At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead automation of control testing and monitoring across IT and business environments.
- Company: Join Thames Water, a leader in the water utility sector with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, pension scheme, and health benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by modernising control testing through automation and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in control testing automation and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 € per year.
As a Control Testing Automation & Monitoring Lead, you will be responsible for designing and delivering automated control testing and monitoring solutions across IT, OT, and business environments at Thames Water. Working closely with the Control Testing & Assurance Manager, digital teams, and a wide range of business stakeholders, you will identify opportunities to automate control testing and implement continuous monitoring solutions that support the organisation’s risk and compliance objectives. This role plays a key part in modernising the control testing programme by introducing automation, improving data collection processes, and enabling more efficient monitoring of control effectiveness. Combining strong automation expertise with a structured, risk‑based approach, you will help build a streamlined and scalable automated control testing environment that strengthens Thames Water’s security and assurance capabilities.
To be considered for this position, candidates must be eligible to obtain security clearance to a minimum of Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level.
What you’ll be doing as a Control Testing Automation & Monitoring Lead:
- Identify and assess opportunities to automate control testing across IT, OT, and business functions.
- Design, develop, and implement automation plans and workflows to support continuous monitoring of controls.
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate tooling and technologies for control testing automation.
- Collaborate with digital teams to establish reliable data acquisition and integration processes.
- Conduct regular reviews of automated testing outputs to identify and report control deficiencies.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation for automation workflows, processes, and exception handling.
- Engage with project teams, control owners, and key stakeholders to gather requirements and support automation initiatives.
- Ensure automation initiatives are delivered within expected timelines and aligned with programme objectives.
- Escalate issues, risks, or delays to the Control Testing & Assurance Manager and contribute to resolving challenges.
- Support the continuous improvement of the control testing programme through automation and innovation.
- Stay informed on relevant frameworks and best practices, including NIST CSF and CIS Controls, to enhance automation and monitoring capabilities.
What you should bring to the role:
- Experience in control testing automation, process automation, or related assurance activities within an enterprise environment.
- Strong understanding of risk management practices and control frameworks.
- Ability to measure, monitor, and report on control effectiveness using relevant metrics and data.
- Experience collaborating with both technical and business teams to deliver automation solutions.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
- Ability to work independently and deliver high‑quality outputs in a structured manner.
Technical experience and skills:
- Expertise in automation tools and scripting technologies such as Python, PowerShell, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platforms, or audit automation tools.
- Experience developing and implementing automation workflows related to control testing or assurance processes.
- Familiarity with IT environments, including IT infrastructure, operational technology (OT), and cloud platforms.
- Ability to implement monitoring mechanisms and analyse automated testing outputs to identify control weaknesses.
- Experience documenting automation processes, workflows, and exception management procedures.
Desirable qualifications and experience:
- Experience working in a regulated environment, the water utility sector, or large complex critical national infrastructure organisations.
- Familiarity with governance and control frameworks such as COBIT or COSO.
- Exposure to cybersecurity principles and domains such as vulnerability management and identity and access management.
- Experience using data analytics or dashboarding tools such as Power BI or Tableau to visualise and report automation outcomes.
Desirable technical skills and qualifications:
- Professional certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CRISC, or ISO 27001 Lead Auditor.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary between £65,000 and £80,000 per annum, depending on experience.
- Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
Control Testing Automation & Monitoring Lead – Reading, Berkshire employer: Recruit4Mum
Thames Water is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous annual leave and a robust pension scheme. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a diverse, inclusive work culture, this role provides the opportunity to lead innovative automation initiatives in a hybrid working environment, making a meaningful impact on the organisation's risk and compliance objectives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Control Testing Automation & Monitoring Lead – Reading, Berkshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to control testing automation. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a GitHub repository with examples of your automation projects. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Control Testing Automation & Monitoring Lead – Reading, Berkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Control Testing Automation & Monitoring Lead role. Highlight your experience in automation and risk management, and show how your skills align with what we're looking for at Thames Water.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your expertise in automation tools and scripting technologies like Python or PowerShell. We want to see how you can bring your technical know-how to the table and help us modernise our control testing programme.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your past experiences and achievements, especially those that relate to control testing and automation. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruit4Mum
✨Know Your Automation Tools
Make sure you’re well-versed in the automation tools and scripting technologies mentioned in the job description, like Python and PowerShell. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them to improve control testing processes.
✨Understand Risk Management
Brush up on risk management practices and control frameworks such as NIST CSF and CIS Controls. Being able to articulate how these frameworks apply to the role will show that you understand the bigger picture and can contribute to the organisation’s risk and compliance objectives.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that assess your analytical and problem-solving skills. Prepare examples of past projects where you identified opportunities for efficiency improvements through automation, and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since collaboration is key in this role, think of examples where you’ve successfully worked with both technical and business teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve explained complex concepts to non-technical audiences, as this will demonstrate your ability to bridge gaps between teams.
