Risks and Controls Manager - People Team

Starling Bank; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bank is seeking a Risk & Controls Manager for its People team in London. The role involves managing non-financial risks, supporting the Chief People Officer, and fostering a risk-aware culture. Ideal candidates will have banking sector experience and strong stakeholder management skills. This position offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus public holidays

Additional day for birthday

Paid volunteering hours

Pension schemes

Private medical insurance

Referral incentives

Family-friendly policies

Perkbox membership

Qualifications

• Experience in first-line control testing is advantageous.
• Understanding of risk management frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Driving governance and management of non-financial risks.
• Managing the RCSA process within the People team.
• Overseeing the People 1LoD risk environment.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Stakeholder relationship-building

Proactive attitude

Education

Risk Management experience

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Risks and Controls Manager - People Team

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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 nearly 4,000 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.

We're looking for a Risk & Controls Manager to join our People team. The role will support the Chief People Officer (CPO) and wider People team by:

1. Driving the effective governance and management of non-financial risks in the team
2. Providing specialist risk and control knowledge to stakeholders to ensure Starling operates within its risk appetite
3. Partnering with Risk and Control Owners as a trusted advisor to foster a culture of effective risk management, oversight, and reporting
4. Supporting the CPO's SMF attestation and responsibilities

The ideal candidate would have Risk Management experience within the banking sector (first or second line) and a proven track record in People Risk. We seek someone passionate and enthusiastic about engaging deeply. You will be the key contact across the People team, supporting the business with risk and controls matters, building strong relationships, and promoting risk awareness in the first line. This role is open to candidates based in London, Manchester, Cardiff, or Southampton.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

This role involves ongoing monitoring of the People risk and control profile within the first line of defence, supporting activities such as Risk and Control Self Assessments (RCSA), oversight of issues and actions, engaging with assurance teams, event management, monthly risk reporting, and training provision.

Risk & Control Advisory:

• Managing the RCSA process within the People team
• Advising and challenging Risk and Control owners to ensure accountability and clarity in risk management
• Contributing to a risk-aware culture within the 1LoD
• Collaborating with 2LoD teams on reports, findings, and linkage to risks and controls
• Engaging with stakeholders on policy development and embedding risk management practices
• Monitoring emerging risks in collaboration with People Leadership

Risk & Control Lifecycle, Oversight and Reporting:

• Overseeing and challenging the People 1LoD risk environment and driving improvements
• Supporting risk identification and control development, including continuous monitoring
• Developing and implementing control testing plans
• Identifying control deficiencies and reporting findings
• Managing operational events, root cause analysis, lessons learned, and cross-referencing issues
• Designing and managing risk reports for senior management oversight

Requirements:

Regulatory knowledge:

• Understanding of risk management frameworks
• Experience in first-line control testing is advantageous
• Knowledge of Conduct Risk and Consumer Duty is a plus

Behaviours & Competencies:

• Strong stakeholder relationship-building skills
• Analytical and inquisitive mindset to understand risks, controls, and processes
• Proactive, ownership-driven, and solution-oriented attitude
• Ability to challenge the status quo and help shape best-in-class financial crime operations

Skills:

• Proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
• Experience in risk roles within banking or as a risk champion in a business line

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus the option to take public holidays when convenient
• An additional day's holiday for your birthday
• Annual leave increases with service, with options to buy or sell days
• Paid volunteering hours, pension schemes, life insurance, private medical insurance, and partner discounts
• Family-friendly policies, referral incentives, Perkbox membership, and sustainability initiatives

About us:

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet every qualification but are excited to join us. We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive workplace. By applying, you consent to our data processing as described in our Privacy Notice.

Additional Details:

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Finance and Sales
• Industries: IT Services and IT Consulting