Risk & Control Manager - Core & Complex 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.

Hybrid working: All Starling colleagues spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office with flexibility to work the rest from home.

Location: Cardiff, Manchester & Southampton

Reporting to: Head of Risk & Control – Core and Complex Servicing

Closing date: Wednesday 28th January at 10am.

The Opportunity

This is a role within the First Line of Defence (1LoD) Chief Controls Office (CCO), responsible for building, managing and developing an effective risk framework within specified areas to facilitate the delivery of the risk management framework, drive good customer outcomes, regulatory compliance and discharge risk accountabilities.

Undertake business partnering role for the first line risk into relevant areas providing pivotal risk support to the relevant Director and demonstrating integrity at all times.

Key Accountabilities Include:

• Risk & Control Advisory

• Providing specialist risk and control expertise to strengthen first line ownership.
• Partner with Risk and Control Owners to provide challenge and input on key decisions, ensuring clear accountability and effective risk management.
• Drive ownership of risks and controls across Financial Assistance and Business Banking Operations, enabling teams to articulate and manage their risk profile confidently.

• Contribute to developing a strong risk culture within Core and Complex Servicing, including supporting relevant training.
• Engage with 2LOD, 3LOD, and other stakeholders to ensure policies are embedded and adhered to.
• Validate action closure rationale and evidence from the 1LoD working with the 3 lines of defence on timely closure of actions.
• Work with Business Heads and Risk Champions to identify emerging risks and ensure they are escalated and addressed.

• Ensure risks and controls are clearly defined, documented, and maintained.
• Lead periodic independent testing of control effectiveness within the first line.
• Identify and track remediation of control deficiencies.
• Manage operational events, including root cause analysis, lessons learned, and read-across.
• Own departmental RCSA and control framework, ensuring risks are tested, mitigated, and aligned with appetite.
• Lead small-scale improvement initiatives and contribute to wider change programmes that strengthen risk management practices.

Regulatory Experience:

• Strong understanding of non-financial risk management frameworks.
• Knowledge of Conduct Risk and Consumer Duty.
• Understanding of CONC, BCOBS.
• Experience of first line control testing within Collections / Banking operations.

Behaviours & Competencies:

• Strong ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships across business and risk functions.
• Inquisitive and analytical mindset to assess risks, controls, and processes, identifying gaps and recommending improvements.
• Proactive, with a “can do” attitude; able to take ownership and see initiatives through.
• Comfortable challenging the status quo to drive best-in-class practices in financial services operations.
• Capable of independently leading small initiatives and delivering results with minimal supervision.

Skills:

• 3–5 years of risk and control experience within collections/financial assistance, SME lending, and banking operations.
• Exposure to working within First Line risk management or as a risk champion.
• Proven ability to lead small initiatives, projects, or workstreams that enhance control environments.
• Prior experience in banking and/or lending operations is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word).

Driving effective governance and management of non-financial risks within these functions by:

• Providing specialist risk and control expertise to strengthen first line ownership.
• Supporting teams to identify, assess, and manage their risk profile.
• Leading small risk and control initiatives and projects to improve frameworks, processes, and oversight.
• Partnering with Risk and Control Owners to embed a culture of strong risk management, oversight, and reporting.

Why Join Starling?

• 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.

Our Commitment to Equality

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.

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