Control Assurance Manager - M&G Life (12 month FTC)

Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions. Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.

The Controls Assurance Manager will report to the Head of Risk Reporting and Assurance (Life) within the Risk, Assurance & Remediation team which forms part of M&G’s Life division. The Controls Assurance team will provide first line assurance over the key business processes and controls operated within the Life division and oversight of control assurance provided by our material third parties. As this is a new first line risk service it is essential that the Controls Assurance Manager has experience in building and developing assurance methodologies and plans. This will involve working closely with the Head of Risk Reporting and Assurance, and senior leadership teams in M&G Life.

Key Responsibilities for this role:

• Using your assurance and risk knowledge and expertise to support the Head of Risk Reporting and Assurance to build, roll out and maintain industry standard controls assurance practices in line with M&G’s Operational Risk Framework to inform the overall risk profile of the Life business.
• Leading the planning, delivery and execution of the (internal) Life risk-based 1LOD assurance program, in order to provide senior management with ongoing comprehensive assurance over key business processes, and risks.
• This includes ensuring that assurance and controls testing results are documented consistently and to a high standard, communicating any associated observations and recommendations are fed back to relevant audiences for inclusion in risk profile.
• Leading the planning, delivery and execution of a risk-based 1LOD Supplier controls assurance program, in order to provide senior management with ongoing comprehensive assurance over key outsourced customer service processes.
• Working in collaboration with stakeholders across M&G’s three lines of defence, to support a robust controls environment both within Life and our material outsource suppliers.
• Using regulatory and industry knowledge, business understanding and expert judgement, to identify underlying issues and elevate issues, where appropriate.
• Maintaining proactive communication with senior management, providing regular updates on engagement progress and identified or potential issues.
• Work flexibly and building collaboratively constructive and supportive working relationships with teams across M&G plc and suppliers.
• Drive / lead projects and team improvement initiatives.
• Leading, supporting and coaching colleagues to ensure your team provides and maintains an excellent controls assurance SME service to all stakeholders. This will include line management of 1-2 risk analysts.

Key Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Significant experience of working in regulated financial services organisations, in a risk, assurance or audit role.
• The role is likely to appeal to someone with internal audit management, or risk assurance experience, looking to move into a first line of defence role.
• Recent experience of building and implementing assurance frameworks, methodologies and planning. (Essential)
• In-depth knowledge of industry standard controls reports (ISAE3403, AAF etc) (Advantageous)
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• Collaborative nature, with ability to work effectively with the colleagues in Risk, Operations and other key functions within M&G Life and across the Group;
• Pro-active approach to problem solving, understanding root causes, and driving continuous improvement
• Strong analytical mind and an eye for detail
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and team player;
• Working knowledge of life and pensions products, markets and competitors (Advantageous)

What we offer:

• As a savings and Investments firm we are proud to offer a valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions.
• We also offer Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services - to help give you real confidence to put your money to work.
• Enjoy 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy – to balance your work and personal commitments.
• Our market leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave - as supporting families is a core aspect of our inclusive culture.
• Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options - for peace of mind.

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks. M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions. If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at: careers@mandg.com