Head of audit in London

This new Head of Audit role is an opportunity to play a key part in shaping how our Internal Audit (IA) function delivers for the organisation now and in the years ahead. In addition to managing your own audit portfolio, your focus will be on driving meaningful team progress and performance — creating plans that truly reflect the risks and opportunities in your area and across the Group, making sure we deliver assurance that supports better decisions, stronger outcomes and real improvement.

You’ll be a core member of our new Group Internal Audit (GIA) Operating Committee, working closely with the other Heads of Audit to set the function up for success during and after integration. The Head of Audit will lead on operational oversight for the respective delivery team and through the GIA operating Committee you’ll decide how we organise ourselves, how we prioritise, and how we make sure our work adds real value. This means influencing at senior levels, shaping the way we deliver assurance across the whole function and helping us operate as one joined‑up team with clarity and shared purpose.

The Head of Audits will have close and regular interaction with the GIA Senior Leadership team and assist them in the implementation of the IA Function strategic goals. A big part of the role is acting as a trusted deputy for the Audit Director. You’ll represent the function in senior meetings, provide clear and balanced views, and help keep decision‑making moving even when things are complex or fast‑paced. You’ll bring sound judgement and have the confidence to speak up with insight that makes a difference.

You’ll also be a leader of people at every level. You’ll help build a positive, energetic and high‑performing culture where colleagues feel supported, stretched and proud of what they deliver. You’ll coach and develop future leaders, handle difficult conversations with fairness and clarity, and make sure people have what they need to succeed. This is a senior role with real influence to help us operate at our best — and a brilliant opportunity for someone who aspires to move towards Audit Director level in the future.

This role sits within our Internal Audit leadership team, a group that plays a big part in helping the organisation stay focused on what matters most and deliver for its customers. As part of the new Operating Committee, you’ll work side by side with the other Heads of Audit to shape plans that are relevant, balanced and aligned to the organisation’s strategic goals.

Group Internal Audit is organised into four Delivery Teams:

• The Chief Operating Office
• Retail, Customer and Audit Innovation
• Retail Lending and Business Banking
• Group Functions, Data and Integration

Experience in one or more of these areas will help you understand the risks, challenges and opportunities your portfolio faces. Internal Audit is at an exciting point of change, and these roles give you the chance to help shape how we evolve, innovate and build a function that is trusted, confident and focused on value. Your insight and leadership will influence how we set priorities, how we work with the business and how we help senior leaders stay sighted on the right risks at the right time.

Most importantly, the work you lead will help the organisation make better decisions, strengthen controls and drive improvements that ultimately benefit the customers who rely on us every day. 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, London or Glasgow office. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works.

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.