At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research to shape business decisions and enhance brand growth.
- Company: Join a leading financial services provider with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional development and volunteering.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by translating data into compelling stories that drive strategy.
- Qualifications: Experience in research, strong storytelling skills, and proficiency in data visualisation tools.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a curious, analytical, and strategic thinker to join our team as a Research & Insights Manager. This role is pivotal in shaping business decisions through the design and delivery of high-impact research. This role is part of our Marketing Effectiveness, Analytics, and Brand Performance team. The team is responsible for assessing the performance of our brand and communications. We provide strategic direction to the business on improving and optimising communication plans to enhance brand growth. Additionally, we handle executive reporting, delivering regular performance updates to the Executive Committee and the Board to inform the strategic direction and planning of our brand and marketing strategies.
This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract. 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. 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.
The extras you’ll get:
- 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
As our Research & Insights Manager, you will lead end‑to‑end research activity linked to the integration of Virgin Money, using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover meaningful, actionable insight. Working across evolving brand and communication plans, you will shape research briefs, manage delivery, and ensure outputs are timely, relevant, and clearly aligned to business needs.
You will translate complex data into executive ready stories, producing clear and visually engaging reports that support strategic decision‑making and resonate with senior stakeholders. This will involve bringing together insight from multiple sources, including consumer behaviour, competitor activity, and the wider media landscape, to create a rounded and forward‑looking view. You will work closely with internal teams and external research partners to maintain high standards throughout the research process, with a strong focus on accuracy, clarity, and attention to detail. Through confident storytelling and thoughtful communication, you will make insight accessible and impactful across the organisation, helping teams understand not just what the data shows, but why it matters.
For this role, you will have:
- Advanced storytelling and reporting skills – able to distil complex data into clear, compelling narratives that drive strategic decisions
- Strong visualisation capabilities – skilled in translating insights into executive‑ready formats using tools like PowerPoint, Excel, Tableau, or Power BI
- Proven experience in research and insights, ideally within a corporate or agency setting, with a track record of influencing brand and media strategy
- Expertise in qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with the ability to select and apply the right approach to answer business questions
- Exceptional attention to detail and data accuracy, ensuring insights are both credible and impactful
- Clear and confident communication, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and cross‑functional teams
- Effective project management, balancing multiple priorities and timelines with precision
- Experience working with third party research agencies
Research & Insights Manager in London employer: Nationwide
Contact Detail:
Nationwide Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research & Insights Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to show how your skills align with their goals, especially in research and insights!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills. You’ll need to translate complex data into engaging narratives, so get comfortable explaining your insights clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Research & Insights Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Curiosity: As a Research & Insights Manager, curiosity is key! Make sure your application reflects your analytical mindset and eagerness to dive deep into data. Share examples of how you've used research to drive decisions in the past.
Craft Compelling Narratives: We love a good story! When writing your application, focus on how you can distil complex data into clear, engaging narratives. Highlight your storytelling skills and how they’ve influenced strategic decisions in previous roles.
Highlight Your Visualisation Skills: Since you'll be translating insights into executive-ready formats, don’t forget to mention your experience with tools like PowerPoint, Excel, or Tableau. Show us how you can make data visually appealing and easy to understand!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nationwide
✨Know Your Research Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, and think of specific examples where your insights led to strategic decisions.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
Since this role requires advanced storytelling skills, prepare to showcase how you can distil complex data into compelling narratives. Bring along a sample report or presentation that highlights your ability to create engaging visuals and clear insights.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Practice how you would communicate insights to senior stakeholders. Think about how to make your findings accessible and impactful, and be prepared to answer questions about how your insights can influence brand and media strategy.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss how you manage multiple priorities and timelines. Share examples of past projects where you balanced various tasks effectively, ensuring high standards throughout the research process.