Senior Fraud Strategy Analyst - Control Optimisation

It’s an exciting time to join our growing Economic Crime (PROTECT) team as a Senior Fraud Strategy Analyst. As part of our first line of defence function, you’ll play a key role in protecting both our customers and the business from fraud and financial crime. We’re looking for a naturally curious and analytical professional who thrives on solving complex problems, using data to uncover insights, and developing effective fraud prevention strategies that make a real impact.

In this role, you’ll use your expertise in fraud analytics, SAS and SQL to design, build and optimise fraud controls across a range of fraud typologies, including card, non-card, application and mule fraud. You’ll be responsible for translating data and analytical findings into clear, effective fraud strategies, creating long-term solutions that help prevent fraud at source while balancing risk management with customer experience. Your understanding of financial services, combined with strong coding, investigation and strategy development skills, will enable you to identify opportunities, write and implement fraud rules, and deliver meaningful improvements.

Working closely with colleagues across Fraud Analytics, Operations, Cyber Security, Technology and Commercial teams, you’ll influence key decisions and help drive change across the organisation. If you have experience developing data-driven fraud controls, can communicate complex technical concepts in a simple and engaging way, and are passionate about using analytics to combat fraud, this is an excellent opportunity to shape the future of fraud prevention within a collaborative and forward-thinking team.

This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract opportunity. 

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. 

Virgin Money is now part of Nationwide

Nationwide acquired Virgin Money in October 2024. Virgin Money continues to serve customers on the high street, and there will be a phased and considered integration over the coming years.

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.

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

Join a team that plays a vital role in protecting customers and the business from fraud by developing smart, data-led solutions that make a real difference. You’ll use insights from a wide range of data sources to design, optimise and monitor fraud controls across multiple fraud typologies, helping to reduce risk while improving the customer experience. With a strong focus on innovation, you’ll identify opportunities to enhance existing controls, respond to emerging threats and support the development of effective strategies that prevent fraud before it occurs.

Working closely with colleagues across Fraud Strategy, Internal Fraud, Operations and wider business teams, you’ll develop automated monitoring and controls, investigate emerging trends, and provide valuable oversight of control performance across the organisation. You’ll also play an important role in supporting fraud incidents, identifying vulnerabilities within the control framework, and contributing to transformation initiatives that drive continuous improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys combining analytics, technology and problem-solving to influence meaningful change. You’ll have the chance to shape future fraud prevention capabilities, stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and industry developments, and provide insight that helps strengthen the organisation’s approach to fraud risk management and innovation.

About you

To be successful in this role, you'll bring a strong background in fraud strategy, analytics and control optimisation, with the ability to translate complex data into effective fraud prevention solutions. You’ll be comfortable working across a range of stakeholders, using data-driven insights to influence decisions and drive meaningful change.

As a minimum, you will have:

• Proven experience developing and implementing fraud prevention strategies across multiple fraud typologies, including application fraud, card fraud, mule activity and broader financial crime risks

• Demonstrable experience creating and enhancing automated fraud controls using multiple data sources, including developing data-driven solutions to detect and prevent internal fraud

• Strong analytical skills with hands-on experience using SAS and/or SQL to interrogate data, identify trends and build fraud detection strategies

• Experience within a fraud, financial crime or risk environment in banking, insurance or wider financial services

• A track record of influencing stakeholders and successfully driving change across cross-functional teams, including Operations, Technology, Analytics and Risk functions

• Strong knowledge of fraud risks, emerging threats and industry trends, with the ability to assess potential impacts and recommend effective mitigating actions

• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets, generate actionable insights and deliver practical, long-term fraud prevention outcomes

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

• 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.

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.

If you want to find out more about using AI in our recruitment process, please read more here.

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.  

Apply safely with Nationwide 

Recruitment scams can look convincing, so take a moment to check the role is listed on our official careers site and read our guidance on Don’t be conned by a job scam. 

Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Senior Fraud Strategy Analyst.