Creative Operations Manager

Starling Bank; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living Wage employer

Flexible working

25 days holiday

7% employer pension contribution

Private Medical Insurance

Waitrose discounts

Cycle to Work

EV leasing

Job summary

Starling Bank is seeking a senior Creative Operations Lead to oversee end-to-end creative workflows, resource planning, and platform integration. You will drive efficiency by deploying AI tools, align with Head of BI/Production, and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-impact projects.

The role supports a hybrid work model with a 37.5-hour week and office presence obligations, contributing to Starling's mission of a fairer, smarter, and human banking experience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a creative operations role within an in-house studio, agency, or production environment.
• Hands-on experience using AI software to improve workflow efficiency.
• Proficient with workflow management platforms such as Jira or Monday.com.
• Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders and navigating corporate structures.
• Experience working in structured, process-oriented, or regulated business environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee creative operations end-to-end, including project setup, brief intake, quality checks, workload traffic, resource allocation, and final project delivery.
• Lead critical brief assessment meetings, working with Head of BI/Production and 2 x Executive Creative Directors to assess briefs, agree production and creative team allocation, as well as time required to deliver.
• Implement a new workflow management platform and integrate practical AI tools into daily processes to improve efficiency.
• Track team capacity, workload requirements, and resourcing to ensure smooth project delivery.
• Manage stakeholders effectively by enforcing deadlines, securing necessary approvals on time, and resolving delivery issues as they arise.
• Collaborate closely with Producers, Creatives, Channel Owners, and Brand Integration teams to produce effective creative assets.
• Maintain a clear overview of all active projects and prioritise high-impact work when demand is high.
• Use AI tools to automate routine tasks and streamline project management workflows.
• Convert creative briefs into structured project plans, schedules, and resourcing models, while maintaining clear dependency maps and status updates.

Skills

Creative ops management

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Team coordination

Prioritization

Tools

Jira

Monday.com

AI software

Job description

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. Working Hours: You will work a 37.5 hour week, with shifts between the hours of Monday - Friday 9am - 5:30pm Hybrid working: All Starling colleagues spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office with flexibility to work the rest from home.

What You'll Do

• Oversee creative operations end-to-end, including project setup, brief intake, quality checks, workload traffic, resource allocation, and final project delivery.
• Lead critical brief assessment meetings, working with Head of BI/Production and 2 x Executive Creative Directors to assess briefs, agree production and creative team allocation, as well as time required to deliver.
• Implement a new workflow management platform and integrate practical AI tools into daily processes to improve efficiency.
• Track team capacity, workload requirements, and resourcing to ensure smooth project delivery.
• Manage stakeholders effectively by enforcing deadlines, securing necessary approvals on time, and resolving delivery issues as they arise.
• Collaborate closely with Producers, Creatives, Channel Owners, and Brand Integration teams to produce effective creative assets.
• Maintain a clear overview of all active projects and prioritise high-impact work when demand is high.
• Use AI tools to automate routine tasks and streamline project management workflows.
• Convert creative briefs into structured project plans, schedules, and resourcing models, while maintaining clear dependency maps and status updates.

Behaviours & Competencies

• Solid understanding of end-to-end creative and production processes.
• Proven track record of managing operations across multiple concurrent creative projects and teams.
• Strong attention to detail and organized execution, with a focus on driving tasks through to final completion.
• Ability to thrive in a fast and sometimes stressful work environment.
• Proficient in managing project timelines, budgets, and operational dependencies.

Essential Skills & Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in a creative operations role within an in-house studio, agency, or production environment.
• Hands-on experience using AI software to improve workflow efficiency.
• Proficient with workflow management platforms such as Jira or Monday.com.
• Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders and navigating corporate structures.
• Experience working in structured, process-oriented, or regulated business environments.

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.

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