We are recruiting for a Secretary. This is a demanding and varied role supporting 2-3 Directors within the Chief Operating Office. If you have experience working within a similar role that will be beneficial, but it’s more important to be highly organised and able to work well under pressure, with attention to detail, and understand the responsibility of handling confidential information.
This role would suit a calm, motivated, disciplined and mature individual with confidence and a proactive nature who is particularly adept at prioritisation and communication.
We are happy to consider flexible working approaches to help you perform at your best.
The working hours (per week) for this role can be between 28 and 35 hours.
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 Swindon or London office. 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
Providing full diary management to the Directors, including arranging and reprioritising meetings, coordinating complex travel, and supporting forward planning. Supporting communications, events, logistics such as venue bookings, and ad hoc requests as needed. Assisting with onboarding new members of the Directors’ leadership teams and managing monthly expenses, invoices, and HR administration.
Maintaining up-to-date organisational materials (e.g. structure charts) and Teams sites, while ensuring information flow to and from the Directors is timely and accurate. Preparing and formatting materials for internal and external meetings and communications, and consistently delivering a professional, proactive service with high standards, discretion, flexibility, and integrity.
About you
- Organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively
- Clear and professional communication with experience of managing upwards to Director level
- High attention to detail and accuracy in all outputs
- Exceptional diary management experience
- Proactive approach with the ability to identify issues and solve problems independently
- Confident use of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
- Experience of handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately
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 Verity Bowles, and the main recruitment contact is Nathan Richens.
Contact Details:
Nationwide Building Society Recruitment Team
