Employee Relations Partner

Starling Bank; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A digital banking institution is seeking an Employee Relations Partner to enhance employee relations and ensure compliance with policies and laws. This role requires expertise in employment law, along with solid experience in an HR or legal environment. Applicants should demonstrate capabilities in a dynamic setting and have a desire for growth. The position entails responsibilities such as supporting investigations and assisting with policy development. A comprehensive benefits package and a supportive culture await the successful candidate.

Benefits

Flexible working

Comprehensive benefits package

25 days holiday plus extra day for birthday

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Qualifications

• Solid experience as an employee relations practitioner in either HR or legal.
• Good understanding of employment law.
• Experience in the financial services sector is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support in delivering the ER strategy.
• Assist with investigations into employee grievances.
• Support with organisational change programmes.

Skills

Employee relations experience

Understanding of employment law

Financial services knowledge

Regulatory issues handling

Job description

Location & hybrid working : We're open to the successful candidate being based from either London, Cardiff or Manchester. All Starling colleagues spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office with flexibility to work the rest from home.

Reporting to: Senior Employee Relations Partner

Closing date: Friday 9th January, 10am.

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're a branchless, largely paperless bank, committed to responsible banking, sustainability, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an Employee Relations Partner, ideally with some financial services exposure, to support the delivery of a specialist Employee Relations service to the bank.

The role represents a fantastic opportunity to join a vibrant institution and to help promote positive employee relations at the bank, ensuring compliance with its policies, regulatory obligations and applicable employment laws.

Your work will include :

• Supporting the wider team in the delivery of the ER strategy.
• Assisting as a point of contact on employee relations matters, including the interplay with the FCA’s Conduct Rules and Senior Manager & Certification Regime.
• Supporting hearing managers with investigations into employee grievances and disciplinary matters, conduct investigations, and performance management.
• Supporting with organisational change programmes.
• Assisting in the development of the governance framework, working closely with the Compliance, Legal and Reward teams, in relation to employee conduct issues.
• Assisting with selected policy drafting and review in light of any employment law and / or regulatory changes.
• Supporting the design and delivery of Employee Relations training to the business.
• Support with ensuring accurate reporting of Employee Relations data to allow for the production of robust ER analytics, including trend analysis and insights.
• Supporting the Chief People Officer with SMCR reporting obligations.

Requirements

• Solid experience as an employee relations practitioner in either a HR or legal team, or a lawyer with employment law experience.
• A good understanding of employment law.
• Experience in the financial services sector is desirable.
• Experience or awareness of handling regulatory issues in the context of the SMCR, conduct, and remuneration matters.
• Capable of working in a fast‑paced environment and keen to grow and develop within the organisation.

Benefits

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

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