Customer Support Associate in Leeds

Customer Support Associate in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 24833 - 30351 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support customers facing financial difficulties through empathetic conversations and problem-solving.
  • Company: Join Nationwide, a purpose-driven mutual focused on fairer finances.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a competitive pension.
  • Other info: Hybrid working options available with opportunities for career progression.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Strong listening, communication, and empathy skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 24833 - 30351 £ per year.

At Nationwide, we know that financial difficulties can happen to anyone. When our customers need us most, our Financial Care Team is there to provide support, guidance and practical solutions. We're looking for compassionate, curious and resilient individuals to join our frontline telephony team. This is a role where listening matters. Every conversation is an opportunity to understand a customer's circumstances, build trust and help them find a way forward. If you're someone who enjoys helping people, asking the right questions, and finding solutions that genuinely make a difference, this could be the perfect role for you.

In this role you will be working 35 hours per week, and your shifts will be between the hours of 8am - 7pm, Monday to Friday. 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 be located at our nearest regional office or hub. There will be a need to regularly connect with colleagues for collaboration and in some locations you'll be expected to spend at least two days a week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, in the office. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works.

You’ll be employed by Nationwide from day one, delivering real impact and benefitting from a highly competitive range of benefits. We’re a workplace where you’re rewarded, recognised and celebrated.

What you’ll be doing: As a Customer Support Associate within our Financial Care Team, you’ll support customers who may be experiencing financial difficulty and who are struggling to meet their monthly commitments. Through sensitive and often challenging conversations, you’ll take the time to understand each customer’s individual circumstances and identify the most appropriate support available. This is a highly customer-focused telephone role. You’ll spend much of your day speaking directly with customers, so exceptional listening skills, empathy and the ability to build rapport quickly are essential. Often, what makes the biggest difference is not just what you say, but how well you listen. Working within a regulated environment, you’ll balance customer care with responsible decision-making, ensuring every customer receives fair and appropriate support.

About you: What we are looking for:

  • Outstanding listening skills with the ability to understand the full picture before reaching a solution
  • Excellent verbal communication skills and the confidence to have sensitive conversations over the telephone
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
  • Genuine empathy and a passion for helping customers through difficult situations

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.

The extras you’ll get:

  • 25 days holiday, pro rata
  • 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.

Disability Confident: We’re not just guided by data, we’re driven by the real experiences of our people. We’re a Disability Confident Level 3 Leader, the highest level. That’s why we’re constantly evolving our policies and practices to make sure everyone feels genuinely supported, valued, and empowered to champion inclusion. Whatever your needs, we’re here to support you. If you need any additional support throughout your application journey, email our team at Recruitment Support. We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application. Keeping your data and personal information confidential is important to us. To find out more about how we use and process your data, please read our Privacy policy.

Customer Support Associate in Leeds employer: Virgin Money UK

At Nationwide Building Society, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Lead Engineer in our Finance Lakehouse team, you will have access to extensive professional development opportunities, a supportive environment for coaching talent, and the chance to make a significant impact in a regulated financial services landscape. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while contributing to meaningful projects that drive data-driven decisions.

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Contact Details:

Virgin Money UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Customer Support Associate in Leeds

Get to Know the Company Culture

Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Virgin Money UK. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.

Join Customer Support Communities

Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Virgin Money UK before they even post them.

Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events

Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!

Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions

In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!

We think you need these skills to ace Customer Support Associate in Leeds

Communication Skills
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Flexibility
Teamwork
Time Management
Organizational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Virgin Money UK:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Virgin Money UK specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!

Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!

Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Virgin Money UK!

How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Money UK

Show Off Your People Skills

In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!

Know the Tools of the Trade

Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!

Show Genuine Enthusiasm

As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!

Practice Common Scenarios

Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.