Head of Group Governance, Risk & Control (GRC) Services

We are looking for a proactive, high-performing and experienced Head of Group Governance, Risk & Controls (GRC) Services to lead a centralised capability providing governance, risk, control and compliance services across the Society in line with the Group Risk Management Framework (GRMF).

Accountable for shaping and delivering GRC services that are most effective through a centralised operating model, you'll support ExCo, Risk Directors and Senior Management Function holders in discharging their risk management responsibilities. You'll drive high standards of service delivery, simplification, continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring the capability remains efficient, effective and responsive to business needs.

The team delivers four core services: Risk & Control Reporting, Risk & Control Delivery (including Material Controls, Risk Appetite and Scenario Analysis), Conduct & Compliance, and Risk & Controls Modernisation. Working across these areas, you'll build trusted relationships, influence senior stakeholders and collaborate closely with Risk Directors, Senior Management Function holders and functional leadership teams to deliver shared priorities and strong risk management outcomes.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and experienced leader to shape the future of GRC services at Nationwide, helping the organisation operate in a safe, secure and controlled manner while delivering good outcomes for customers.

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 our Swindon, London 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.

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.

What you’ll be doing

This role involves leading and developing the Group Governance, Risk and Control (GRC) Services team, providing clear direction, inclusive leadership and effective operational management across workforce planning, budgeting, communications, prioritisation and service performance.

You will work closely with Risk Directors to agree, maintain and deliver governance, risk, control and compliance services, ensuring priorities, deliverables, quality standards and timelines support the Group Risk Management Framework (GRMF).

A key responsibility will be the design and delivery of accurate, timely and insightful risk, control, conduct and compliance reporting and management information for functions, the Executive Risk Committee and Board Risk reporting. This will enable effective oversight, support regulatory expectations and BCBS 239 requirements, and facilitate informed decision-making.

The role also focuses on identifying opportunities to deliver governance, risk, control and compliance activities more effectively through a centralised service model, ensuring resources are directed towards areas of greatest risk, value and organisational impact. You will lead the simplification, modernisation, automation and continuous improvement of these services, leveraging data, insight, technology and artificial intelligence to enhance quality, efficiency, speed and measurable outcomes for customers and the Society.

Building trusted relationships across the organisation is essential. You'll influence senior stakeholders and work collaboratively with Risk Directors, Senior Management Function holders and functional leadership teams to achieve shared objectives and deliver strong outcomes.

Using data, market insight, external perspectives and commercial judgement, you'll make balanced decisions, navigate complexity and prioritise competing service, risk and change agendas. You'll also champion an inclusive, diverse and accountable culture where colleagues feel engaged, supported and empowered to deliver positive customer outcomes in line with Consumer Duty expectations.

About you

Minimum skills and experience:

• Relevant professional experience and a degree-level qualification (or equivalent), with significant expertise in governance, risk, control, compliance, audit or oversight within a complex financial services environment
• Strong leadership capability, with a proven track record of building inclusive, high-performing teams, developing colleagues and leading through change
• Highly credible and influential communicator, with excellent relationship management skills and the ability to engage, challenge and influence senior stakeholders up to Board level
• Deep understanding of financial services, risk management, regulatory compliance and effective governance practices, underpinned by strong commercial and organisational awareness
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to anticipate issues, identify practical solutions, improve processes and provide clear, balanced guidance
• Experience leveraging data, insight, automation and technology to enhance service delivery, reporting quality, operational efficiency and control effectiveness
• Proven ability to demonstrate integrity, accountability, decisiveness and sound judgement in complex and high-profile 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

There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:

• 30 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.

The hiring manager for this role is Chris Hancock, and the main recruitment contact is Sameena Rehman.

Interviews for this position are expected to be on 11th, 14th, 16th and 17th November, with a second interview on either the 23rd or 24th November. We will let you know the outcome of your application shortly after the closing date. If you are shortlisted, we will share further details with you about the interview process.

Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Practice Office Lead.