Head of Branch Network – Newcastle Building Society

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Overview

As Head of Branch Network, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our branches. This role is fundamental to how the branch strategy translates and executes to build local presence and reputation to drive growth, profitability and market share across the branch network. You will provide strategic oversight, operational leadership, and cultural inspiration to ensure our branches deliver outstanding member value, sustainable growth and efficient performance. This role sits at the heart of our strategy, combining purpose delivery with building lasting customer relationships that drive stable, well-priced retail savings that underpin our mortgage lending. You will be accountable for delivering our member value commitment, connecting communities to a better financial future. You’ll strengthen our presence on the high street, grow our reputation through outstanding customer experiences and community engagement, and attract new customers to our regional brands.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities for expansion, optimisation, or consolidation of branches.
• Develop clear strategic community and partnership plans, that are tailored to and delivered by the branch network. Our community approach will create a direct link between the Society’s purpose and high impact, local outcomes that support both the commercial performance of the business and the delivery of tangible member value.
• Set and monitor branch-level performance metrics, including funding, voice of the customer, funding retention, community impact, service quality and operational efficiency.
• Spend three days per week in branches to maintain leadership presence and ensure consistent delivery of brand standards and customer experience across all branches.

About You

We’re looking for a leader who combines vision with execution and inspiration with accountability. You’ll bring significant leadership experience in retail financial services, knowledge of mutual value and oversight of multi-site operations. You will have a proven ability to deliver commercial success while maintaining outstanding customer service within a regulated environment. A strategic mindset is a must, able to shape the future of our branches while delivering results today. You will be an outstanding communicator with the ability to influence and secure buy-in from senior stakeholders, both internally and externally, and have proven experience in successfully managing and developing B2B relationships.

About us

We are the 7th largest building society in the UK, with 32 branches on high streets stretching across the North East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. We care about where we are from and are deeply committed to making a positive difference for the people and places that make up our heartland. We’re owned by our customers (not shareholders), which means we can focus on what’s really important – delivering great value through the products we offer, providing our customers with amazing service and building a sustainable, successful business that benefits our Members, communities and region, both now and in the future.

As an inclusive employer and member owned mutual, we aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are, we want colleagues to feel this is a place they belong. A place to be you.

What you get in return

• Corporate bonus scheme (on target 15%, up to a maximum 22.5%)
• Pension scheme (up to 9% employer contribution)
• Annual performance related pay reviews
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
• Life assurance (4x salary) and income protection
• Access to our financial advisers
• Access to a range of high street and online discount

Work/Life Balance

• A 35-hour weekly contract - we are happy to talk flexible working and welcome discussions
• 30 days’ annual leave + bank holidays
• The option to buy and sell up to 5 days’ holiday
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days’ home based)
• Above statutory family leave entitlement - 3 months full pay, 3 months half pay

Health and Wellbeing

• Private medical insurance
• Access to a health cash plan through a Medicash scheme
• Access to an employee assistance programme
• Free onsite gym at our Cobalt head office and access to discounted gym’s
• Two paid volunteering days’ each year
• Cycle to work scheme

We strive to make our recruitment process accessible to all; if there are adjustments or support you need, please contact your Recruiter for this vacancy at charlie.mcelhinney@newcastle.co.uk