At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to shape the future of banking with innovative technology and diverse projects.
- Company: Engine by Starling, a fast-growing SaaS company revolutionising banking.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in FinTech and learn the ins and outs of modern banking.
- Qualifications: 2 years in product or analytical roles; adaptable learners welcome!
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
At Engine by Starling, we are on a mission to find and work with leading banks all around the world who have the ambition to build rapid growth businesses on our technology. Engine is Starling's software-as-a-service (SaaS) business, the technology that was built to power Starling, and two years ago we split out as a separate business. Starling has seen exceptional growth and success, and a large part of that is down to the fact that we have built our own modern technology from the ground up. This SaaS technology platform is now available to banks and financial institutions all around the world, enabling them to benefit from the innovative digital features and efficient back-office processes that have helped achieve Starling's success.
We draw upon our experience as knowledgeable bankers and best in class technologists to become the chosen option for these banks and preferred partners for leading consultancies.
Hybrid Working
We have a hybrid approach to working here at Engine - our preference is that you're located within a commutable distance of one of our offices so that we're able to interact and collaborate in person.
About the role
This role isn't a standard, fixed-domain position; it is the launchpad for a career-defining journey. You will start your journey in Core Banking, learning the absolute guts of a bank, including ledgers and accounting. As you master these fundamentals and our organisation continues to scale, you will need the flexibility to pivot and support other domains, such as payments, savings, and lending, to meet business needs.
We know exactly where this journey starts, but we don't know where it ends. If you are highly adaptable, love to learn, and want to understand how a modern bank truly functions from the inside out, this role is for you.
Requirements
- Professional Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in a product, engineering, data, business analysis, or highly analytical role, ideally within a fast-paced environment.
- Eager Learner: A massive appetite for learning, listening, and growing within an organisation that is constantly expanding.
- FinTech Exposure: Prior experience or a strong baseline understanding of FinTech, or a regulated banking/lending environment.
- Technical Foundation: An engineering background, technical experience, or deep technical curiosity.
- Adaptable Core: A background or mindset that thrives on flexibility; you are excited about starting in Core Banking (ledgers and accounting) and eventually moving into payments, savings, or lending as the business evolves.
- Execution Track Record: Experience managing your own time effectively, meeting deadlines, and delivering well-scoped tasks with some guidance.
- Educational Foundation: A relevant bachelor's degree (or equivalent educational background) with a foundation in Maths or STEM subjects would be desirable.
Your skills
- Navigating Ambiguity: You are entirely comfortable working in an environment where the starting point is clear but the long-term path is undefined.
- Backlog & Ticket Management: You can write clean, detailed, and unambiguous user stories and requirements issues with explicit acceptance criteria.
- Technical Literacy: You understand the basic architectural stack of a product area (e.g., frontend vs. backend, what an API does) and enjoy getting into the technical details with engineers.
- Basic Data Analysis: You are competent with (or ready to quickly master) product analytics tools (e.g., Mixpanel, Amplitude, PostHog) to track feature usage and leverage quantitative data alongside user feedback to make small-scale trade-offs.
- Clear Communication & Stakeholder Management: You can clearly explain the "what", "how", and "why" behind the immediate feature backlog to your engineering and design triad, and you confidently flag blockers early to your manager.
- Active Listening & Coachability: You place a heavy focus on self-development; you actively seek out feedback, take structured notes, and demonstrate visible behavioural changes based on input.
- Dependability & Handling Ambiguity: You are highly dependable, deliver assigned tasks on time, and remain comfortable navigating ambiguity within a flat, fast-moving team structure.
Interview process
Interviewing is a two-way process and we want you to have the time and opportunity to get to know us, as much as we are getting to know you! Our interviews are conversational and we want to get the best from you, so come with questions and be curious. In general, you can expect the below, following a chat with one of our Talent Team:
- 45 minutes with someone from the product team.
- 1 hour with two more people from the team, including our Technical Product Director.
- 45 minutes with two members of the senior leadership team.
This role will close for applications on Tue 23rd June.
Benefits
- 33 days holiday (including public holidays, which you can take when it works best for you).
- An extra day's holiday for your birthday.
- Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off.
- 16 hours paid volunteering time a year.
- Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme.
- Life insurance at 4x your salary & group income protection.
- Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care.
- Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton.
- Generous family-friendly policies.
- Incentives 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.
You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we're always open to discussion. So, if you're excited about working with us, but aren't sure if you're 100% there yet, get in touch anyway. We're on a mission to radically reshape banking - and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we're proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.
Engine by Starling is an equal opportunity employer, and we're proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Engine by Starling 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.
Associate Product Manager - Engine by Starling employer: Starling Bank
At Engine by Starling, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of learning and adaptability. With a hybrid working model, generous benefits including 33 days of holiday, and a commitment to employee growth, we empower our team to thrive in a dynamic environment while reshaping the future of banking. Join us to embark on a career-defining journey where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Product Manager - Engine by Starling
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Starling Bank!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Starling Bank would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Starling Bank through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Product Manager - Engine by Starling
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Associate Product Manager - Engine by Starling, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Associate Product Manager - Engine by Starling position at Starling Bank. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling Bank
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.