At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead PR strategy and execute campaigns for Starling's retail banking.
- Company: Join Starling Group, a pioneering fintech on a mission to empower financial well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in reshaping banking while showcasing innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in PR, strong media relationships, and excellent writing skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Hello, we’re Starling Group - a financial technology company on a mission to empower people and small business owners around the world to be good with money. In the UK, Starling’s award-winning, fully-licensed bank provides personal, business and joint current accounts to millions of customers. Internationally, Engine by Starling provides the Group’s proprietary technology platform to likeminded banks as a SaaS proposition. Headquartered in London, Starling has 12 offices around the world, including Southampton, Cardiff, Manchester and Fleet in its home market. We employ around 4,000 people and this role is for our London office.
We are seeking a passionate and driven PR lead to champion our retail banking proposition to people across the UK for a 12 month maternity leave cover. We're looking for a self-starter with a knack for consumer story telling, landing technical product stories, and leading integrated comms campaigns. Are you a seasoned PR professional with at least 10+ years of experience, ready to take on a new challenge and make a real impact?
As our PR lead, you will be the person for all things retail banking within the Group Corporate Affairs team. You’ll develop and execute a strategic communications programme that builds out our retail bank offering through a mix of consumer news generation, product launches and creative campaigns. You will be responsible for promoting Starling’s reputation as an innovative bank that helps people in the UK become good with money; support Starling’s commercial growth; and elevate the profile of our executives. You’ll work closely with Starling’s marketing, product and leadership teams to generate high-impact earned media opportunities, and will demonstrate the tangible impact that earned media has on the Group’s reputation.
In this role, you'll:
- Lead the PR strategy for Starling's retail banking offering
- Develop and execute compelling PR campaigns that showcase the unique value proposition of our retail banking solutions.
- Manage the relationship with our consumer PR agency
- Lead on press launches for our retail banking division, delivering high impact coverage that showcases Starling’s product innovation
- Develop creative news generation and reactive media ideas, both with and without our PR agency
- Secure and manage speaking slots for Bank and Group spokespeople.
- Collaborate with internal teams, including product, marketing, and communications, to ensure a cohesive brand message.
- Stay at the forefront of industry trends and proactively identify opportunities to position Starling as a leader in the retail banking space
- Support Starling’s leadership team with high-level interviews, speaking engagements and personal social media content.
- Be part of a small, busy Corporate Affairs team, occasionally supporting on SME, Engine and corporate media relations work.
What you'll bring:
- In-house or agency experience
- A strong track record of building and maintaining relationships with journalists, and picking up the phone rather than relying on email
- Experience in financial services, fintech, or another regulated industry (or a strong interest in banking/consumer finance)
- Experience managing senior spokespeople — briefing, prepping, and protecting executives in high-profile or reactive media moments
- Excellent writing skills and close attention to detail
You'll thrive here if you're:
- A quick thinker who's comfortable moving fast under pressure
- Organised and able to plan ahead, but equally happy improvising when news breaks
- Naturally curious, proactive, and not afraid to challenge or ask questions
- Energised by juggling multiple projects and stakeholders at once
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
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.
Senior PR Manager - Retail banking (12 month FTC) in London employer: Starling Bank
At Engine by Starling, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration within the banking technology sector. Our flexible working culture, generous benefits including 33 days of holiday and private medical insurance, and commitment to employee growth create a supportive environment where legal professionals can thrive. Located in a dynamic and rapidly growing company, you'll have the opportunity to work on impactful projects while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior PR Manager - Retail banking (12 month FTC) in London
✨Join PR Communities
Get involved in local PR groups or online communities where professionals gather to share opportunities and insights. Engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn—spotting temporary roles often happens in these spaces.
✨Attend PR Events
Look for industry events, workshops, or conferences that focus on public relations. Not only will you learn from the pros, but you might also meet someone who's looking for temporary help, which is perfect for a gig like this!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Create a portfolio that highlights any past PR work, campaigns, or even university projects. Share it on your social media or PR forums—you want to make sure your great work is visible when the right temporary role comes up.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
When you spot a temporary PR role with companies like Starling Bank, don't hesitate to apply directly through our website. You'll be on the front line, making it easier for you to get noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior PR Manager - Retail banking (12 month FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:When you're applying for a temporary role in public relations, your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion for the field. Highlight any relevant PR experience you have, even if it's just through internships or volunteer work. Tell us why you're excited about the opportunity at Starling Bank and how you can help make an impact, even in a short time!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Public relations is all about communicating effectively, so make sure your CV reflects this! Use clear, concise language and showcase any writing samples you might have, such as press releases, blog posts, or social media campaigns. Including a link to a portfolio could really set you apart from other candidates.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see how quickly you can jump in and start contributing. Mention past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or quickly adapted to changing situations. It’s these qualities that will show us you can thrive at Starling Bank even on a short-term basis!
Research Starling Bank and the Industry:Before submitting your application, take some time to learn about Starling Bank and its approach to PR. Mention anything specific you like about their campaigns or strategies in your cover letter. This extra effort shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to bring your unique perspective to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling Bank
✨Brush Up on Your Crisis Management Skills
In public relations, handling crises is key. Be ready to discuss past situations where you managed communication challenges effectively. Bring examples that showcase your quick thinking and strategic response – they want to see you in action!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio of Campaigns
Since this is a temporary role, showcasing your portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have a collection of your best press releases, campaign plans, or media coverage. You want to prove you can hit the ground running and bring valuable experience to Starling Bank right away!
✨Know Your Media Landscape
A strong PR candidate should be familiar with the media landscape. Brush up on key journalists, publications, and current trends in communications. Think about how you’d tailor messages to different media outlets – you might get asked about this during the interview!
✨Be Ready to Discuss Networking Strategies
Networking is a big part of PR work, especially in a temporary role. Be prepared to chat about your previous networking experiences or how you plan to build key relationships quickly at Starling Bank. They’ll want to know you can create buzz and leverage your connections immediately!
