Marketing Risk & Control Lead

We're hiring a Risk and Control Lead to join our Marketing team during a pivotal new phase of growth. We are looking for an experienced leader who is responsible for establishing, overseeing, and maintaining the governance, risk, and control framework across all marketing activities. This role ensures that marketing campaigns, customer communications, brand assets, and data-driven targeting adhere to internal risk standards, regulatory mandates, and consumer duty guidelines without stifling creative velocity.

What You'll Do

• Own and ope rationalise tailored Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSA) across the marketing department.
• Conduct proactive risk assessments on new marketing initiatives, product launches, brand campaigns, and go-to-market strategies prior to release.
• Own, define and test robust First Line of Defence (1
  
  LoD) controls.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws (e.g., consumer duty, advertising standards, data privacy like GDPR/CCPA, fair treatment of customers) and embed necessary control points into marketing operations.
• Identify, log, and manage marketing incidents, operational failures, or legal/regulatory breaches; lead root-cause analysis and enforce action plans.
• Evaluate third-party advertising, media, and vendors for risk exposure, defining and implementing the necessary controls.
• Serve as the central subject matter expert (SME) advising creative, growth, and product marketing teams on compliant execution while conducting routine risk training across the marketing function.
  5+ years of experience in operational risk or compliance, specifically supporting marketing or brand, and ideally within financial services.
• Hands-on experience in facilitating Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSA), process mapping, key risk identification, and assessing residual risk levels in marketing environments.
• Deep understanding of advertising regulations (e.g., ASA, FCA guidelines), data protection laws (GDPR), and consumer duty.
• Proven track record in designing end-to-end control testing, risk mapping, and business process monitoring.

• Excellent cross-functional communicator capable of balancing regulatory rigour with commercial goals and creativity.
• Outstanding ability to break down complex, dense regulatory frameworks into pragmatic, easy-to-digest concepts that resonate with creative marketing professionals.
  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.

Hybrid working:
All Starling colleagues spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office with flexibility to work the rest from home.

• 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…