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- Tasks: Lead a high-performance governance team and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Company: Join Starling Bank, a tech-driven bank reshaping the financial landscape.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on corporate governance in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Chartered secretary with senior governance experience in regulated financial services.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace focused on continuous improvement and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
About Starling Bank
Hello, we’re Starling. 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’re a bank, but better: fairer, easier to use and designed to demystify money for everyone. We employ more than 3,500 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.
Role Overview
Reporting to the Group Company Secretary, we are seeking a Director of Governance - UK Bank to lead a dedicated team responsible for the effective operation of the Starling Bank Limited board and executive risk committee framework. This role ensures compliance with PRA and FCA requirements and promotes high standards of corporate governance. You will be passionate about corporate governance, continuously seeking improvement, and thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. This is a senior position working closely with board members and senior leadership. You will lead by example and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence.
As a skilled communicator, you will play a critical role in shaping and executing the Bank's corporate governance strategy, also supporting the broader Group Company Secretariat strategy. Strong regulated financial services and/or banking experience is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading and developing a high-performance corporate governance team of four, with one direct report (Senior Assistant Company Secretary - UK Bank).
- Working with the Group Company Secretary and Deputy Company Secretary to provide high-quality company secretariat support to the Starling Bank Board.
- Leading company secretariat support for the Starling Bank Board Risk Committee, preparing agendas, collating, reviewing and distributing papers, preparing high-quality minutes, and maintaining timely information flows with senior management.
- Supporting annual effectiveness reviews of board and executive level risk committees, ensuring continuous improvement in governance standards.
- Monitoring and advising on corporate governance trends, emerging regulatory developments and industry best practice.
- Contributing to the production of the Group Annual Report and Accounts from a Bank perspective.
Requirements
Qualifications
- A qualified chartered secretary (ACG, FCG or equivalent) with proven senior level governance experience.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in regulated financial services. UK banking experience is preferred but not essential.
Experience
- Deep knowledge of UK corporate governance standards, company law and UK regulatory frameworks (FCA, PRA, SMCR etc).
- Proven track record of engaging with board members and senior executives in a strategic governance role, designing and refining corporate governance processes, and maintaining their alignment to strategy and business operating models.
- Strong leadership skills with experience in building and managing governance teams.
- Excellent minute-taking skills with the ability to write clear, accurate and concise minutes in short order, balancing different stakeholder perspectives.
- Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to operate at the highest levels of an organisation.
- Proven ability to work in a fast paced or high growth environment.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent attention to detail, with an unwavering commitment to accuracy and maintaining high standards of record-keeping.
- Sound judgement and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
Key Behaviours
- Proactive and solution-oriented, with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Collaborative, able to build strong relationships across diverse teams.
- Resilient and adaptable to changing priorities and regulatory environments.
- Comfortable working in a small team where the focus is on delivery and execution excellence.
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
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.
Director of Governance - UK Bank employer: Women In Tech
Contact Detail:
Women In Tech Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Governance - UK Bank
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the banking and governance sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching Starling Bank’s values and recent developments. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission to reshape banking. We want to see your passion for corporate governance shine through!
✨Showcase Your Skills
During interviews, highlight your leadership skills and your ability to manage governance teams effectively. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you’ve improved governance standards. We love seeing candidates who can back up their claims with real-life success stories!
✨Follow Up
After your interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you email! It’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and remind them of your key strengths. We appreciate candidates who take the time to follow up and show they’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Governance - UK Bank
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Governance: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for corporate governance shine through. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of high standards and continuous improvement in governance.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in regulated financial services and UK banking. We’re looking for someone who can engage with board members and senior executives, so showcase those skills!
Be Clear and Concise: Your written application should reflect your excellent communication skills. Keep it clear and to the point, just like the minutes you’ll be taking. We appreciate attention to detail, so make sure there are no typos or errors.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Starling Bank!
How to prepare for a job interview at Women In Tech
✨Know Your Governance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on UK corporate governance standards, company law, and the regulatory frameworks like FCA and PRA. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are also ready to lead in a senior governance role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience in building and managing governance teams, as this is crucial for the Director of Governance position.
✨Master the Art of Communication
As a skilled communicator, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to engage with board members and senior executives. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex governance processes or strategies.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and adaptability. Think of scenarios where you've had to navigate changing priorities or regulatory environments, and be prepared to discuss how you handled them effectively.
