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.
In this role, you will focus on overseeing operational processes and business practices beyond the core Chief Operating Office (which predominantly sets policies and standards). You will work closely with Business Banking, branch networks, member-facing teams, and head office functions. Your efforts will help ensure that each area of the business maintains robust processes and controls, delivering safe outcomes for our members while meeting regulatory requirements.
You will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and risk teams to assess how business units identify and mitigate risks within their day-to-day operations. Through continuous monitoring, risk reviews, and targeted deep-dive assessments, you will identify process gaps and control weaknesses, and support business areas in strengthening their operational resilience.
A key aspect of this role is the effective application of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework across the Society, ensuring that all areas of Nationwide are aligned with our operational risk standards. In doing so, you will directly support the Director of Operational Risk’s agenda by helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement and strong risk awareness that protects both our members and the Society as a whole.
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 deliver independent operational risk oversight of processes and the effective application of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework. On a typical day, you may review how different business areas manage their process risks or conduct in-depth assessments of key operational processes to evaluate the effectiveness of their controls.
You will work closely with colleagues across first-line teams, as well as risk and compliance specialists, sharing insights and driving improvements in process design and control effectiveness. By leading risk reviews, monitoring key risk indicators, assessing the operational effectiveness of the framework, and participating in risk forums, you will ensure that potential weaknesses are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
Your work will support improvements in operational efficiency, reduce the risk of errors or compliance breaches, and provide valuable assurance to the Director of Operational Risk through independent assessments of the Society’s critical processes and control environments.
About you
Substantial experience in operational risk management or assurance, with a focus on business processes, operational controls, or similar areas within a complex organisation (such as financial services)
Strong understanding of risk and control frameworks and process improvement methodologies, enabling effective assessment of whether business units meet required risk management and compliance standards
Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience collaborating across multiple departments and the confidence to constructively challenge senior stakeholders on risk and control matters
Demonstrated analytical mindset and strong attention to detail, with the ability to identify process gaps, control weaknesses, and opportunities to enhance operational resilience
Flexible and resilient approach to work, with the ability to manage diverse responsibilities across a range of risk topics, prioritise effectively, and adapt to evolving team and business needs
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.
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
