At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk and control initiatives in marketing, ensuring compliance and creativity go hand in hand.
- Company: Join Starling, a digital bank revolutionising the banking experience with technology and integrity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and responsible banking.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of banking while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in operational risk or compliance, especially in marketing within financial services.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Location: London
Reporting to: Chief of Staff to CMO and Director of Marketing Operations
Closing date: Wednesday, 7th October at 5pm.
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're 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.
The Opportunity
We're hiring a Risk and Control Lead to join our Marketing team during a pivotal new phase of growth. We are looking for an experienced leader who is responsible for establishing, overseeing, and maintaining the governance, risk, and control framework across all marketing activities. This role ensures that marketing campaigns, customer communications, brand assets, and data-driven targeting adhere to internal risk standards, regulatory mandates, and consumer duty guidelines without stifling creative velocity.
What You'll Do
- Own and operationalise tailored Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSA) across the marketing department.
- Conduct proactive risk assessments on new marketing initiatives, product launches, brand campaigns, and go-to-market strategies prior to release.
- Own, define and test robust First Line of Defence (1LoD) controls.
- Monitor changes in relevant laws (e.g., consumer duty, advertising standards, data privacy like GDPR/CCPA, fair treatment of customers) and embed necessary control points into marketing operations.
- Identify, log, and manage marketing incidents, operational failures, or legal/regulatory breaches; lead root-cause analysis and enforce action plans.
- Evaluate third-party advertising, media, and vendors for risk exposure, defining and implementing the necessary controls.
- Serve as the central subject matter expert (SME) advising creative, growth, and product marketing teams on compliant execution while conducting routine risk training across the marketing function.
Requirements
Essential Skills & Experience:
- 5+ years of experience in operational risk or compliance, specifically supporting marketing or brand, and ideally within financial services.
- Hands-on experience in facilitating Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSA), process mapping, key risk identification, and assessing residual risk levels in marketing environments.
- Deep understanding of advertising regulations (e.g., ASA, FCA guidelines), data protection laws (GDPR), and consumer duty.
- Proven track record in designing end-to-end control testing, risk mapping, and business process monitoring.
Behaviours & Competencies:
- Excellent cross-functional communicator capable of balancing regulatory rigour with commercial goals and creativity.
- Outstanding ability to break down complex, dense regulatory frameworks into pragmatic, easy-to-digest concepts that resonate with creative marketing professionals.
Benefits
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.
When you provide us with this information, you are doing so at your own consent, with full knowledge that we will process this personal data in accordance with our Privacy Notice. By submitting your application, you agree that Starling Bank will collect your personal data for recruiting and related purposes. Our Privacy Notice explains what personal information we will process, where we will process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over our use of your personal information.
We use AI tools to support various parts of our recruitment process, helping our team manage applications and assessments more efficiently. These tools are strictly used for support and do not replace human judgment with all final hiring decisions being made by our team. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please reach out to us.
Marketing Risk & Control Lead 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 Marketing Risk & Control Lead
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Starling Bank. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Marketing Risk & Control Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Starling Bank.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Starling Bank's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling Bank
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Starling Bank.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Starling Bank will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Starling Bank employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
