We are seeking a curious, analytical, and strategic thinker to join our team as a Research & Insights Manager. This role is pivotal in shaping business decisions through the design and delivery of high-impact research. This role is part of our Marketing Effectiveness, Analytics, and Brand Performance team. The team is responsible for assessing the performance of our brand and communications. We provide strategic direction to the business on improving and optimising communication plans to enhance brand growth. Additionally, we handle executive reporting, delivering regular performance updates to the Executive Committee and the Board to inform the strategic direction and planning of our brand and marketing strategies.
This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract.
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 or Swindon office. Whilst these locations are where we are primarily looking to fill the role, if you’re an internal applicant based in a different location, we would welcome your application, and if successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this could work for this specific role. 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.
ResponsibilitiesWhat you’ll be doing
As our Research & Insights Manager, you will lead end-to-end research activity linked to the integration of Virgin Money, using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover meaningful, actionable insight. Working across evolving brand and communication plans, you will shape research briefs, manage delivery, and ensure outputs are timely, relevant, and clearly aligned to business needs.
You will translate complex data into executive ready stories, producing clear and visually engaging reports that support strategic decision-making and resonate with senior stakeholders. This will involve bringing together insight from multiple sources, including consumer behaviour, competitor activity, and the wider media landscape, to create a rounded and forward-looking view. You will work closely with internal teams and external research partners to maintain high standards throughout the research process, with a strong focus on accuracy, clarity, and attention to detail. Through confident storytelling and thoughtful communication, you will make insight accessible and impactful across the organisation, helping teams understand not just what the data shows, but why it matters.
About you
For this role, you will have:
Advanced storytelling and reporting skills – able to distil complex data into clear, compelling narratives that drive strategic decisions
Strong visualisation capabilities – skilled in translating insights into executive-ready formats using tools like PowerPoint, Excel, Tableau, or Power BI
Proven experience in research and insights, ideally within a corporate or agency setting, with a track record of influencing brand and media strategy
Expertise in qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with the ability to select and apply the right approach to answer business questions
Exceptional attention to detail and data accuracy, ensuring insights are both credible and impactful
Clear and confident communication, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams
Effective project management, balancing multiple priorities and timelines with precision
Experience working with third party research agencies
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.
QualificationsThe 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.
Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Marketing & Corporate Affairs Manager.
