Head of Public Affairs

We’re hiring for a Public Affairs manager to join our communications team. Reporting into Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, this represents an exciting opportunity to help shape the public affairs agenda for one of the UK’s fastest growing banks. You’ll have the opportunity to drive the bank’s public affairs and policy priorities across numerous channels. This is a pivotal role within the business, so we’re looking for an experienced individual with a passion for building relationships with key stakeholders.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Developing and delivering Starling’s public affairs and parliamentary engagement strategy, with an emphasis on building authentic relationships with key stakeholders and individuals
• Managing all aspects of the bank's relationships with politicians, policy makers and opinion-formers across local government, the devolved bodies, Westminster, Whitehall, NGOs, think tanks, academics, industry groups, the EU and other international bodies
• Keep the Chief Corporate Affairs officer briefed on relevant developments concerning politicians, policy makers and opinion-formers across local government, the devolved bodies, Westminster, Whitehall, NGOs, think tanks, academics, industry groups, the EU and other international bodies
• Align all such activity with the bank’s commercial objectives
• Work closely with colleagues from across the business (including communications, regulation and operations) where appropriate
• Prepare written briefings for MPs and their teams, Ministers, civil servants in key government departments, parliamentary select committees, and other relevant bodies on key issues.
• Align all such activity with the bank’s commercial objectives

• Monitor key regulatory and policy developments and drafting and preparation of briefings on relevant public affairs issues and political developments.
• Act as a central point of contact for consultations and co-ordinating responses and submissions with our regulatory and policy teams;
• Manage relations with external trade bodies including UK Finance and Innovate Finance.

Requirements

• This role would suit a strategic thinker who has worked in Westminster either in a public affairs or media role previously; or in a highly regulated sector
• A good understanding of the Westminster village and a good network of established contacts with politicians and their teams;
• Although previous banking or fintech experience is preferred it is not essential, however you should have an awareness of the UK fintech sector and a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector;
• Experience of developing and communicating public policy positions proactively
• Proven ability to engage and influence stakeholders
• A self-starter who can ‘own it’ and use their own initiative, taking the lead on issues where necessary;
• Excellent communicator to all levels (written, verbal and interpersonal).
• Effective problem solving and decision-making ability.
• Ability to deliver consistent excellent results under pressure with minimal supervision and to strict deadlines.

Benefits

• 33 days holiday (including public hols). You’ll also get your birthday on us
• 16 hours paid volunteering time a year
• Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth
• Contributory pension scheme
• We have many varied social groups set up and run by our employees - ForTheWin (a gaming group), Starling FC, book club and many more!
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, shopping and train tickets via a Perkbox membership
• Access to ‘salary sacrifice’ benefits such as Cycle to Work scheme
• Gym membership options
• Full details are available on our careers site

About Us:

Starling is a leading digital bank on a mission to disrupt the banking industry.

Since our launch in 2014, we've surpassed 2 million accounts, including almost 300,000 business accounts. Our total deposits, meanwhile, have topped £4.5 billion over the same period. We're a fully licensed UK bank, and we have the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive technology company. We've won the Best British Bank award three years running, and now employ over 1100 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff & Dublin offices.

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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