Risk & Governance Development Programme - Retail

Nationwide; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK mutual bank is seeking ambitious candidates for their Skills Development Programme in Swindon. This two-year program offers rotational experience within Group Retail, focusing on risk management and governance skills. Participants will have the opportunity to develop industry qualifications while contributing to process improvement. Hybrid working environment available, with a permanent contract upon completion.

Benefits

25 days holiday per year (increasing to 30)

Private medical insurance from January 2026

Competitive pension plan

Annual performance-related bonus

Access to training and development

Salary sacrifice benefits

Life assurance

Health and wellness options

Paid volunteering days

Qualifications

• Ambitious, purpose-driven candidates looking for a career in banking.
• High performing culture expectations.
• No specific degrees required, open to graduates and career changers.

Responsibilities

• Rotate across Group Retail teams developing risk management skills.
• Contribute to improving risk processes.
• Build expertise in governance and controls testing.

Skills

Numerical communication skills

Written communication skills

Verbal communication skills

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Innovative mindset

Commercial awareness

Job description

Job description

Good things this way

If you're an ambitious go-getter who enjoys solving problems and learning new skills, our Skills Development Programme provides a clear and rewarding pathway into Retail Risk and Governance.

Over two years, you'll rotate across Group Retail teams, developing skills in risk management, governance, and control testing. You'll contribute to improving processes and ensuring Nationwide's risks remain within appetite, while building the knowledge and experience to prepare for a future role in risk or governance. We'll also support you to pursue role‑related qualifications.

Your journey will focus on understanding risk management frameworks, policy and governance standards, and how to design, maintain, and test controls to meet the needs of both internal and regulatory stakeholders.

You'll build skills from development and training as you strive for high-performance, while building strong relationships to help us make banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society.

Where you'll be working

Our Retail function is made up of departments that cover products, operations and services; together more than 9,000 colleagues design, develop and deliver compelling banking and savings products to our customers, supported by an excellent range services and through multiple channels.

We're looking for high-performing, purpose-driven focused on meeting our customers' needs and helping our channels deliver excellence every day.

What you'll be doing

Over two years, you'll rotate across Group Retail teams, developing skills in risk management, governance, and controls testing. You'll contribute to improving processes and ensuring Nationwide's risks remain within appetite, while building the knowledge and experience to prepare for a future role as a business support, risk, governance, or controls consultant.

With a permanent contract at the end of the programme, you'll be well‑placed to launch a rewarding career at Nationwide. Your journey will focus on building expertise in risk management, policy and governance standards, and controls development and testing. You'll also strengthen your communication and stakeholder engagement skills, while gaining experience across teams and initiatives to broaden your skillset.

Alongside your role, you'll have the option to pursue role‑related qualifications. You'll also begin a bespoke 24‑month learning journey, developing core business skills that complement your role‑specific development.

Location

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, based at our Swindon or Northampton office.

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.

About you

We're looking for ambitious, purpose driven candidates who want to build a rewarding career in banking. You'll have a determination to push for better, and a focus on delivering for our 16 million members.

Whether you're a recent graduate, returning to work, or changing careers, we're interested in your potential.

You’ll thrive in our high-performing culture, if:

• You have a high standard of numerical, written, and verbal communication skills
• You can analyse data and enjoy problem‑solving to identify challenges and propose solutions
• You enjoy helping people navigate a safe path through ambiguous situations
• You push for high performance - from yourself and those around you
• Development is something you expect and embrace
• You are innovative and have a growth mindset
• Through research or experience, you have commercial awareness of Nationwide and the financial services industry

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

The extras you'll get

High performing and purpose-driven colleagues deserve a rewarding career and competitive benefits to match.

We offer you:

• 25 days holiday per year, which increases over time to 30. Plus, you can 'buy' up to 10 extra days each year, giving you even more choice
• From January 2026, all colleagues will benefit from private medical insurance
• A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
• Access to an annual performance related bonus
• Access to training to help you develop and 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 for 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, where you'll be asked to answer a few quick questions for us.

We'll send you our online assessments to complete and there will also be a short video interview to find out more about you. If you are successful, you could be selected to attend one of our in person assessment centres which run from January 2026.

Visa sponsorship information

As a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the applicable Immigration Rules and guidance (which are subject to change). The Skilled Worker route has specific requirements relating to skill level of the role and minimum salary expectations. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited or may not be possible for some programmes. VISA Sponsorship cannot be offered on these programmes.

All successful applicants with need to demonstrate their right to work in the UK on commencement of employment and for the duration of the programme applied for without requiring sponsorship.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at [e-mail]

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