Location: London
Hybrid working: All Starling colleagues spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office with flexibility to work the rest from home.
Reporting to: Chief of Staff to the COO
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’re 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
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 practicePractical 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. When you provide us with this information, you are doing so at your own consent, with full knowledge that we will process this personal data in accordance with our Privacy Notice. By submitting your application, you agree that Starling Bank will collect your personal data for recruiting and related purposes. Our Privacy Notice explains what personal information we will process, where we will process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over our use of your personal information.
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