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- Tasks: Lead financial controls and governance, advising the Board and driving strategic initiatives.
- Company: Join one of the UK's most iconic organisations during a transformative journey.
- Benefits: Negotiable salary, 30 days holiday, healthcare, car allowance, and a generous bonus.
- Other info: Inclusive recruitment process with support for diverse candidates and Forces family friendly.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while leading a dynamic team in a hybrid role.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with strong leadership and financial governance expertise.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid - Farringdon, London (3 days in the office)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Reporting to: Director of Group Finance
Salary: Negotiable + Benefits - 30 days + public holidays, car allowance, full family healthcare, 35% bonus and a company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates.
Join one of the UK's most iconic organisations at a pivotal moment in its transformation journey. Our Finance team is at the heart of strategic decision-making, driving growth and shaping the future of our business. From forecasting and planning to governance and controls, this is a place where finance professionals make a real impact.
About the Role
As Head of Financial Controls & Governance, you’ll lead the strategic agenda for financial control, risk, and assurance across IDS Group and Royal Mail UK. You will set the strategic direction for the financial controls environment, provide second-line assurance and advise the Board on financial control and governance matters. You’ll lead a team of five, providing coaching, development, and direction, while building strong relationships across the business and with external partners. This is a hybrid role, with presence required at our Farringdon office.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Advisory
- Set the strategic direction for the financial controls environment and second line assurance team
- Advise the Board and Executive teams on financial reporting risk and control-related decision-making
- Collaborate with Internal Audit and Risk to develop assurance requirements for non-financial material risks
- Controls & Assurance
- Deliver a comprehensive, risk-based FC&G annual plan, including controls testing, training, remediation tracking, and reporting
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance control effectiveness and efficiency
- Oversee the ICFR quality assurance process and AuditBoard system application
- Governance & Reporting
- Provide regular reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee on the design and effectiveness of controls.
- Stay current with UK Corporate Governance Code, regulatory developments, and industry standards
- Produce high-quality reports identifying financial reporting risks and recommending pragmatic solutions
- Stakeholder & External Engagement
- Build trusted relationships with Executive Directors, senior leaders, and external auditors
- Liaise with the GLS Head of Financial Control to align group-wide strategies
- Manage co-source partners and oversee the ICFR test plan
- Leverage automation tools (e.g. GRC systems, data analytics, continuous auditing) to optimise compliance
- Team Leadership
- Lead and develop the FC&G team, including recruitment, training, and succession planning
- Foster a high-performance culture through visible leadership and mentoring
About You
You’re a confident and strategic leader with deep technical expertise and a passion for financial governance. You thrive in complex and evolving environments and bring a collaborative, solutions-focused mindset.
What You'll Bring
- Technical Expertise
- Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA) with external or internal audit experience and extensive ICFR/SOx implementation experience
- In-depth knowledge of corporate governance, SOx best practices, Wates principles, and financial control frameworks
- Proven experience in controls implementation, remediation, and process simplification
- Leadership & Influence
- Strong track record of operating at Board and Executive level
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills
- Proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams
- Adaptable, decisive, and able to challenge accepted thinking
- Collaborative team player with a "can-do" attitude and enthusiasm for progression
Extra Benefits
- Family friendly support - enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave
- Discounts and offers - there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills.
- Supportive and generous company sick pay
- Your Wellbeing - you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life. From your physical and mental health to financial and social support and advice. It’s free, and it’s for everyone.
Next Steps
The next stage of the selection process will be a face to face/virtual interview consisting of competency based and role specific questions. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to support you during the hiring process, please discuss these with your recruiter when contacted. We are Forces family friendly and a Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
Closing Date: Thursday 5th March 2026. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.
Head of Finance Controls & Governance 1 employer: Royal Mail Group
Contact Detail:
Royal Mail Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance Controls & Governance 1
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might know someone at the company you're eyeing. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company's financial governance practices. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their challenges and can bring solutions to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams or improved financial controls in the past. This will help you stand out as a strategic leader they want on board.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance Controls & Governance 1
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial controls and governance. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of Finance Controls & Governance, leadership is key. Use your application to demonstrate your experience in leading teams and driving strategic initiatives. We love seeing examples of how you've developed high-performing teams in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is crucial. Keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still reflecting your personality.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail Group
✨Know Your Financial Governance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of corporate governance, SOx best practices, and financial control frameworks. Be ready to discuss how these principles apply to the role and how you've implemented them in past positions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and influencing stakeholders at a senior level. Think about specific situations where you’ve fostered a high-performance culture or mentored team members.
✨Be Ready for Competency Questions
Expect competency-based questions that assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s strategic direction and how the finance team contributes to it. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.