Head of Finance Controls

**Job reference 328547**

**Head of Financial Controls & Governance**
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.

We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced **Head of Financial Controls & Governance** to lead and develop the team within our Group Finance function. This is a high-profile leadership role, ideal for someone with deep expertise in financial controls, governance, and risk, and a passion for driving excellence in complex, fast-paced environments.

**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’ll provide second-line assurance that feeds directly into the Annual Report and Accounts 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 second line assurance provided by Finance Controls and Governance
- 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

**Governance & Reporting**
- Provide regular updates to the Royal Mail Audit and Risk Committee and IDS Group ARC
- 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 Chartered or CIMA accountant with 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.
- Available only to perm employees

**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, pl