At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic branch, inspire your team, and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Company: Join Nationwide, a purpose-driven mutual that prioritises customers and communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a competitive pension.
- Other info: Be part of a community that celebrates achievements and values personal development.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Proven retail management experience and a passion for excellent customer service.
The predicted salary is between 27450 - 33550 £ per year.
You'll be responsible for one of our largest branches in a key location.
If you've already proved your worth in a high-profile retail role, motivating people, improving performance and delivering fantastic customer service - this is your opportunity to show what you can do.
We need a Senior Branch Manager for our branch in Bedford, Bedfordshire.
This role is a permanent role, working full time, 35 hours per week, Monday to Saturday.
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 Working in a customer-led culture where all members are provided with the products and services that they need, you'll make sure all regulatory & operational risk requirements are adhered to.
Through effective leadership and guidance, you'll supervise, coach and develop branch staff to deliver their objectives, embedding a culture of continuous improvement in how to deliver the best customer service.
Acting as a role model for our vision and values you'll share best practice on good customer outcomes both within your branch team as well as within your district / region, always looking to deepen relationships with members and build trust.
About you As a minimum requirement you'll be passionate about providing customers with excellent customer service and be able to succeed in meeting challenging service benchmarks, making sure all operational and regulatory risks are effectively managed You'll be an inspiring people manager with the proven ability to bring out the best in a team through extensive management experience.
You will be focused on performance management, utilising your coaching and development skills to add increased value to Nationwide and our members.
Previous managerial experience within a retail environment would be desirable.
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.
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.
The hiring manager for this role is David Barker and the main recruitment contact is Humayra Jhetam.
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
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Branch Manager in Bedford employer: Unstoppably Nationwide
At Nationwide, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Branch Manager role in Bedford. Our commitment to a customer-led culture fosters an environment where employees are empowered to excel, supported by comprehensive training and development opportunities. With a focus on employee well-being, competitive benefits, and a strong sense of community, we ensure that our team members feel valued and inspired to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Branch Manager in Bedford
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Unstoppably Nationwide, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Unstoppably Nationwide!
We think you need these skills to ace Branch Manager in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Unstoppably Nationwide, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Unstoppably Nationwide and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Unstoppably Nationwide that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unstoppably Nationwide
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
