Controls Testing Lead

Technology Controls Testing Lead required for market-leading financial services firm. The Technology Testing Lead is a key member of the Technology Risk & Control team and will play a key role in helping improve the Technology division improve its management of risk and controls.

The role will involve developing and implementing the team’s approach to the testing of controls and quality control across the Technology division. This will include coordinating the activities of all of the Testing Specialists and helping with their development. It will also include reporting on Testing activity and results to stakeholders and managing relationships within Technology and with other divisions including Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance.

Essential Function/major duties and responsibilities of the job

Operational

Testing Delivery:

• Manage the consistent delivery of the testing plan, including coaching and training testing team members.
• Support the close-out and reporting of testing results.
• Track and report on testing progress, testing control themes and remediation progress.
• Manage the escalation of any testing concerns.

Monthly Reporting

• Oversee the ongoing monthly management reporting of audit and risk issues and actions
• Report on the results of any trends or themes

Leadership

• Demonstrate strategic mindset and broad perspective. Able to see the big-picture, and link individual activities to the wider landscape.
• Be a catalyst for change, driving and cultivating innovative. Challenge the status quo to drive out of the box’ thinking to solve complex problems.
• Establish positive working relationships with senior stakeholders across the business.
• Manage ambiguity, operating effectively and decisively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
• Coach and guide more junior members of the team.

Experience/essential and desired for successful job performance

• Experience of designing, implementing and delivering controls assurance testing ideally across more than 1 line of defence.
• Minimum of 5 years or more of experience in one of more of the following:
  • Risk management
  • Internal Audit
  • Compliance
  • Knowledge of Financial Services or another highly regulated industry sector is essential.
  • Knowledge of Technology delivery within Financial Services, and able to demonstrate an understanding of key challenges and risks which must be mitigated and managed to deliver successfully.

Qualifications/certifications

• Qualifications in any of the following specialisms would be beneficial but not mandatory:
  • Risk Management
  • Internal Audit
  • Compliance
  • Project Management
  • Technology process governance

Knowledge, skills and abilities/competencies required for successful job performance

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills to build effective working relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders, with the ability to adapt and flex communication style to suit the audience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills that are tailored to be effective and meaningful at all levels of audience, including the ability to communicate complex problems in an easy-to-understand manner. A formal communication style with the regulators is key.
• Highly proficient IT skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF
• Acute business acumen and understanding of organizational issues and challenges
• Relevant experience gained within Financial services, banking or similar environments beneficial
• Understanding of Executive level and regulatory requirements and anticipating where possible.

IND123

We seek individuals from a diverse talent pool and encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to apply to our vacancies. Our commitment to fair recruitment processes means that we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, regardless of their lived experience or personal characteristics. We also invite applicants who meet most of the listed requirements, even if not all, to apply. If you require any adjustments to the application process, please let us know.

Barclay Simpson acts as an Employment Agency for permanent positions and an Employment Business for temporary/contract engagements.