Operational Risk Oversight Manager – Technology, Cyber and Data

We are seeking an Operational Risk Oversight Manager – Technology, Cyber, and Data to join our Second Line of Defence. The team provides oversight of these critical risk areas to ensure our digital services are resilient, our defences are robust, and our members’ data remains secure. Your work will directly support the delivery of safe, secure, and resilient operations for Nationwide and its members.

As part of our independent Second Line Operational Risk Oversight team, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the Society’s systems, information, and processes. The team’s mission is to ensure that non-financial risks are effectively managed, enabling Nationwide to serve its members safely and efficiently.

In this role, you will focus on Technology, Cyber, and Data risk oversight. You will work closely with first-line technology teams, cybersecurity specialists, and data governance leads. By assessing and constructively challenging how risks are identified and managed, you will provide valuable insight and assurance that our operations remain resilient and compliant within a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

You will collaborate with colleagues across the Chief Operating Office (COO) function and beyond, ensuring that key controls for IT resilience, cyber security, and data management are effective, robust, and future-proof. You will help identify potential technology- and data-related risks early, influence improvements, and ensure that robust mitigation plans are in place to address major threats.

Your insights will shape the Society’s view of its risk landscape, informing decision-making that upholds our responsibilities to members and regulators while enabling safe and responsible technological innovation.

We are happy to consider flexible working approaches to help you perform at your best.

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, Swindon or Glasgow office. If you’re based at our Glasgow office, this will apply from 1 April 2027 and ahead of that there will be a need to regularly connect with colleagues for collaboration events. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here. 

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.

What you’ll be doing

You will provide independent operational risk oversight of Nationwide’s technology, cyber security, and data governance activities, ensuring that our digital services remain resilient and our members’ data is protected.

On a day-to-day basis, you will work closely with first-line teams to evaluate risk assessments, test critical controls, and provide expert guidance to ensure risks are effectively identified and mitigated. You will also contribute to the ongoing development of Nationwide’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework, supporting the evolution of policies, controls, and risk appetite, and assessing both compliance and operational effectiveness.

Using a range of oversight techniques—from in-depth reviews of critical systems, processes, and controls to continuous monitoring of emerging threats—you will deliver valuable insights and assurance to senior management.

Through these efforts, you will directly support the Director of Operational Risk by strengthening Nationwide’s resilience and helping to safeguard our members and operations in an increasingly digital environment.

About you

You will have:

• Proven experience in technology risk, cyber security, or data governance, with a strong technical foundation in at least one of these areas and the ability to develop expertise across all three 
• Demonstrated track record in risk management or assurance within a complex, regulated environment (ideally financial services), with experience in a Risk, Second Line, Audit, or Consulting role 
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to credibly challenge and influence senior colleagues across Technology, Cyber, and Data, and build effective relationships with both technical and business teams 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience in conducting risk assessments, control testing, or assurance reviews to identify improvements and ensure risks are effectively managed 
• High levels of resilience and adaptability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities across different risk areas, and a proactive approach to supporting team objectives and delivering high-quality oversight work on time

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

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

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.

What to do next

If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us. 

We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.