Controls Manager

AXA; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AXA Insurance UK seeks a Controls & Risk Framework Specialist to lead the development and embedding of AXA Insurance’s control environment. Reporting to the Head of Governance & Control, you will design, implement, and ensure ongoing effectiveness of controls aligned with industry best practices to support proactive risk management and strategic objectives.

You will drive control refreshes, RCSA programmes, and risk reporting, including dashboards for executive decision-making.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading controls transformation initiatives within a financial services or insurance organisation.
• Deep understanding of control frameworks, best practices, and control optimisation techniques, including automation and AI.
• Strong knowledge of FCA/PRA requirements related to operational and insurance risks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, capable of engaging at senior levels.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, design, and implement effective controls and processes.
• Skilled in developing and analysing large volumes of data, reports, and dashboards with strong attention to detail.
• Confident communicator with experience facilitating risk and control discussions and delivering clear reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and embed a comprehensive suite of controls aligned with the AXA Insurance Control Framework, ensuring they effectively manage key risks.
• Lead control-related refreshes, reviews, and annual RCSA programmes, providing expert guidance on control design and effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain high-quality risk and control reporting, including dashboards and metrics, supporting the Insurance Executive Team’s decision-making.
• Act as a subject matter expert on controls, process optimisation, and automation, including AI initiatives, to enhance control efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support the development of KRIs and other tools to monitor risk exposure and control performance, including out-of-tolerance activities.
• Facilitate control workshops, issue resolution, and discussions to promote understanding and continuous improvement across the business.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders across the business, Line 1 and Line 2 Risk teams, and external partners to embed best practices.
• Deputise for the Head of Governance & Control at key meetings and Committees, providing insightful risk and control updates.

Skills

Controls transformation

Financial services

Automation & AI

FCA/PRA requirements

Stakeholder management

Data analysis & dashboards

Risk & control reporting

Job description

About AXA:

AXA is a global leader in insurance and financial services, dedicated to helping customers protect what matters most to them. As the sixth-largest insurance company in the world, we provide a wide range of services, including health, car, home, and business insurance. We support millions of customers worldwide, helping them navigate life's uncertainties with confidence.

AXA Insurance UK, formed by uniting our Commercial and Retail teams under a single leadership, strengthens our core capabilities and our commitment to exceptional customer service

Job overview:

We are seeking a Controls & Risk Framework Specialist to lead the development and embedding of AXA Insurance’s control environment. Reporting to the Head of Governance & Control, you will drive the design, implementation, and ongoing effectiveness of controls, ensuring they are well understood, documented, and aligned with industry best practices. Your work will support proactive risk management, insightful reporting, and continuous improvement of our control frameworks to safeguard the business and support strategic objectives.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop, review, and embed a comprehensive suite of controls aligned with the AXA Insurance Control Framework, ensuring they effectively manage key risks.
• Lead control-related refreshes, reviews, and annual RCSA programmes, providing expert guidance on control design and effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain high-quality risk and control reporting, including dashboards and metrics, supporting the Insurance Executive Team’s decision-making.
• Act as a subject matter expert on controls, process optimisation, and automation, including AI initiatives, to enhance control efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support the development of KRIs and other tools to monitor risk exposure and control performance, including out-of-tolerance activities.
• Facilitate control workshops, issue resolution, and discussions to promote understanding and continuous improvement across the business.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders across the business, Line 1 and Line 2 Risk teams, and external partners to embed best practices.
• Deputise for the Head of Governance & Control at key meetings and Committees, providing insightful risk and control updates.

Work arrangements:

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) from January 2027. Away from home means attending the office, visiting clients or attending industry events.

Your skills & experience:

• Proven experience leading controls transformation initiatives within a financial services or insurance organisation.
• Deep understanding of control frameworks, best practices, and control optimisation techniques, including automation and AI.
• Strong knowledge of FCA/PRA requirements related to operational and insurance risks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, capable of engaging at senior levels.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, design, and implement effective controls and processes.
• Skilled in developing and analysing large volumes of data, reports, and dashboards with strong attention to detail.
• Confident communicator with experience facilitating risk and control discussions and delivering clear reports.
• Business-minded and pragmatic, able to work at pace and manage multiple priorities effectively.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge.