Research & Insights Manager

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.

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