Director of 1st Line Controls Testing

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we\’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Director of 1st Line Controls Testing

Main Purpose of role:
The newly created Vocalink Control Office function is seeking a Director of 1st Line Control Testing to lead the design, execution, and continuous improvement of control testing activities across technology, information security, and operational domains within Vocalink Limited, a Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) company that enables the payments of 90% of salaries, 70% of utility bills, most ATM transactions and every cheque cleared in the UK.

This role will play a critical part in embedding a robust control environment by ensuring key controls are effectively designed and operating as intended, and by driving a culture of proactive risk management and assurance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Strategy: Lead and manage the 1st Line Control Testing team (Managers and Senior Analysts), ensuring delivery of high-quality, risk-based testing across technology, cyber security, and operational processes.
• Support the Head of Control Testing and Certification Assurance in the development and maintenance of the annual control testing plan aligned to Vocalink\’s risk profile, regulatory requirements, and strategic priorities.
• Supporting and deputising for the Head of Control Testing and Certification Assurance in the discharge of their responsibilities, including performance management and mentoring/coaching of team members as required
• Provide strategic input into the evolution of the control library, control testing framework, methodologies, and tooling.
• Execution & Oversight: Oversee periodic testing of key controls and non-key controls in line with the Control Testing Methodology, to evaluate compliance with internal policies, standards, processes, customer, legal, and regulatory requirements etc.
• Review control testing workpapers in line with the Control Testing methodology including review of test procedures, test performance, outcome, gaps identified etc.
• Ensure timely identification, documentation, and escalation of control deficiencies and emerging risks.
• Partner with control owners to validate remediation actions and track sustainable resolution of issues.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with 1st Line teams (including Technology, Security, Operations, Risk etc.) 2nd Line Risk and Compliance and Internal Audit teams to promote transparency and collaboration.
• Contribute to relevant reporting to senior stakeholders, specifically, consolidating, reviewing and reporting key Control Testing information to appropriate governance forums, including thematic reviews, dashboards, and trend analysis.
• Act as a trusted advisor on control effectiveness and risk mitigation strategies.
• Governance & Continuous Improvement: Support the development of control testing standards and procedures in alignment with industry best practices and regulatory expectations.
• Contribute to the maturity of the 3 Lines of Defence model across Vocalink. Champion continuous improvement, automation, and innovation in control testing practices and proactive risk management across the 3 Lines of Defence.
• Stay abreast of emerging threats, regulatory developments, and industry best practices with focus on cyber and technology risk.

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise (technical / role specific):

• Proven experience in leading control testing or assurance functions within technology, cyber security, or operations in a regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of control frameworks and standards (e.g., CRI, NIST, ISO 27001, COBIT, PCI DSS).
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex environments and identify control gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Experience managing teams and delivering results in a fast-paced, high-impact setting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Professional certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CRISC, or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Strong Investigative and analytical experience (e.g. enquiry, scanning, analysis, interviewing, testing), problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Skills & Attributes:

• Extensive knowledge of IT general controls across platforms such as UNIX, HP Nonstop, and Windows.
• Familiarity with software development lifecycle (SDLC), DevOps, and cloud technologies.
• Experience in delivering presentations and engaging with senior leadership at the Executive level and above.
• Proficient with data analytics, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, ACL or similar control testing tool.
• Sound understanding of the Standards for Professional Practice of Internal Audit of the Institute of Internal Auditors, auditing procedures and techniques.
• Intellectually curious, proactive, and committed to continuous learning.
• Ability to prioritise and plan workload based on Business needs and outcome and remain calm and focused when working under pressure.
• Ability to self-start, problem-solve and motivate/lead other team members
• Bachelor\’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber Security, or related field.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard\’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard\’s guidelines.