At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the IT Controls Testing Manager in ensuring robust technology controls and crafting testing plans.
- Company: Join St. James's Place, an inclusive employer committed to diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing IT controls and driving continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in controls testing and familiarity with IT control frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
This job is with St. James's Place, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
About the role: Become a pivotal part of our team at St. James's Place Management Services as an IT Controls Testing Specialist in Cirencester, UK. This role offers you the chance to work closely with our IT Controls Testing Manager to ensure our technology controls are robust and effective. You'll play a key role in crafting our annual testing plans and tracking progress, helping us maintain our world-class standards.
What you'll be doing:
- Supporting the IT Controls Testing Manager in crafting and reporting on the annual controls testing plan.
- Completing controls testing efficiently, including Technology Material Controls, Key Controls, and other IT owned Controls.
- Maintaining test plans, results, and action plans.
- Coordinating control attestations as required.
- Proposing and putting into action methods to improve controls testing efficiency.
- Providing proactive advice to control owners and projects.
- Tracking and reporting progress with audit actions and control remediation.
- Crafting training and mentorship materials to increase understanding within the technology community.
About you: You are an ambitious and driven controls testing professional with a proven track record of assessing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of IT controls. You bring a naturally inquisitive mindset, coupled with exceptional attention to detail, enabling you to identify risks, challenge assumptions, and deliver high-quality assurance outcomes. You excel at building strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels and are confident engaging with subject matter experts to understand complex processes, gather evidence, and provide constructive challenge where required. Your collaborative approach allows you to work effectively across teams, influencing positive outcomes whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Beyond technical expertise, you are passionate about improving the way things are done. You actively seek opportunities to enhance testing methodologies, streamline processes, and introduce new ideas that strengthen the overall control environment. Adaptable, proactive, and solutions-focused, you thrive in collaborative teams where knowledge sharing, development, and continuous learning are encouraged. Most importantly, you bring the curiosity, professional judgement, and desire to learn that are essential for success in a fast-paced controls testing environment. Whether you are reviewing a control framework, preparing for stakeholder interviews, or identifying opportunities for improvement, you consistently demonstrate a commitment to delivering robust and insightful assurance activities.
Essential Criteria:
- Experience providing proactive controls testing advice to Technology/IT teams.
- Familiarity with IT control frameworks and standards (e.g., ISO27001, NIST, COBIT).
- Understanding of S.29 Corporate Code of Governance Act (Material Controls).
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience in the financial services sector.
- Awareness of automation techniques to improve controls frameworks and testing efficiency.
IT Controls Testing Specialist employer: St. James's Place
St. James’s Place is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in Cirencester, this hybrid role as a Data Privacy Manager not only provides competitive benefits such as parental leave and health insurance but also fosters an environment where employees can thrive through collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders in the regulated financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Controls Testing Specialist
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what St. James's Place values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges St. James's Place might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at St. James's Place!
✨Direct Apply to St. James's Place
Let's not forget to apply directly through the St. James's Place website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Controls Testing Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at St. James's Place.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at St. James's Place. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at St. James's Place
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
