech, Science‑Based Targets, financed‑emissions methodologies, and the Climate Change Committee’s pathway to net zero.
  • You’ll work directly with larger borrowing customers—typically those with lending in excess of £1 million—to understand and assess their sustainability progress, including the performance and resilience of their supply chains. It also contributes to the development and implementation of customer sustainability strategies, particularly those focused on energy and environmental priorities, while advising on the financial requirements needed to deliver these plans.
  • In addition, the role provides sector‑specific insight and guidance that adds value as customers navigate the challenges and opportunities within their industries, supporting them in managing their businesses sustainably and competitively.
  • The role requires subject‑matter expertise in sustainability products, including both Nationwide‑developed solutions and market‑standard products established by the Loan Market Association (LMA) and other industry bodies. This expertise supports the design, delivery and ongoing management of a Future‑Fit loan suite, along with any relevant specialist sector products.
  • A key responsibility is working closely with relationship managers to support execution, taking end‑to‑end ownership of the validation process. For positions focused on Agriculture & Energy, the role also includes managing the organisation’s digital environmental tool, Rapid by Trinity AgTech, and collaborating with the Head of Agriculture and the Senior Manager for Sustainable Finance to shape and deliver the future strategic direction.
  • You’ll work in collaboration with key stakeholders across the organisation to embed a Sustainable Finance Framework into the Group, whilst exploring careful risk appetite expansion.
Qualifications
  • A track record for excellence in business banking or sustainability, including specific industry knowledge.
  • Excellent communication, thought leadership and influencing skills, both written and verbal, building instant credibility with stakeholders internally and externally.
  • Hold, or willing to work towards an industry specific accreditation, in addition to becoming a Future‑Fit Accredited Advisor.
  • Exceptional stakeholder manager skills with a demonstrable track record of influencing senior stakeholders.
  • Experience, or an appetite to develop, an understanding and interpretation of financial statements and where businesses have opportunities to make ESG related commercial investments.
  • The aptitude to assimilate, understand, and efficiently present complex information to colleagues and customers in a simple manner.
  • The ability to deliver to specific deadlines, working on your own initiative.
  • An understanding of policies, procedures, and regulations, ensuring these are always adhered to.
Benefits
  • 25 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.

Product Manager - Sustainable Finance Industry Manager employer: Nationwide Building Society

Nationwide is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to influence the sustainable finance landscape while working in a collaborative and inclusive environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will benefit from extensive training and development opportunities, a competitive benefits package, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the UK business market as we support our customers in their sustainability journeys.

Nationwide Building Society

Contact Details:

Nationwide Building Society Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Product Manager - Sustainable Finance Industry Manager

Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Nationwide Building Society. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager - Sustainable Finance Industry Manager

Sustainability Knowledge
Sector-Specific Expertise
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Influencing Skills
Financial Statement Interpretation
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Nationwide Building Society.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Nationwide Building Society's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Nationwide Building Society

Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Nationwide Building Society.

Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at Nationwide Building Society will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former Nationwide Building Society employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.