At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on retail banking products and navigate regulatory changes.
- Company: Join Starling, Britain's first digital bank, revolutionising the banking experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Open to diverse backgrounds; flexible working discussions encouraged.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic fintech environment while solving customer problems.
- Qualifications: UK-qualified lawyer with 5+ years PQE and strong regulatory knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ 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.
Back then, we were obsessed with unravelling the knotty world of finance and solving people's problems rather than selling them stuff.
We still are.
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.
From our approach to working together and sustainability to how we build our products, our decisions need to make the world - and Starling - a better place to be.
Everyone at Starling is essential to our mission, which is really quite simple: to solve our customer's problems - and build the best bank in the world!
And now we're providing Starling to other banks, via a Software-as-a-Service (Saa S) proposition through our subsidiary Engine, using the proprietary technology platform that it uses to power our own bank.
Senior Legal Counsel - SBL Legal, you'll primarily primarily manage and work on retail financial products and services. Please note that this is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.
It's a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly, dynamic team, work on a broad mix of initiatives, and make your mark at one of the UK's most exciting fintechs.
- What you'll be doing
- Providing expert legal advice on retail banking products, consumer credit and payments propositions, and strategic initiatives.
From concept through to implementation, for both retail consumers and SME businesses.
- Interpreting regulatory change and translating it into practical, commercially focused advice on the impact across the business.
- Horizon-scanning for upcoming regulatory developments and helping the business prepare early.
- Identifying and assessing areas of legal and regulatory risk in line with the enterprise risk management framework, balancing commercial objectives with the delivery of good customer outcomes.
- Attending governance fora and providing legal input into key decisions and approvals.
- Supporting product and engineering squads day-to-day, giving them clear, pragmatic guidance they can act on.
- Working alongside Compliance, Financial Crime and Risk (second and third lines), and engaging with regulators (FCA/PRA) where required.
- Managing external counsel and panel firms, including instructions and budget, where appropriate.
- UK-qualified lawyer with a strong academic record, excellent legal training, and 5+ years PQE gained at a law firm and/or in-house.
- Deep technical regulatory legal knowledge and experience of advising on the Consumer Credit Act, Financial Services and Markets Act, FCA Handbook (CONC, BCOBs, COBs, Consumer Duty) and the Payment Services Regulations.
- Strong commercial judgement and ability to provide pragmatic, risk-based advice.
- Ability to work independently and proactively, reporting up as required, in a fast-paced environment;
- Excellent drafting communication and analytical skills;
- Strong attention to detail.
- Resilient, diligent, and conscientious.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively with colleagues at all levels of seniority and specialism across the business.
- 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 Vitality Health 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.
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.
By submitting your application, you agree that Starling Bank may collect your personal data for recruiting and related purposes.
Our Privacy Notice explains what personal information we may process, where we may process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over our use of your personal information.
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Senior Legal Counsel - SBL Legal (12 month FTC) 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 Legal Counsel - SBL Legal (12 month FTC)
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Starling Bank.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Starling Bank does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Starling Bank.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel - SBL Legal (12 month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Starling Bank and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling Bank
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Senior Legal Counsel - SBL Legal (12 month FTC) role at Starling Bank. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Starling Bank.
