Employee Relations Specialist
Starling
Job Overview
Location
London, England, United Kingdom
Employment Type
Full-time
Work Arrangement
Hybrid
Sector
Finance & Banking
Experience Level
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Application Deadline
April 29, 2026
About the Company
Starling is a leading digital bank committed to providing a fairer, smarter, and more human alternative to traditional banking. Driven by fast technology, fair service, and honest values, Starling aims to create a banking industry that serves everyone.
The company develops best-in-class proprietary technology and offers an exceptional customer experience, underpinned by strong, sustainable business practices. Starling's operations are largely branchless and paperless, with a focus on responsible banking and sustainability.
Their core values—Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim for Greatness—guide their strategy and culture. Starling fosters an inclusive environment where employees can thrive, encouraging experimentation, ownership, and a relentless focus on ethical conduct.
Job Description
Starling is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Specialist to join their dynamic team in London. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to significantly contribute to the bank's mission of providing a fairer, smarter, and more human banking experience.
In this position, you will be instrumental in delivering a specialized Employee Relations service, primarily supporting leaders with complex casework. You will ensure compliance with the bank's policies, regulatory obligations, and applicable employment laws, playing a key role in promoting positive employee relations.
Your responsibilities will include providing end-to-end support on a range of employee relations issues, advising on regulatory matters, and contributing to organizational change programs. You will also act as an escalation point for complex ER matters and assist in developing the governance framework and training initiatives.
To apply for this role, click the Apply button on this page and follow the instructions.
Required Skills
Key Responsibilities
- Providing end-to-end support to managers on employee relations issues, including employee grievances, investigations, disciplinary matters, whistleblowing and complex performance and absence management.
- Advising on the interplay with the FCA’s Conduct Rules and Senior Manager & Certification Regime.
- Provide employee relations support on organisational change programmes.
- Proactively identify areas for improvement within the function, and support with embedding best practice ways of working.
- Act as an escalation point for People Partners and People Advisors on complex ER matters.
- Supporting the wider team in the delivery of the ER strategy.
- Assisting in the development of the governance framework, working closely with the Compliance, Legal and Reward teams, in relation to employee conduct issues.
- Assisting with selected policy drafting and review in light of any employment law and/or regulatory changes.
- Supporting the design and delivery of Employee Relations training to the business and the wider People team.
- Support with ensuring accurate reporting of Employee Relations data to allow for the production of robust ER analytics, including trend analysis and insights.
Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience as an employee relations specialist, managing complex cases in either a HR or legal team, or as a lawyer with employment law and ER experience.
- Experience supporting organisational change and transformation programmes.
- Very strong understanding of UK employment law.
- Experience in the financial services sector is desirable.
- Experience or awareness of handling regulatory issues in the context of the SMCR, conduct, and remuneration matters.
- Capable of working in a fast-paced environment and keen to grow and develop within the organisation.
Benefits & Perks
- 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 works best for you)
- An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
- Life Insurance at 4x your salary.
- 16 hours of paid volunteering time a year.
- Ability to buy or sell annual leave.
- Generous family-friendly policies.
- Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
- 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
- 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.
How to Apply
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The UK financial services sector is experiencing significant regulatory evolution, demanding robust employee relations strategies. This role requires deep expertise in navigating complex casework, including grievances, investigations, and disciplinary matters, with a keen understanding of FCA Conduct Rules and SMCR. Key technical skills include employment law, regulatory compliance, and HR policy development. The Employee Relations Specialist will directly impact the bank's operational integrity and leadership effectiveness by mitigating risk and fostering a compliant, fair workplace. This position is crucial for maintaining organizational stability and supporting strategic HR initiatives within a leading digital bank.
Posted Date
April 20, 2026
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