As part of our independent Second Line Operational Risk Oversight team, you will play a pivotal role in delivering the Society’s objectives. The team’s mission is to ensure that non-financial risks are effectively managed, enabling Nationwide to serve its members safely and efficiently.
Nationwide is committed to responsibly embracing AI technologies to enhance member experience and improve operational efficiency. However, we must also carefully manage the unique risks these technologies present. In this role, you will help shape how we govern and oversee the operational risks associated with the use of AI, from automated decision-making systems to machine learning tools. You will ensure compliance with evolving regulatory requirements, uphold high ethical standards, and maintain the trust of our members.
Working closely with first-line teams, you will provide expert risk guidance—challenging design and deployment decisions, advising on appropriate controls, and ensuring robust oversight and governance are in place for AI initiatives. Through your oversight activities, including continuous monitoring, risk assessments, and targeted deep-dive reviews, you will identify potential issues (such as data privacy concerns, bias, model stability, and resilience) and support the business in addressing them effectively.
Your work will provide senior leadership and the Director of Operational Risk with assurance that Nationwide’s use of AI is both innovative and well controlled, balancing the drive for innovation with safety, fairness, and accountability for our members.
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
Whilst these locations are where we are primarily looking to fill the role, if you’re an internal applicant based in a different location, we would welcome your application and if successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this could work for this specific role. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here..
Nationwide is committed to the redeployment of our employees impacted by change, as such applications for redeployment candidates will be prioritised in this recruitment process.
If you’re a colleague on long-term absence (for example, on parental leave) or a temporary worker, please use your personal email address to submit an application.
Responsibilities
What you’ll be doing
You will provide operational risk oversight for all risks arising from Nationwide’s use of AI, both internally and through our partners. You will oversee and challenge the application of AI and related technologies across the organisation, ensuring that we realise the benefits of AI while managing associated risks responsibly.
On a typical day, you may work closely with teams developing AI solutions, reviewing their risk assessments and control frameworks to ensure that key considerations—such as data quality, privacy, and model fairness—are appropriately addressed. You will remain up to date with emerging AI regulations and industry best practices, advising the business on how to maintain compliance and uphold ethical standards in the use of AI.
Through oversight activities such as continuous monitoring, scenario analysis, and in-depth reviews of high-impact AI use cases, you will help identify potential AI-related operational risks, including those relating to data quality, security vulnerabilities, and operational disruption. You will work collaboratively with first-line teams to strengthen controls and governance frameworks.
By partnering with colleagues across Operational Risk, Model Risk, and other specialist teams, you will ensure that our approach to AI oversight is comprehensive and effective. Your work will support the Director of Operational Risk in balancing innovation with safety and accountability, helping to build and maintain our members’ confidence in Nationwide’s use of advanced technologies.
About you
Demonstrable expertise in technology, data, or AI risk management, including familiarity with AI governance and emerging artificial intelligence regulations, enabling effective challenge of first-line teams on AI-related risks and controls
Strong background in risk management or audit within a complex organisation, ideally with exposure to technology or data risk, equipping you to oversee new and evolving areas such as AI
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts and control requirements into clear, accessible language, and to influence both technical teams and business leaders on managing AI risks
Proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing risks in innovative or ambiguous areas, and the confidence to make balanced, well-informed recommendations
Highly adaptable and curious, with a strong interest in emerging technologies, a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends, and the ability to respond effectively to new challenges within the evolving AI risk landscape
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:
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
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.
The hiring manager for this role is Sean Wright, and the main recruitment contact is Sameena Rehman.
Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Risk Manager Oversight.
Contact Details:
Nationwide Building Society Recruitment Team
