Internal Controls Manager in Birmingham

General

Job Title: Internal Controls Manager

Location: Flexible

Division: Risk & Compliance: Risk

Reports To: Head of Controls Assurance

Key Relationships

• Head of Controls Assurance
• Controls Governance Manager
• Risk & Governance Leads in Business Areas
• Risk Owners
• Compliance
• Operational Risk
• Outsourced Provider of “Controls Testing Services”

Job Summary

We are establishing a new Internal Controls Function to strengthen first-line accountability and provide independent second-line assurance over key financial, operational and regulatory controls.

The Controls Business Partner will play a critical role in supporting business areas in their interaction with the outsourced Controls Testing Services provider. The role focuses on ensuring that business areas are effectively engaged in the controls testing process, that high-quality inputs are provided, and that insights from testing are translated into tangible control improvements.

This role is central to embedding a strong controls culture across the organisation, acting as a key interface between the business, the Internal Controls Function, and the outsourced provider.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Engagement & Liaison

• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned business areas (either Reporting, Accounting and Tax, Finance Change & Operations, Financial Performance, Investments, and Group Actuarial or Risk and Compliance, Strategy, Marketing & Distribution and People & Sustainability).
• Support business stakeholders in understanding their responsibilities within the controls testing lifecycle.
• Facilitate effective communication between business areas and the outsourced testing provider.

2. Support for Controls Testing and Compliance Monitoring Activities

• Maintain the controls library in the risk management system, working with other colleagues in the Risk Function to ensure control records are maintained and updated, including following feedback from business stakeholders.
• Coordinate and secure required inputs from business areas for controls testing, including documentation, walkthroughs and evidence.
• Ensure timely and accurate responses to requests from the outsourced provider.
• Track progress of testing activities across assigned business areas and upscale delays or issues as required.

3. Controls Advisory Support

• Provide practical guidance to business areas on strengthening control design and operation.
• Translate findings and insights from testing into actionable recommendations.
• Support business areas in embedding sustainable remediation actions.

4. Quality Assurance Support

• Support the review of testing performed by the outsourced provider, focusing on completeness, accuracy and consistency.
• Highlight potential quality concerns and escalated to the Controls Governance Manager.
• Assist in thematic reviews and identification of recurring control issues.

5. Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Build strong, trusted relationships with key stakeholders across assigned business areas.
• Act as a credible second-line partner, balancing support with appropriate challenge.
• Promote awareness of controls best practice and regulatory expectations.

6. Support for Reporting & Insights

• Contribute to the development of reporting on control effectiveness, issues and remediation progress.
• Provide insights on themes, trends and emerging risks within assigned business areas.
• Support preparation of materials for governance forums where required.

7. Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve controls processes, documentation and testing readiness within business areas.
• Support initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of the Internal Controls Function.
• Promote consistency in control documentation and practices across the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Understanding of internal control frameworks, risk management and assurance practices.
• Experience in insurance, financial services, or a similarly regulated environment.
• Familiarity with regulatory expectations (e.g. PRA/FCA, Solvency II or equivalent) is advantageous.

Stakeholder Management

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively across business functions.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders.

Communication Skills

• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate technical controls concepts into practical business language.

Attention to Detail

• High level of attention to detail in reviewing documentation and evidence.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Collaboration

• Team player with the ability to work collaboratively across functions.
• Willingness to support colleagues and contribute to team objectives.

Aptitude & Disposition

• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Comfortable working in a developing function with evolving processes.
• Committed to continuous improvement and learning.
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership.

Salary for this role will be tailored to the successful individual’s location and experience. The expected compensation range for this position is to $119,000 per year plus discretionary annual bonus. You will be able to discuss your salary expectations should you be contacted about this role.

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