Head of Risk & Controls in England

We are looking for a Head of Risk & Controls to join our finance team. This is a new role with responsibility for oversight of a governance, risk and controls framework, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and leading the development of risk and compliance across the organisation. The Head of Risk & Controls is a senior role for someone who wants to shape risk, controls and compliance strategy, monitoring regulatory changes and ensuring operational compliance. The role would build a culture of risk awareness across the organisation, leading, managing and developing a risk and controls function. This is a broad and hands-on role which spans strategic, operational and regulatory responsibilities.

What you will be doing:

• Collaborate with senior management and stakeholders across the business to develop and implement comprehensive internal control policies and procedures.
• Horizon Scanning: Awareness of emerging regulatory risks and provision of strategic recommendations to the business.
• Define and maintain risk and control frameworks policies and tools as well as governance standards and reporting mechanisms.
• Provide oversight, advice and challenge on principal risks across the business, ensuring that the risk and controls management approach is aligned with regulatory expectations as well as wider business priorities.
• Plan and execute internal control testing procedures to assess the effectiveness of existing controls.
• Coordinate oversight and implementation of IT general controls.
• Monitor control deficiencies and deviations and conduct remediation activities as required.
• Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and industry standards to ensure compliance in internal control requirements.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors to facilitate audit engagements.
• Prepare audit documentation and respond to audit enquiries and findings.
• Implement process improvements and automation initiatives to streamline control activities.
• Support with coordination and management of the annual insurance renewal programme.
• Supervision and coordination of junior team members.

What we need from you:

• Proven expertise in designing and implementing enterprise risk frameworks.
• Experience of regulatory engagement and internal control frameworks.
• Strong technical knowledge of governance, risk and controls frameworks.
• Experience setting direction and priorities for risk management and regulatory compliance aligned with business goals.
• Understanding of FPP procedures and requirements would be advantageous.
• Ability to implement measures in a considered and measured way with an understanding of wider business priorities alongside regulatory requirements.

Person Profile:

• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to operate effectively at all levels.
• Resilient and adaptable with a pragmatic approach to problem solving.
• Experience of internal control software/tools is preferred.
• Based in London office at least 3 days a week.
• Flexibility to travel occasionally, as needed.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to start imminently or at relatively short notice and to hit the ground running.

Why work for Waterstones:

Waterstones is the cornerstone of bookselling across the UK and Ireland. Joining Waterstones means being an active part in a success story that began in 1982, and books are as popular now as the day we started. Trading across the UK, Ireland and Europe, we are present in over 290 shopping locations, where Waterstones continues to thrive, each year actively pursuing a programme of new bookshop openings. Online at Waterstones.com, we meanwhile mirror the essence of our bookshops, further showcasing the unique enthusiasm and knowledge of our booksellers. If you have the relevant essential experience and you are interested, we would love to hear from you.