Risk & Controls Manager

Our Mission At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The VX4, our eVTOL (electric, vertical, take-off and landing), ‘zero emissions’ aircraft will set a new safety standard for how we will navigate the sky. We won’t realise our mission following the same legacy processes and traditions our predecessors followed, instead, we want to ‘redefine’ aerospace best practices. We are growing quickly from a prototype business to a scaling SME, and the next few years will be critical to our success and delivering on our ambitious goals of having the VX4 in service by 2030.

What to expect As a Risk and Controls Manager, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of financial reporting and enhancing operational resilience across the organization. This position sits within our Finance team and will take the lead on the Vertical SOX compliance program, overseeing the design, documentation, testing, and remediation of internal controls in alignment with regulatory standards and best practices. You will be responsible for driving the internal controls strategy, conducting risk assessments, and continuously improving the controls framework to ensure efficiency, compliance, and risk mitigation.

What you’ll do:

• Manage the Vertical SOX compliance program, including the design, documentation, testing, and remediation of internal controls over financial reporting.
• Ensure that Vertical control activities comply with SOX requirements, identifying and addressing gaps as required.
• Develop and maintain the Vertical SOX controls library, updating it as processes change or as new risks emerge.
• Collaborate with other teams to provide guidance and ensure timely identification and remediation of control deficiencies.

Internal Control Strategy and Continuous Improvement:

• Lead the development and execution of the Vertical internal controls strategy, focusing on operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and compliance.
• Identify and implement process improvements opportunities within the controls framework to streamline compliance and enhance effectiveness.

Risk Assessment and Control Design:

• Conduct periodic risk assessments to identify high-risk areas and align control activities as the Vertical risk profile evolves.
• Collaborate with process owners to design and enhance controls, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulatory expectations.
• Provide guidance on control design for new processes, products, and systems, ensuring that appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place.

Audit Coordination and Support:

• Act as the primary point of contact regarding SOX and internal control matters.
• Coordinate the annual SOX testing and audit process, including managing audit requests, providing required documentation, and addressing audit findings.
• Review audit results and recommendations, driving prompt resolution of identified issues and supporting cross-functional improvement activities.

Enterprise Risk Management:

• Oversee the annual review of top Vertical risks, coordinate updates to mitigation plans, and drive proactive risk assessment to maintain a resilient risk management framework.
• Facilitate the quarterly Vertical risk management forum, ensuring a mission first focus and drive towards the identification and management of risk by senior stakeholders.

What you’ll bring:

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA, or equivalent) with at least 3 years’ post-qualification experience.
• 5+ years of experience in SOX compliance, internal controls, risk management, or internal audit.
• Strong understanding of internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO) and SOX 404 requirements.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Exceptional project management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

What can you expect from us? We’re on a mission. Where others see limits, we see opportunity, and we work at pace. Working at Vertical isn’t your average role but for those seeking a challenge, a flexible, supportive organisation and an incredible team; working here is an opportunity to do the best work of your career. Our approach promotes ingenuity and courage, while our environment builds success through diligence in safety and being open in the way we work. The only way we’re going to assure the next chapter of aviation history is by working as a team, relentlessly, towards our goal.

Our benefits: Our people matter - we’re not going anywhere without them. Which is why our company benefits go beyond the essentials. 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday, 5 extra days per year to buy (or sell), 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership, Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits, Award-winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand), Company Share Scheme - open to every Vertical employee, Company Pension Scheme - 5% and we match it, Breakfast on us, every day.

We may just be the hardest job you’ve ever had, but we’re confident it will be the most rewarding. Join the team today and help us shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Disclaimer Statement: We encourage you to apply even if you may not have all the experience listed in the advert. We recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to providing opportunities that create an environment of growth, diversity, and inclusion for everyone. As part of our desire to review and make our processes fair, we may ask you questions related to these aspects during the application process. For more information on how we will use your data, see our Legal section.