Controls Testing & Risk Manager - People Team

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 Controls Testing & Risk Manager  to join our People team. The role will support the Chief People Officer (CPO)and wider People team by:

• Creating and executing the People 1LoD Control testing plans 
• Supporting the effective governance and management of non-financial risks in the team.
• Providing specialist risk and control knowledge to stakeholders in order for Starling to operate within its risk appetite. 
• Partnering with Risk and Control Owners to serve as trusted advisors and create a culture of effective and consistent controls assurance, risk management, oversight and reporting.

The primary responsibility will be creating and executing the People 1LoD Control testing plans but you will also be working with the Risk and Controls Manager to support the People function with all things risk and controls related by building strong relationships to create and drive risk awareness in the first line. This role is open to candidates based in either London, Manchester, Cardiff or Southampton.

Responsibilities include:

Using insight and information from various sources this role will be responsible for ongoing monitoring of the first line of defence (1LoD) People risk and control profile. Supporting all related activities including Controls Testing, Risk and Control Self Assessments (RCSA), oversight of Issues and Actions along with close engagement with 2LoD assurance teams, Event Management, People 1LoD monthly Risk Reporting and provision of training.

Risk & Control Advisory:

• Support completion of the Risk Controls Self Assessment (RCSA) process within the People team
• Working with Risk and Control owners by providing advice, challenge and input on key decisions, ensuring Risk and Control owners are aware and accountable and enabling them to clearly articulate and manage their risk profile.
• Key contributor to the ongoing development of a risk aware culture within the 1LoD.
• Working closely with the 2LoD Operational Risk  team relating to report outcomes, findings and actions in order to identify the linkage to the Risks and Controls.

Risk & Control Lifecycle, Oversight and Reporting:

• Creating and executing the People 1LoD Control testing plans 
• Oversight and challenge of the People  1LoD risk and control environment, driving improvements to enhance risk management.
• Assisting key stakeholders on the identification of risk and creation of controls including development of continuous monitoring approaches.
• Identifying control deficiencies, reporting outcomes and areas for enhancement.
• Operational Event management and reviews including root cause analysis, containment, lessons learned and read across.

• Risk management experience within financial services, 1st or 2nd line, with a proven record of controls testing
• A strong understanding of risk management frameworks.
• Risk management experience gained in a HR function and management of People Risk will be an advantage.  We are looking for someone who has passion and enthusiasm to get stuck in.
• A good understanding of controls testing methodologies and experience executing controls testing to a high standard.
• Understanding of Conduct Risk, employment related legislation and regulation and the Consumer Duty would be an advantage.

Behaviours & Competencies:

• A natural ability to build strong stakeholder relationships. 
• An inquisitive and analytical mind is key and will help you to really understand risks, controls, processes and whether our controls are working sufficiently to mitigate our risks, identifying control gaps & suggesting improvements.
• A proactive approach to managing workloads and ‘can do' attitude, along with ability to use initiative, taking ownership and seeing things through.
• Ability to challenge the status quo, helping us shape financial crime operations to be the best in class across financial services.

• 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 & group income protection
• 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
• 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

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.

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