Control Tester

Pertemps Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Performance-based pay

Annual leave

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Control Tester to assist in executing cybersecurity control testing in line with defined procedures. You will develop test scripts, gather evidence, and collaborate with control owners to clarify objectives and enable smooth testing execution.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience in IT risk or cybersecurity testing, and the ability to document findings clearly. Hybrid working in Reading with competitive benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in IT audit, IT risk, or cybersecurity control testing within an enterprise environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the execution of cybersecurity control testing activities in accordance with defined procedures, templates, and standards.
• Support the development and localisation of test scripts tailored to specific control environments.
• Gather and document evidence to assess the design and operational effectiveness of cybersecurity controls.
• Collaborate with control owners and service owners to clarify control objectives and facilitate smooth testing execution.
• Maintain accurate documentation for each control assessment, including test plans, results, and supporting evidence.
• Produce clear and consistent reports detailing testing outcomes and observations.
• Escalate issues, control deficiencies, or delays to the Control Testing & Assurance Manager.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the control testing framework, methodologies, and documentation.
• Work with key business stakeholders to support the organisation's cybersecurity and compliance objectives.
• Support the wider cybersecurity assurance programme through structured testing and evidence-based analysis.

Skills

Threat Intelligence

Vulnerability Management

Security Testing

Security Architecture

Infrastructure Protection

Application Security

Identity and Access Management

Incident Investigation & Response

Cryptography

COBIT

COSO

Job description

What you’ll be doing as a Control Tester

• Assist in the execution of cybersecurity control testing activities in accordance with defined procedures, templates, and standards.
• Support the development and localisation of test scripts tailored to specific control environments.
• Gather and document evidence to assess the design and operational effectiveness of cybersecurity controls.
• Collaborate with control owners and service owners to clarify control objectives and facilitate smooth testing execution.
• Maintain accurate documentation for each control assessment, including test plans, results, and supporting evidence.
• Produce clear and consistent reports detailing testing outcomes and observations.
• Escalate issues, control deficiencies, or delays to the Control Testing & Assurance Manager.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the control testing framework, methodologies, and documentation.
• Work with key business stakeholders to support the organisation's cybersecurity and compliance objectives.
• Support the wider cybersecurity assurance programme through structured testing and evidence-based analysis.

What you should bring to the role

• Experience in IT audit, IT risk, or cybersecurity control testing within an enterprise environment.
• Understanding of cybersecurity control frameworks and assurance methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess control effectiveness.
• Experience working collaboratively with technical teams and business stakeholders.
• Ability to manage tasks independently while contributing to team objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear documentation and reporting.
• Good planning and organisational skills with attention to detail.

Technical experience and skills

Understanding of cybersecurity domains, including Threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Management, Security Testing, Security Architecture, Infrastructure Protection, Application Security, Identity and Access Management, Incident Investigation & Response, and Cryptography.

Familiarity with information security control frameworks such as COBIT or COSO.

Ability to gather, analyse, and document evidence related to the design and operational effectiveness of security controls.

Experience in maintaining structured documentation, including test plans, assessment results, and reports.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Experience working in a regulated environment.
• Experience within the water utility industry or other large, complex critical national infrastructure organisations.

Desirable technical skills and qualifications

Professional certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CRISC, or ISO 27001 Lead Auditor.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary between £40,000 and £55,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family's health and wellbeing, and your finances - from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Location and Working Hours

• Base location - Hybrid - Clearwater Court, Reading.
• Working pattern - 36 hours Monday to Friday.

Company Culture and Values

We're committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that's extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we're here to help and support.

We're the UK's largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It's a big job and we've got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values.

Working at Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you'll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It's also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.