SMCR Lead/Manager

We are looking for an SMCR Lead / Manager to take ownership of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) across Starling. In this pivotal role, you will act as our ultimate subject matter expert, ensuring robust regulatory compliance while fostering a strong culture of individual accountability.

Your daily focus will involve:

• Maintaining and overseeing the Management Responsibilities Map (MRM), Statements of Responsibilities (SORs), Delegations, and Handover processes to ensure total accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinating the annual Fitness & Propriety (F&P) reviews for Senior Management Functions (SMFs), Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), and Certified employees.
• Overseeing the "reasonable steps" framework, guiding and supporting SMFs to effectively evidence their oversight and decision-making.
• Managing all SMCR-related processes for joiners, internal role moves, and leavers.
• Preparing and submitting regulatory forms and notifications to Compliance for submission via FCA Connect.
• Collaborating with the People Team to embed SMCR into onboarding, performance management, and disciplinary processes, while delivering engaging training sessions across the business.
• Maintaining a flawless audit trail for internal/external reviews and keeping a pulse on evolving regulatory developments to advise key stakeholders.

Requirements:

• Deep, hands-on experience managing the FCA and PRA SMCR frameworks within a banking or financial services environment.
• Proven track record working directly with, and supporting, Board-level executives and SMFs.
• Highly familiar with FCA Connect, the FCA Handbook, and the PRA Rulebook.
• Experience handling sensitive matters calmly and professionally, such as conduct rule breaches or complex issues arising from F&P assessments.
• Experience managing entire certification lifecycles, tracking individuals in scope, and delivering impactful SMCR training.

Behaviours & Competencies:

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the natural ability to influence and guide senior stakeholders.
• A solutions-oriented professional who stays calm under pressure and is comfortable navigating ambiguity or evolving regulations.
• A team player who looks at the bigger picture and works seamlessly cross-functionally.
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and time management skills, with an unwavering eye for detail.

Benefits:

• 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