Legal Counsel - Retail Banking, Payments & Commercial

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 more than 3,000 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.

Your new role 

You will be part of the Retail & Commercial Legal team within Starling’s Legal function.  This team provides legal advice and support in respect of the UK bank’s retail banking products (including current accounts and savings accounts), payments and commercial matters, including third party supplier and marketing contracts.  It also supports the group’s B2B payment services business, Starling Banking Services.

In this role you will have significant exposure to senior stakeholders across the bank.  Whilst you will be expected to work across all of the areas stated, this role will have a focus on retail banking products, payments, channels and Starling Banking Services, so payments experience will be key. 

This role is available to those within a commutable distance of our Manchester, Cardiff or London offices.  You must be prepared to travel to our various sites when necessary.  

This role represents a fantastic opportunity to join a growing Legal team and make your mark at one of the world’s most exciting fintechs.

Responsibilities

Your work will include: 

• Advising on the full range of legal and regulatory matters affecting Starling’s retail banking products and services, including drafting customer facing terms and conditions.
• Advising the UK bank and Starling Banking Services on payments matters.
• Drafting and negotiating a full range of commercial agreements (e.g. marketing, technology, outsourcing) to support the development of Starling.  This includes third party supplier contracts in a financial services context.
• Managing multiple projects (often to tight deadlines) and supporting colleagues to ensure business and enterprise-wide initiatives are executed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Instructing and working with outside counsel where necessary on specialist matters.

• You will be a UK qualified lawyer with around 4-8 years’ PQE (note PQE is a guide only), ideally with a mix of private practice and in house experience.
• You will have significant experience in retail banking (including current accounts, savings accounts and payments), as well as experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts in a financial services context.
• You will be capable of working in a fast-paced environment and be keen to grow and develop within the organisation.
• You will also have excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• 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
• 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
• 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 and Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships

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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