Description

We are currently seeking an experienced Head of Governance and Controls to take responsibility for strengthening the Group Finance and the Finance Shared Service Centre financial control environment, driving continuous improvement in finance processes, and ensuring robust governance. This role will establish and oversee the Group’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (ICOFR). They will manage the design and implementation of an effective control framework across all finance processes, while partnering with global finance teams to deliver effective finance processes that enhance efficiency, transparency, and risk management. In addition, this role is instrumental in driving operational excellence.

You will work closely with the Head of Financial Control, Head of Group Reporting and the Group Internal Audit function to identify and remediate control weaknesses, ensuring timely closure of audit actions and continuous improvement in control maturity. The role will monitor and report on control effectiveness and risk, maintain governance frameworks such as the Risk and Control Matrix, oversee FSSC controls and support both internal and external control reviews.

You will also help shape finance performance through the development of KPIs and dashboards, ensure financial control policies remain up to date, and support the simplification of the close and reporting cycle alongside senior finance leaders. Driving cultural change, you will champion stronger controls, innovation and more efficient ways of working across the finance function.

Skills

Candidates will need to be qualified accountants with proven experience leading or implementing an Internal Control Over Financial Reporting framework. You will bring significant experience across governance, risk management and internal controls, ideally gained within a regulated, listed environment.

Candidates must be comfortable using reporting and analytics tools such as Power BI or Tableau. Process improvement experience will be seen as a significant advantage. Candidates will need to be able to translate complex financial and control concepts into clear, concise messages for senior leaders and non-finance stakeholders, combining technical credibility with a pragmatic, commercial approach.

Apply

To apply for this Head of Governance and Controls role, please use the apply button.

Please note that due to the expected volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to those candidates whose experience matches the requirements of our client. We are sorry, but if you have not heard from us within the next ten days, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Walker Hamill has been a specialist finance and strategy recruiter for over 35 years. We have an extensive client group, including major multinational listed organisations, private equity backed businesses and privately owned companies. We recruit across all sectors and have particularly strong client relationships in media, retail, pharma/biotech, technology, property/real estate, leisure and business services. Headquartered in London, we have additional offices in continental Europe. For more information, please see the Walker Hamill website.