At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative reward strategies to attract and retain top talent.
- Company: Join Starling Bank, a pioneering digital bank transforming the finance industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to solving real customer problems.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in reshaping banking while driving employee engagement and recognition.
- Qualifications: Experience in designing reward strategies, ideally in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Hello, we’re Starling. Banking was broken – so we decided to fix it. The vision? Fast technology, fair service and honest values. All at the tap of a phone, all the time. We built Britain’s first digital bank. One hard-won banking licence later, we set about giving people a new way to spend, save and manage their money (and take better care of the planet, too). We’re changing banking for good.
Since then, we’ve grown. A lot. Over four million accounts (and four account types!). A team of thousands. Headquartered in London with offices in Cardiff, Dublin, Manchester and Southampton. Seven years voted Which? Recommended Provider and Britain's Best Banking Brand. Still zero branches. Our culture is open, inclusive and focused on solving real customer problems, with an emphasis on doing the right thing, even when it’s not always the easy thing.
As Starling accelerates its growth both in the UK and internationally, we are seeking a strategic Director of Reward to lead our Compensation, Benefits, and Recognition agenda. This pivotal role will ensure our reward strategies attract, retain, and motivate the right talent while maintaining full regulatory compliance. You will partner with senior leaders across the business to design and implement a cohesive total reward framework that supports our ambitious growth plans, reinforces our culture, and drives high performance.
This role is critical in positioning the Group as an employer of choice globally - delivering innovative and scalable solutions across pay, benefits, and recognition that meet the needs of our diverse workforce.
What you’ll be doing
- Define and execute reward strategy: Lead the design and implementation of the Group’s total reward framework, aligned with business strategy and growth ambitions.
- Ensure regulatory compliance: Own governance of all reward programmes, ensuring compliance with UK regulations (FCA/PRA) and readiness for international expansion.
- Drive employee engagement: Develop innovative recognition and incentive initiatives that reinforce company values, celebrate performance, and motivate teams.
- Enable international scalability: Prepare reward programmes to be adaptable across geographies, balancing global consistency with local market requirements.
- Measure and evaluate impact: Track and report on the effectiveness of reward programmes, including engagement, participation, retention, and performance outcomes, using data-driven insights to continuously improve offerings.
- Provide insight and data-driven recommendations: Use analytics, benchmarking, and market trends to inform reward decisions and continuously improve programmes.
Requirements
- Proven experience designing and delivering total reward strategies, ideally in a regulated organisation in financial services.
- Demonstrable knowledge of UK reward legislation and regulatory frameworks, with exposure to international markets a plus.
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of how reward drives business performance.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance competitive reward with cost and regulatory compliance.
- Excellent analytical and modelling skills to evaluate financial impacts of reward decisions.
- Exceptional communication skills, able to clearly articulate reward philosophy and programmes to business leaders and employees.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and implement initiatives at scale.
Success metrics:
- Reward strategy alignment: Reward programmes clearly aligned with business strategy, growth targets, and culture.
- Regulatory compliance: Full compliance with FCA/PRA and other relevant jurisdiction requirements.
- Talent attraction & retention: High-quality hires and low attrition in critical and high-performing roles.
- Employee engagement & recognition: Positive feedback on pay fairness, benefits, and recognition initiatives (measured via surveys, participation, and uptake).
- Scalability & readiness for growth: Reward programmes successfully adapted and implemented for international expansion, with smooth governance and clear oversight.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever 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
- 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
- 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 and Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships
About Us
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. Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
Director of Reward in London employer: Starling Bank
At Starling Bank, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth. With competitive benefits such as generous holiday allowances, private medical insurance, and a commitment to sustainability, we empower our team to thrive both personally and professionally. As a leader in the financial services sector, we provide unique opportunities for strategic thinkers to shape our reward strategies and contribute to our mission of transforming banking for good.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Reward in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Director of Reward role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Starling’s culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission to solve customer problems. Show them you’re not just a fit on paper, but a perfect match for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the reward strategy and how it can drive performance at Starling. Confidence is key, so rehearse your ideas until they flow naturally.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Starling family.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Reward in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your personality and passion for the role. Don’t just list your skills; tell us how they relate to our mission of solving customer problems.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Director of Reward position. Highlight your experience in designing reward strategies and how they align with our values. Show us you understand what makes Starling unique!
Show Your Impact:Use specific examples to demonstrate how your previous work has made a difference. Whether it’s improving employee engagement or ensuring compliance, we want to know how you’ve driven results in your past roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling Bank
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Starling's mission and values. Understand their approach to banking and how they aim to solve customer problems. This will help you align your answers with their culture and demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in designing total reward strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured regulatory compliance and driven employee engagement in previous positions, as these are key aspects of the Director of Reward role.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves measuring and evaluating the impact of reward programmes, come prepared with insights or case studies that showcase your analytical skills. Discuss how you've used data to inform decisions and improve reward offerings in the past.
✨Engage with Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking insightful questions. Inquire about Starling's future plans for international expansion and how they envision the role of Director of Reward evolving. This shows your strategic thinking and genuine interest in contributing to their growth.
