Head of Governance and Operations Control

Job Title: Head of Governance and Operations Control

**Job Type**: Permanent Full Time

Working location: London/ Peterborough (hybrid working option - 3 days a week office based)

We have an amazing opportunity for an experienced Head of Finance Governance and Operations Control to join our team. You will report into the Deputy CFO. You will be part of a friendly, dedicated and passionate finance team. Team work and collaboration is at the heart of what we are about. We celebrate and embrace diversity and have an inclusive culture.

So, what will this role involve?
- Lead on, and advance the Finance Control and Governance arenas, as covers the management of risk, internal controls and assurance activities.
- Complete the implementation of Blackline for operational matching capability globally as well as devising and implementing strategies for other tools that drive improvements in internal controls.
- Reinvent assurance reviews and frameworks to improve levels of substantiations globally and drive improvements in the external audit around substantiation testing of key balances.
- Advance the internal control environment through review of existing policies and procedures, as well as the implementation of new policies as identified to strengthen the internal control environment.
- Longer term strategy and road map planning in the governance and internal control environment which also addresses the introduction of UK SOX.
- Implement education and training to ensure all Finance employees have adequate awareness and understanding of internal control and governance standards.
- Proactive and regular communication across the finance community, working with peers to establish and maintain governance and controls.
- The job holder will report to the Deputy CFO, and provide direction to all Governance and Control teams based in the UK and globally.

Technical Activities
- Continual review, maintenance and update of risks, issues, controls and process documentation across the finance environment, including finance systems.
- Conduct regular effectiveness testing of existing policies, publish findings and recommendations, implementing necessary corrective action.
- Identify internal control training requirements for all Finance teams and provide/arrange requisite controls training
- Continue to strive for efficiency in processes and outputs, challenging peers for opportunities and actively promoting the changes required
- Meetings with customers and key business partners to review performance and agree upcoming priorities
- Participate in year-end audit activities from an assurance and controls perspective, including liaison with external audit firms to ensure.
- Monitor the provision of services between Finance Shared Service Centres (FSSC) and the Geo Finance Decision Support teams ensuring quality and timeliness.
- Pursue and support any changes required to optimise the output of Finance Shared Service Centre (FSSC)

Relationship Management
- Establish framework and drive regularly scheduled governance meetings across Finance and wider Group
- Support liaison between the Geo Finance, governance and control support globally and the FSSC to ensure maximum value for Travelex
- Evaluate impacts of potential control deficiencies and work with Geo Finance and FSSC leads and managers to ensure timely resolution
- Work closely with Internal Audit to ensure consistency with plans, approach and outcomes including the follow up and closure of issues.
- Develop sound professional working relationships with Finance colleagues, FSSC teams, auditors and management, building their confidence and acquiring an understanding of the business

Communication
- Responsible for pro-active and regular communication with other areas of Finance and the business in relation to operations and controls in Finance and the GDC
- Actively communicate and seek feedback from colleagues and customers
- Play a participative part in Team Briefs
- Be proactive in the provision of feedback and the delivery of ideas to develop and improve solutions relating to Travelex Finance
- Ensure feedback to line manager outlining general activities of role and ‘how we are doing’

General
- Provide leadership and direction to the Governance and Control teams, setting both the tactical and strategic agendas
- Responsible for pro-active and regular communication with other areas of Finance and the business in relation to operations and controls in Finance and the GDC
- Be proactive in the provision of feedback and the delivery of ideas to develop and improve solutions relating to Travelex Finance
- Undertakes any necessary training associated with the duties of the post and participates in training and development procedures
- Maintains confidentiality and observes data protection guidelines
- Carries out any other reasonable duties commensurate with their capability

Essential
- Degree level educated and membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IIA, AC