Client Solutions & Product Director - Engine by Starling

At Engine by Starling, we are on a mission to find and work with leading banks all around the world who have the ambition to build rapid growth businesses, on our technology. 

Engine is Starling's software-as-a-service (SaaS) business, the technology that was built to power Starling, and two years ago we split out as a separate business. 

Starling has seen exceptional growth and success, and a large part of that is down to the fact that we have built our own modern technology from the ground up. This SaaS technology platform is now available to banks and financial institutions all around the world, enabling them to benefit from the innovative digital features, and efficient back-office processes that has helped achieve Starling's success.

We are on a mission to find and work with leading banks all around the world who have the ambition to build rapid growth businesses, on our technology. We are looking for future leaders to come and join our team, to build client relationships, and work with them to understand their needs and how we can solve them with Engine’s technology.

Who are Engine by Starling

Engine by Starling is transforming the banking landscape with our cutting-edge core banking software. Originally developed to power Starling, our cloud-native SaaS platform is now enabling banks and financial institutions globally to modernize operations and deliver exceptional digital banking experiences. 

We are headquartered in London with offices in Dublin, Sydney and Dubai. We've recently launched in North America where we are establishing an East Coast HQ, as well as our presence in Canada. 

This role will ideally be based in the New York metropolitan area, our preference is that you're located within a commutable distance. Other East Coast locations will be considered and the role will involve national and international travel.

About the role

We are seeking an entrepreneurial and versatile leader who can help shape and drive Engine’s product plan for entry to the U.S. market. You will play a vital role in shaping Engine’s North American growth, contributing to growing the list of potential clients in the region as well as working closely with Product Management and Engineering to help shape Engine’s product roadmap to support these clients.

The Client Solutions & Product Director will operate as part of the NA leadership team, working closely with our President (North America), and Engine’s global Client Solutions leadership. The individual will help tailor our solution for the U.S. (priority) and Canadian markets and lead client programmes from discovery through to build and the launch of new banks, underpinned by Engine. 

The role provides a unique opportunity to be a very early hire in the region and work across a number of phases of Engine’s client lifecycle: business development, client discovery and client implementation. You will develop strong relationships with our clients and implementation partners in North America and beyond.

We’re looking for a versatile, adaptable individual, who enjoys the challenge of a varied and collaborative role, with a strong product mindset. You’ll enjoy problem solving, getting to the detail, helping new clients launch successful new and modern propositions and businesses, and supporting our clients throughout their transformation journeys. 

What you'll get to do

General Management and the day to day:

• Operate as a key part of the NA leadership team and contribute to the success of establishing Engine in the US and Canadian markets with a compelling product and platform.
• Maintain a global mindset, both learning from the global product team and contributing findings to the global product roadmap for the benefit of all regions. 
• Build strong relationships both internally and within client and partner organisations, from establishing initial client relationships through to implementation
• Stay abreast of current product developments and innovations globally and apply to the North American market
• Help to grow our North American Client Solutions team
• You will be joining a fast growing team that works globally, and you should expect international travel.
• As a company, everyone is expected to roll up their sleeves to help deliver great outcomes for our clients, we’re a small team and everyone is involved in the ‘doing’.
• Our teams tend to be hands-on and work in an Agile way, but with the flexibility to adapt to different methodologies depending on the specific client implementation. 
• We are an engineering led company and we’re looking for someone who will be excited by the potential for Engine’s technology to transform banking in different markets around the world. 

Client Discovery & Delivery:

• Engage prospects and clients for market feedback on product priorities and needs; Collaborate closely with our Compliance head to deliver a compelling and compliant product for the NA market
• Collaborate with our product and engineering teams through the Discovery and Implementation phases to agree on product and platform requirements 
• As Engine grows in North America, lead implementation programmes, using your programme management and product knowledge to ensure successful implementations of the Engine platform.  
• Use your understanding of the Engine product and specific domain knowledge to present a clear and compelling solution to the client

Business Development:

• Support early stage conversations, client workshops and demos, helping to identify and qualify genuine opportunities and contribute to marketing activities and conferences in NA
• Drive strategic client opportunities including supporting commercial and contractual conversations, preparing for pitches, and other marketing activities like events and thought leadership. 
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with our implementation partners, driving collaborative business development activities and go-to-market strategies.

Your background

• You have a strong product mindset and have worked in client facing roles in banking, consulting, or at a technology company (5+ years experience) 
• You have experience in the U.S. banking sector and development of solutions for the market
• You have experience leading the delivery of large-scale, complex programmes 
• You can rapidly understand client problems and present solutions in a structured and informative manner
• You are excited by the potential for Engine’s technology to transform banking in the U.S. and Canada

Your skills

• You are inquisitive, curious and able to understand client issues, needs and concerns while building trusted relationships
• You can  apply a structured approach to complex or ambiguous problems
• You have a technical aptitude and curiosity
• You are self-motivated and are able to work in a highly autonomous environment
• You are comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders, facilitating workshops and discovery sessions
• You can adapt your communication style to different stakeholders (senior clients, consulting organisations, engineering functions)
• You are flexible in your approach to delivery. Our teams tend to be hands on and work in an Agile way, without being wedded to any particular methodology

Interview process

Interviewing is a two way process and we want you to have the time and opportunity to get to know us, as much as we are getting to know you! Our interviews are conversational and we want to get the best from you, so come with questions and be curious. In general you can expect the below, following a chat with one of our Talent Team:

• Interview with someone from the Client Services team
• Interview with further members of the Client Services team from NA and/or UK
• Final interview with Engine’s North American President and another VP

Comprehensive benefit package.

You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we're always open to discussion. So, if you're excited about working with us, but aren’t sure if you're 100% there yet, get in touch anyway. We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.

Engine by Starling is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Engine by Starling 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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