Strategy & Business Support Development Programme - Retail

Good things this way

If you're an ambitious go-getter who enjoys solving problems and learning new skills, our 2-year Skills Development Programme provides a rewarding career in Retail Strategy & Business Support. 

 

During your programme you’ll work across our Group Retail teams, developing skills in strategy, planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement. You’ll learn how to support business operations, solve problems, and deliver improvements, while building strong networks across Nationwide. 

 

You’ll also engage in development workshops, training, and be encouraged to gain role-related qualifications. At the end of the programme, you’ll move into a permanent role, ready for a career as a Business Support Consultant or similar. 

 

Thrive within our high-performance culture as you experience hands-on learning, tailored training, and a strong support network.

 

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 of 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

During your 2-year programme, you’ll develop towards the role of a Business Support Consultant, gaining the knowledge, skills and network need to deliver simply brilliant experiences for our customers. 

 

You’ll build knowledge of strategy development and planning, influencing, verbal and written communication, the colleague agenda, and expert stakeholder engagement, including at executive levels. 

 

One of your rotations will be within a customer-facing business area, to help you build first-hand experience of our customers’ needs and the business areas you are supporting. To support your journey to become a Business Support Consultant you’ll be encouraged to study for suitable role-related qualifications.

 

You’ll also gain access to a bespoke 24-month learning journey to develop core business skills that complement role-specific development, and you’ll work alongside other high-performing colleagues from across Nationwide.

 

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 either 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 at Nationwide, 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 are comfortable working out a route through ambiguous situations
• You enjoy working with people and can influence others to get to the best solution
• 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 this programme.

 

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 Early.Careers@nationwide.co.uk