Director of Controls

Overview

In this Director of Controls role, you will lead a first-line controls function within a large financial services business in London, shaping how controls are designed, tested and improved. You will embed controls across product, engineering, operations and risk teams and provide management with clear risk visibility. You’ll leverage data, telemetry, automation and AI tools to boost control effectiveness and drive sustainable remediation. This is a strategic, cross-functional role with a focus on real-time payments and critical infrastructure, offering measurable impact on risk posture and delivery quality.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a team responsible for the full controls lifecycle
• Develop a risk-based approach to control design, testing, monitoring and reporting
• Identify material weaknesses, agree remediation, and track actions to completion
• Collaborate with product, engineering, architecture, operations and risk to embed controls early in change and delivery
• Use data, telemetry, automation and AI tools to enhance visibility and effectiveness of controls
• Provide clear reporting and constructive challenge to senior stakeholders

Key requirements

• Experience owning and leading a first-line controls function at director level or equivalent
• Strong understanding of technology and operational controls with practical design, testing, monitoring and remediation experience
• Experience in payments or financial services and understanding of the three lines model
• Ability to build teams, influence senior stakeholders and translate complex risks into clear priorities
• Experience with real-time payment systems, critical infrastructure, GRC platforms or automation would be useful

• leadership
• stakeholder management
• clear communication
• technology and operational controls design
• testing and remediation
• data, telemetry and automation

Full job description from WhatJobs. Apply for this role →