At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of credit risk models and strategies to safeguard our bank's financial stability.
- Company: Join Starling, the UK's first digital bank, on a mission to revolutionise banking.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: We're committed to diversity and inclusion; all backgrounds are welcome!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in reshaping banking while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Credit Risk with strong modelling and communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Starling is the UK’s first and leading digital bank on a mission to fix banking! We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way. We’re a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive tech company. We employ more than 3,500 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.
To support our ongoing growth, we’re looking to recruit a Head of Credit Risk Modelling and Strategy within the 2nd line Credit Risk Team. The role will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the financial stability of the Bank by leading the development and continuous improvement of regulatory and operational credit risk models and credit decisioning strategies. The role requires a deep understanding of credit risk principles, regulatory requirements, and credit model and strategy development.
As part of the second line of defence, you will work closely with, and provide insight to, stakeholders across the business, while delivering robust credit risk models and strategies that align with the Bank’s overall risk appetite and strategy.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
- Lead the development, monitoring and maintenance of the Bank’s credit risk decisioning models, including acquisition scorecards and affordability models.
- Develop and monitor automated decisioning strategies for the Bank’s lending products.
- Define standards for credit risk model development which align to the Bank’s Model Risk Framework, and ensure these are implemented within the team.
- Ensure all credit risk models and strategies comply with relevant UK regulatory standards, including PRA and FCA requirements.
- Collaborate with key internal stakeholders, including the first line Asset Management and Finance teams, to ensure models and strategies support business objectives.
- Ensure all models and standards are documented to a high standard, and present outputs to senior stakeholders and committees.
- Lead and develop a high performing team of risk modelling analysts, and support individual continuous professional development.
- Keep track of industry trends and regulatory requirements to continually enhance the Bank’s management of credit risk.
Requirements
- 10+ years’ experience in Credit Risk within a Banking environment.
- Strong experience of credit risk modelling, gained through model development or validation related roles.
- Strong understanding of retail and SME lending products.
- Experience of developing and maintaining credit risk strategies, ideally in an unsecured retail lending environment.
- Experience of a range of lending products (mortgages, unsecured retail lending, SME lending) preferred.
- Proven experience in influencing, negotiation and relationship management.
- Strong communication skills, with experience of preparing and presenting documents in relation to models.
- Coding experience in Python, R, SAS or similar.
- Good knowledge of model risk governance.
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. 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.
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.
Head of Credit Decision Modelling and Strategy in London employer: Starling
Starling is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for engineers to thrive. With a hybrid working model, employees enjoy flexibility while benefiting from comprehensive support for professional growth and development. The positive work environment, coupled with a commitment to clean coding practices, ensures that team members are empowered to tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningfully to the future of banking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Credit Decision Modelling and Strategy in London
✨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.
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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. 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 Head of Credit Decision Modelling and Strategy in London
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.
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'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
✨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.
✨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 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 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.
