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- Tasks: Lead critical data initiatives and ensure compliance with data regulations.
- Company: Join Starling, a forward-thinking digital bank on a mission for fairer banking.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the banking industry while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in data retention and strong project management skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.
Hybrid working: All Starling colleagues spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office with flexibility to work the rest from home.
Location: London
Closing date: Monday 23rd March, 12pm
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 are a branchless, largely paperless bank, committed to responsible banking, sustainability, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a hands-on, delivery-focused Project Manager to lead two critical initiatives: the completion of the organisation's Data Control Library and the delivery of a comprehensive Data Retention Programme. This role is accountable for translating data strategy and regulatory expectations into practical, executable outcomes across the business. You will work closely with senior stakeholders across technology, risk, compliance, and operations to ensure data is retained, managed, and securely deleted in line with legal, regulatory, and business requirements. Success in this role requires strong project delivery capability, deep understanding of the data lifecycle, and the ability to influence and mobilise teams without direct authority.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver a structured, end-to-end Data Retention Programme, including the identification and remediation of over-retained data.
- Translate high-level data strategy and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable plans for operational teams.
- Work closely with the Data Protection Officer (DPO), Deputy CIO, and other senior stakeholders to clarify data ownership, accountability, and governance.
- Identify and support Data Owners across the organisation, ensuring they understand their GDPR and data retention obligations.
- Own the delivery of the Data Control Library, ensuring controls are validated, risk-mapped, clearly documented, and embedded into business-as-usual processes.
- Identify control gaps or failures, and partner with technology and business owners to develop Remediation Plans with clear timelines.
- Quantify and report on the Residual Risk remaining when controls are found to be ineffective or missing.
- Partner with Second Line of Defence (2LoD) teams to align on expectations, controls, and training requirements.
- Establish and maintain effective project governance.
- Drive delivery momentum, proactively resolving any blockers to ensure timelines are met.
- Ensure the business is equipped to manage data retention and controls independently once the programme concludes.
Requirements
Behaviours & Competencies
- Strong influencing skills, with the ability to secure engagement and commitment without formal authority.
- Outcome-focused with an ability to see the problems through to resolution with minimal supervision.
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and maintaining momentum through complex challenges.
- Able to translate between regulatory, technical, and operational perspectives.
- Confident presenting to senior leaders while also working “in the weeds” with data owners and delivery teams.
- Anticipates risks and issues early and acts decisively to address them.
Skills & Experience
- Experience implementing or coordinating data retention schedules and data cleanup initiatives.
- Proven experience delivering complex, cross-functional programmes end-to-end.
- Strong command of structured project management methodologies and ability to apply them flexibly in practice.
- Practical understanding of the full data lifecycle and data governance concepts.
- Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and convert them into simple, actionable business processes.
- Experience working in regulated environments (e.g. financial services, fintech, or similar).
- Experience in identifying and improving controls.
Benefits
- 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.
Project Manager - Data Risk & Control (9 months FTC) employer: Starling
Contact Detail:
Starling Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Data Risk & Control (9 months FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Starling or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Starling's core values. Think about how your experiences align with 'Listen', 'Keep It Simple', and 'Do The Right Thing'. This will show you're not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in project management, especially around data retention and compliance. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can deliver results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Starling team.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Data Risk & Control (9 months FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the Project Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; provide examples of how you've successfully managed projects, especially in data retention or compliance. We want to see how you’ve made an impact in previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details and can process your application smoothly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling
✨Know Your Data Lifecycle
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the data lifecycle and how it applies to the role. Be ready to discuss your experience with data retention schedules and cleanup initiatives, as this will show that you can translate regulatory requirements into actionable plans.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to showcase your project management methodologies. Think of specific examples where you've successfully delivered complex, cross-functional programmes. Highlight how you navigated challenges and kept teams engaged without formal authority.
✨Engage with Starling's Values
Familiarise yourself with Starling's core values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim for Greatness. Be prepared to give examples of how you've embodied these values in your previous roles, especially in terms of collaboration and ethical decision-making.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Interaction
Since you'll be working closely with senior stakeholders, practice how you would present complex information clearly and concisely. Think about how you can influence and secure engagement from various teams, and be ready to discuss your approach to managing relationships across different levels of an organisation.