Financial Controls Lead (Line 1B) – 12 months FTC in London

This is a high-impact, senior-level role responsible for establishing a Line 1B financial controls capability from the ground up within a leading General Insurer and Lloyd's Syndicate/MGA. The role combines framework design, implementation and ongoing oversight, with responsibility for building a robust control environment and enhancing risk and control monitoring across Finance. You will focus on the integrity of data flowing from Policy Administration (PA) systems into the General Ledger, ensuring completeness, accuracy and timeliness of premium, claims and related financial data. In parallel, you will work closely with existing controls, risk and audit functions across the organisation to strengthen the overall control environment, support audit activity and promote a more proactive risk-aware culture. This is a delivery-focused leadership role suited to an experienced professional who thrives in building structure, influencing stakeholders and embedding sustainable control frameworks in complex, data-driven environments.

Responsibilities

• Controls Design & Implementation
  • Design and implement a Line 1B controls framework covering end-to-end data flows from PA systems through sub-ledgers into the General Ledger.
  • Identify key risk points across operational and financial reporting processes, including premium, claims and transactional data flows.
  • Establish standardised control documentation, including control definitions, risk mappings and ownership.
  • Embed controls into business processes with clear accountability and practical execution.
• Controls Self-Assessment & Oversight (Finance)
  • Support Finance teams in developing and embedding a robust controls self-assessment (CSA) framework, including scope, methodology and documentation standards.
  • Define clear expectations of control execution and evidencing, ensuring outputs are consistent, proportionate and audit-ready.
  • Review and challenge the completeness and quality of control self-assessments, focusing on key risk areas and material processes.
  • Drive consistency in how controls are performed, evidenced and assessed across Finance.
  • Use CSA outputs to identify risk themes, control weaknesses and areas requiring improvement.
• Risk & Control Monitoring (Finance)
  • Enhance ongoing monitoring of key financial reporting controls across Finance, ensuring visibility of control effectiveness and emerging risks.
  • Develop reporting to track control performance, exceptions and key risk indicators.
  • Support the evolution towards continuous, risk-based monitoring rather than periodic, reactive assessment.
  • Ensure control monitoring aligns with broader risk management frameworks and governance expectations.
• Issue Identification & Remediation
  • Identify control gaps, weaknesses and inefficiencies across processes, systems and data flows.
  • Maintain a structured issue and remediation log with clear ownership, prioritisation and timelines.
  • Challenge and track remediation actions to ensure sustainable resolution rather than short-term fixes.
  • Provide insight into recurring issues and systemic control weaknesses.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
  • Partner closely with Finance, Operations and IT to understand system flows, dependencies and operational realities.
  • Work collaboratively with existing Line 1B, Risk, Compliance and Audit teams to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.
  • Act as a key interface between Finance and assurance functions, supporting a coordinated approach to controls and risk management.
• Audit Support & Risk Awareness
  • Support internal and external audit activity, including walkthroughs, provision of evidence and coordination of responses to findings.
  • Improve audit readiness across Finance by strengthening documentation, evidencing practices and control clarity.
  • Promote a strong control culture by raising awareness of key risks, control expectations and best practice.
  • Support Finance teams in understanding their responsibilities within the control framework.
• Reporting & Governance
  • Deliver clear, concise reporting to senior leadership on control effectiveness, key risks and remediation progress.
  • Support governance forums with practical, risk-based insights and recommendations.
  • Ensure alignment with three lines of defence principles and broader enterprise risk management frameworks.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of insurance finance operations within General Insurance and/or the Lloyd's market.
• Hands-on experience with General Ledger control, including reconciliations and sub-ledger integrity.
• Familiarity with data flows from Policy Administration (PA) systems into financial reporting environments.
• Proven track record of designing, implementing or significantly enhancing a controls framework.
• Experience supporting Finance teams in control execution, documentation or self-assessment processes.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting risks, including completeness, accuracy and timeliness.
• Ability to design pragmatic controls in complex, system-driven environments.
• Experience enhancing control monitoring and driving consistency across Finance.
• Experience operating in a Line 1B or similar business controls role.
• Background in Internal Audit or External Audit within insurance or financial services.
• Exposure to Lloyd's market structures and regulatory frameworks.
• Credible, self-starting professional comfortable operating with limited direction.
• Strong delivery focus, with the ability to move from design to implementation.
• Confident influencing stakeholders across all levels.
• Structured, pragmatic and focused on sustainable outcomes.
• Committed to strengthening control culture and risk awareness across the business.

Equal Opportunities

Chaucer is committed to diversity, actively values difference and respects people regardless of the protected characteristics which are outlined in the Equality Act 2010 (UK legislation) and the Equal Treatment Directive 2006 (EU legislation). We are open to considering flexible working arrangements for all roles and encourage you to outline your needs during the interview process.