Senior Legal Counsel (Employment)

Overview

In this senior role you will steer employment law for Starling across the business, guiding regulatory and non-regulatory matters. You will lead legal support throughout the employee lifecycle, collaborate with People, treasury, and external counsel, and manage international projects for Engine by Starling. You will shape compensation and regulatory compliance initiatives while developing the team. The role offers broad exposure to a fast‑growing, mission‑driven fintech.

Pay / Benefits

• 25 days holiday
• Birthday leave
• Pension scheme (salary sacrifice)
• Life insurance 4x salary
• Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth
• Perkbox membership

Responsibilities

• Advise on employment law and regulatory issues (SMCR, FCA Code of Conduct) for People and wider business
• Deliver and manage legal support across the employee lifecycle (hiring, dismissals, grievances, disciplinaries, settlement agreements, employment status)
• Support corporate/commercial teams on TUPE and related matters
• Advise on regulatory issues in financial services and banking
• Manage international projects for Engine by Starling (EMEA/global) with external counsel
• Collaborate with Reward on compensation policy, including malus/clawback and deferred compensation
• Oversee multiple projects to ensure timely, accurate delivery of business initiatives
• Provide employment law training to the People team and wider business
• Instruct and work with external counsel on specialist matters

Key requirements

• PQE 6-10 years
• Strong technical employment law experience
• Experience in banking/financial services
• Regulatory experience related to SMCR, conduct, remuneration, and inquiries
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and grow within the organization
• In-house FS experience preferred but not essential

• Strong communication skills
• Stakeholder management
• Commercial mindset
• Employment law expertise
• Regulatory compliance (SMCR, FCA Code of Conduct)
• TUPE experience

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