Strategic Mid-Term Planning & Forecasting Lead in Cardiff

About Starling

At Starling, we are on a mission to provide people with a fairer, smarter, and more human alternative to traditional banks. We are building a leading digital bank, driven by fast technology, fair service, and honest values. Our vision is to create a banking industry that serves everyone, which we accomplish by developing best‑in‑class proprietary technology, offering an exceptional customer experience, and establishing a strong, sustainable business. Our five core values – Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim for Greatness – are at the heart of everything we do, guiding our strategy and shaping our culture. We are a branchless, largely paperless bank, committed to responsible banking, sustainability, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

The Opportunity

The Mid Term Planning and Forecasting Manager will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing resource plans and forecasts across Operations, focused on a mid‑term view (0‑90 days). This role will ensure that the organisation has the optimum number of people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time, to meet our mid‑term demand profile. The manager will leverage data analytics and statistical modelling to provide actionable insights to senior leadership, supporting strategic decision‑making and operational efficiency.

Location: Cardiff
Reporting to: Head of Resource Planning
Closing date: 12pm, Thursday 9th October
Hybrid working: All Starling colleagues spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office with flexibility to work the rest from home.

Key Accountabilities or Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Planning & Forecasting Analysts, driving a culture of continuous improvement and personal development.
• Develop and implement mid term resource plans that take account of newly identified change and marketing initiatives.
• Continuously monitor operational demand for seasonality, contact rates versus commercial drivers, handling times and shrinkage patterns, to ensure plans are kept up to date and relevant for decision making.
• Provide data‑led recommendations on supply movements, and monitor effectiveness of changes on capacity versus demand profiles.
• Own and monitor intra‑month, and intra‑day demand profiles to ensure capacity can be aligned effectively enabling consistent service delivery.
• Work closely with the long term planning and forecasting manager and scheduling manager to ensure plans are effectively handed off for execution and key metrics are aligned.

Behaviours & Competencies

• Accountable leader with strong customer and colleague focus.
• Ability to adapt to, and lead teams through, regular change, driving consistency across Operations.
• Ability to balance workload and prioritise effectively.
• Ability to build strong relationships with Change, Marketing & Operational teams.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent understanding of demand planning methodologies and demand drivers.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex data in a digestible format.
• Strong judgment skills with the ability to provide timely recommendations.

Benefits

• Make an Impact: Work on projects that directly shape the future of banking and improve the financial lives of our customers. Starling is technology‑led, and you'll have the freedom to accomplish your goals in innovative ways.
• Culture of Excellence: Be part of a collaborative, empowered, and forward‑thinking team. We encourage experimentation, ownership, and a relentless focus on "doing the right thing."
• Growth and Development: We are committed to your professional growth, offering opportunities to learn new technologies, take on new challenges, and own interesting things from day one.
• A Bank That Cares: We're a Living Wage employer, committed to flexible working, and dedicated to creating a fair, open, and safe working environment with compassion and inclusion at its core.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Company‑enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme (7% employer contribution)
• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality including mental health support and cancer care.
• Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton.
• 25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you)
• An extra day's holiday for your birthday
• Life Insurance at 4x your salary.
• 16 hours of paid volunteering time a year.
• Ability to buy or sell annual leave.
• Generous family‑friendly policies.
• Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off.
• Incentivised refer a friend scheme.
• Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks.
• Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work, Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships and Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Starling Bank are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.