Head of Products – Product Strategy & Operations

Head of Products is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping a brand new Product Strategy & Operations function within Retail Products. Working alongside the Director of Product Strategy & Operations and the Retail Product Senior Leadership Team, you’ll help define cross-product strategies and propositions, unlock opportunities to improve how products are delivered, and provide thought leadership that drives outstanding customer and commercial outcomes. Sitting at the heart of the Retail Products team, this role offers significant visibility and the chance to influence the future direction of our retail banking propositions in partnership with the Group Director of Retail Products.

We're looking for an experienced product leader with a strong track record of product management, Profit and Loss (P&L) ownership, and successfully establishing new functions or leading within high growth, start-up environments. You'll bring the ability to turn complex ideas into clear, compelling strategies, combining strong analytical thinking with a practical, delivery focused approach. Equally important is your ability to build trusted relationships across senior stakeholders, influence at all levels, and bring people together behind a shared vision.

As the function takes shape, you’ll lead the delivery of innovative proof-of-concept initiatives that demonstrate the value of a cross-product approach, helping to create a more effective, customer focused organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and ambitious leader who thrives on building something new, driving meaningful change, and leaving a lasting impact on both customers and the business.

We are happy to consider flexible working approaches to help you perform at your best.
 

The working hours (per week) for this role can be between 28 and 35 hours.

This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract opportunity. 

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 be located at our nearest regional office or hub. There will be a need to regularly connect with colleagues for collaboration and in some locations you’ll be expected to spend at least two days a week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, in the office. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. 

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

This is a unique opportunity to help shape and establish a brand new function, driving initiatives that support the strategic ambitions of Retail Products while delivering the value and outcomes expected from investment in cross-product capabilities. You’ll play a key role in defining priorities, creating direction in an evolving environment, and turning complex challenges into clear, actionable plans that deliver meaningful results for both customers and the business.

Working closely with senior leaders across Nationwide, you’ll build understanding, engagement and advocacy for the new function, influencing stakeholders at all levels and bringing people together behind a shared vision. You’ll lead the delivery of high impact proof-of-concept initiatives, helping to demonstrate the commercial and customer benefits of a cross-product approach while ensuring focus remains on the areas that will create the greatest value.

Alongside driving delivery, you’ll have the opportunity to build and develop a high-performing, engaged team, creating the foundations for a function that will play a critical role in the future success of Retail Products. This is an exciting role for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys bringing clarity to ambiguity, and is motivated by the challenge of building something new from the ground up.

About you

We're looking for an experienced leader who thrives in ambiguity, has a proven track record of building and scaling teams or functions, and can confidently influence at the most senior levels of an organisation. You'll be commercially minded, highly organised, and comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery in a fast-paced environment.

As a minimum, you'll need to demonstrate:

• Significant product management leadership experience, including accountability for product performance and P&L outcomes

• Experience establishing a new function, business area, or capability, or holding a senior leadership role within a start-up or high-growth environment

• A track record of developing and delivering business, product, or operational strategies that have driven measurable customer and commercial outcomes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using data and insight to shape strategic priorities and investment decisions

• Experience building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making across large, complex organisations

• Proven experience working closely with Executive Committee (ExCo) or equivalent senior leaders, providing insight, challenge, and strategic recommendations

• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to lead multiple complex priorities and deliver high-impact outcomes in a changing environment

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. 

Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Head of Product.