Programme Manager

Help shape the future of banking and payments

We’re looking for an exceptional Programme Manager to lead complex, business-critical transformation across our Payments and Core Banking technology estate.

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of some of our most strategically important technology change, spanning payment platforms, core banking, large-scale migrations, infrastructure modernisation and operational resilience. Our Payments technology teams are responsible for the platforms underpinning Cards, ATMs and Electronic Payments, while Core Banking manages technology supporting Banking, Savings including the SAP banking estate. You'll lead programmes where technology, customer outcomes, operational resilience and regulatory expectations intersect, bringing clarity and momentum to complex delivery landscapes.

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 London office. 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.

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

We’re looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead large-scale, complex Payments and Core Banking programmes from strategy and mobilisation through to execution and implementation. You’ll take end-to-end accountability for programme outcomes, including scope, milestones, investment, benefits, risk and overall delivery confidence, while leading multidisciplinary teams across engineering, architecture, product, operations, testing, security, business change and strategic partners.

A key part of the role will be translating complex technology delivery into a clear and credible executive narrative, enabling senior leaders to make informed decisions quickly. You’ll establish strong, proportionate governance that enables rather than slows delivery, proactively managing critical dependencies, risks, delivery trade-offs and critical paths.

You’ll build trusted relationships across CIO teams, business stakeholders, suppliers and senior executives, creating the conditions for teams to perform at their best while constructively challenging and intervening when delivery requires support. Comfortable operating in ambiguity, you’ll turn strategic objectives into clear, executable plans and maintain momentum through complex change. Above all, you’ll ensure programmes are delivered to the standards expected of critical banking and payments services, with a strong focus on operational resilience, security, controls, customer outcomes and safe, sustainable implementation.

About you

You’ll be a highly experienced programme leader with a strong track record of delivering significant technology transformation in a complex organisation.

You'll bring

Strong experience of banking technology within payments or core banking.

Proven leadership and E2E completion of large-scale technology transformations, migrations or platform modernisation in other financial institutions

Knowledge of payment processing, banking platforms, account/ledger technology & SAP banking.

Experience managing programmes with significant operational resilience, regulatory and risk considerations.

Strong commercial and supplier-management capability.

Experience leading delivery across multiple teams, technologies and organisational boundaries.

Confidence operating with C Suite, Director and executive-level stakeholders.

The ability to simplify complexity and communicate clearly when programmes are under pressure.

Evidence of improving delivery predictability, not simply administering plans.

A strong understanding of modern engineering and delivery approaches alongside disciplined programme management.

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.

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