Business Unit:  Chief Operating Office (COO)
Salary Range: £34,000 per annum DOE + benefits 
Location: Glasgow or Newcastle (Gosforth) Hybrid – you`ll be expected to work some days in the office as we recognise the importance of in person connections and how they shape your learning experience. We’re flexible though and will discuss with you during the hiring and onboarding process your likely work pattern.
Contract Type: Permanent / Full time (35 hours per week)
Start date: Our Technology Development Programme will have two intakes: June and September 2026. You’ll be asked to select your preferred specialism and intake date during the application process.

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.

Interested in a career in IT? If you're a curious, logical thinker who loves to learn, our 18-month Technology Development Programme (TDP) offers the training and experience to help you build a successful future in tech.

Our Teams

We are currently recruiting for specialist roles in Infrastructure Engineering, Software Engineering and Cyber Specialist. You’ll be asked to indicate your preferences when applying. As part of TDP, you’ll develop technical and business skills, applying them to real-world scenarios, contributing to the development and improvement of processes, products and services across your function.

Through a blend of development workshops, business simulations and training, you’ll gain accreditations and hands on experience designed to help you achieve your best. Our Chief Operating Office (COO) function is more than IT – it’s the engine driving Virgin Money and Nationwide’s transformation into a modern mutual.

COO is responsible for:

• Driving digital innovation through our strategy and the introduction of new technologies and frameworks that drive better customer experiences.
• Building resilient infrastructure through supporting critical business services and empowering internal technology teams to deliver with confidence.
• Creating scalable IT capabilities that ensure seamless journeys for both customers and colleagues.
• Delivering our data strategy that enables smarter decision-making across the business.
• Safeguarding our bank and customers through strong security, governance, and control frameworks.

What you’ll be doing

From day one, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to impactful projects, and grow your skills through hands-on experience and structured training. You’ll begin with an induction and our TDP Academy, receiving upfront training in core IT and business skills, with a focus on the technical capabilities needed to succeed. Once embedded in your team, you’ll follow a personalised learning pathway to support your ongoing development.

Whichever path you choose – you’ll gain a strong foundation in technology and join a collaborative team that support our organisation’s tech and data platforms. Our opportunities include:

• Software Engineers design and build tools that empower our business and collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality solutions for our colleagues. Working across agile and waterfall environments, our engineers are involved throughout the software development lifecycle, with a strong focus on coding and delivery
• Infrastructure Engineers   ensure our core systems and networks run reliably and securely—the backbone of digital operations. Our engineers deliver new IT infrastructure, from software environment services to ongoing maintenance and support.  They also ensure robust platforms, systems, and tools for colleagues to perform at their best. 
• Cyber Security Specialists keep our systems, services, customers and colleagues safe and secure contributing to service availability and maintaining our trusted reputation to customers.

You’ll also benefit from a bespoke 18-month learning journey designed to build core business skills alongside role-specific training, while connecting with a diverse network of like-minded colleagues.

We need you to have

We’re looking for people who want to build a career in Technology and have the passion and determination to grow and learn. We care more about your mindset, your curiosity, adaptability, and logical thinking, than your background. Whether you're a recent graduate, returning to work, or changing careers, our TDP paves the way for a rewarding future.

Due to the technical nature of this programme, we’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• A solid understanding of at least one modern programming language or framework, along with a genuine passion for technology and a strong desire to learn.
• Enthusiasm for problem-solving and readiness to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• A growth mindset and clear ambition to develop professionally.
• A methodical, rigorous approach to work with excellent attention to detail and awareness sight of the bigger picture.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment or work independently with confidence.
• Resilience and tenacity with the ability to learn from both successes and setbacks.
• A positive attitude and the motivation to make a difference to customers and communities.
• The ability to build effective working relationships and engage confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

The extras you’ll get

• 25 days holiday per year, which increases over time to 30. Plus, an option to buy more, giving you even more choice.
• 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 flexible benefits scheme.
• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death.
• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year.

Say hello to Virgin Money 

Virgin Money is so much more than just a bank. As part of the Nationwide group, together we're the UK's first full-service mutual bank serving millions of retail and business customers and all driven by our purpose; Banking but fairer, more rewarding and for the good of society. With us, you’ll be part of an organisation uniquely positioned to make a difference to the lives of customers, communities and broader society and embark on a collaborative, customer obsessed, and fun-filled career.

Be yourself at Virgin Money 

At Virgin Money, we celebrate everyone. We have fun, think big, and relentlessly include each other, all in pursuit of our purpose: Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society.  We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where colleagues feel safe and inspired to contribute, speak up and be heard.    

As a Disability Confident Leader, we're committed to removing any obstacles to inclusion. If you need any reasonable adjustments or support making your application, contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@virginmoney.com.

Please note: If we receive a high volume of eligible applications, we may need to prioritise candidates whose skills and experience most closely align with the role, while still ensuring fair and equitable consideration for all applicants.

Now the legal bit

Although some of our roles allow you to be based anywhere in the UK, we'll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK. 

If you're successful in securing a role with us, there are some checks you need to complete before starting. These include credit and criminal record checks and three years' worth of satisfactory references.