Director of Reward · Starling

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:16:15 GMT
Finance

Starling · London · hybrid

Hello, we’re Starling. Banking was broken – so we decided to fix it. The vision? Fast technology, fair service and honest values. All at the tap of a phone, all the time. We built Britain’s first digital bank. One hard-won banking licence later, we set about giving people a new way to spend, save and manage their money (and take better care of the planet, too). We’re changing banking for good.

As Starling accelerates its growth both in the UK and internationally, we are seeking a strategic Director of Reward to lead our Compensation, Benefits, and Recognition agenda. This pivotal role will ensure our reward strategies attract, retain, and motivate the right talent while maintaining full regulatory compliance.

You will partner with senior leaders across the business to design and implement a cohesive total reward framework that supports our ambitious growth plans, reinforces our culture, and drives high performance. This role is critical in positioning the Group as an employer of choice globally - delivering innovative and scalable solutions across pay, benefits, and recognition that meet the needs of our diverse workforce.

Define and execute reward strategy:

Lead the design and implementation of the Group’s total reward framework, aligned with business strategy and growth ambitions.

Ensure regulatory compliance: Own governance of all reward programmes, ensuring compliance with UK regulations (FCA/PRA) and readiness for international expansion.

Drive employee engagement: Develop innovative recognition and incentive initiatives that reinforce company values, celebrate performance, and motivate teams.

Enable international scalability: Prepare reward programmes to be adaptable across geographies, balancing global consistency with local market requirements.

Measure and evaluate impact: Track and report on the effectiveness of reward programmes, including engagement, participation, retention, and performance outcomes, using data-driven insights to continuously improve offerings.

Provide insight and data-driven recommendations: Use analytics, benchmarking, and market trends to inform reward decisions and continuously improve programmes.

Requirements

Proven experience designing and delivering total reward strategies, ideally in a regulated organisation in financial services.

Demonstrable knowledge of UK reward legislation and regulatory frameworks, with exposure to international markets a plus.

Strong commercial acumen and understanding of how reward drives business performance.

Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance competitive reward with cost and regulatory compliance.

Excellent analytical and modelling skills to evaluate financial impacts of reward decisions.

Exceptional communication skills, able to clearly articulate reward philosophy and programmes to business leaders and employees.

Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and implement initiatives at scale.

Experience leading change initiatives