Head of Controls Transformation

Costain Group PLC; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure company in the UK is seeking an interim Head of Controls Transformation to lead efforts in developing the internal control framework. Responsibilities include coordinating controls transformation programs, improving design operations, and ensuring compliance with UK corporate governance. The ideal candidate has significant experience in control frameworks and project management, alongside relevant certifications. This role is integral to enhancing risk management processes across the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience leading transformational change initiatives.
• Ability to plan, budget, and manage projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation efforts for the internal control framework.
• Coordinate the controls transformation programme progress.
• Develop a framework for cross-functional assurance activities.

Skills

Experience of defining and maintaining an organisational control framework

Experience of developing measures to monitor control effectiveness

Leadership in business improvement initiatives

Understanding of UK corporate governance

Established project-management skills

Education

IRM Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management

Project Risk Management qualification (PMI or APM)

Project or Programme Management qualification (APM PMQ, Axelos MSP)

Job description

Overview

Costain's Group Risk and Assurance team has a unique opportunity for an interim Head of Controls Transformation to Lead transformation efforts targeting the development of the Costain internal control framework, including:

Responsibilities

• Selection of material controls (in accordance with UK corporate governance code provision 29) informed by existing processes, governance, and controls being used to manage group risks, and assurance outputs including from Internal Audit.
• Work with material control owners to plan, coordinate and implement activities to improve control design and/or operation, and to establish methods of evaluating control effectiveness.
• Coordinate, monitor and report on controls transformation programme progress via Architecture Review Board.
• Agree interface / alignment with digital transformation programme, ensuring controls requirements are captured and dependencies identified and managed.
• Ensure all material controls (financial, commercial, SHE, cyber / IT and governance) are communicated and clearly understood.
• Educate and improve understanding of controls across the business, including key control types, their role in managing risk, etc.
• Develop a framework for the coordination of cross‑functional assurance activities, ensuring these are focused on risk priorities, including compliance (CAVs), Internal Audit, and functional (2LoD) assurance activities.
• Develop and set up a method for reporting on overall control effectiveness, ensuring this meets UK corporate governance requirements and supports the board's annual declaration on material controls.
• Set up the process for planning and delivering multi‑disciplinary assurance reviews where required to evaluate specific contracts, teams, or processes / controls.

Qualifications

• Experience of defining and maintaining an organisational control framework.
• Experience of developing and implementing measures to monitor and provide evidence of the effectiveness of controls.
• Experience of leading business improvement / transformational change initiatives.
• Good understanding of UK corporate governance and regulation applicable to PLCs, with related requirements for controls, assurance, reporting and disclosure.
• Established project‑management skills: ability to plan, budget for, and manage projects to agreed cost and time targets.
• Experience of business planning, budgeting / target setting, and finance processes.

Preferred

• Experience of controls framework development within a comparable business (infrastructure, construction, energy, manufacturing, etc.).
• Experience of planning, coordinating and leading 2LoD assurance activities at operational level.

Behavioural profile

• Builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, using influence and negotiation skills to ensure outcomes relying on other functions / teams are delivered.
• Autonomy: able to plan and execute complex tasks with minimal supervision, whilst ensuring alignment with overall strategy is maintained.
• Strong team player, actively supports others with their deliverables to ensure the team delivers its objectives.
• Leadership: ability to forge and lead multi‑disciplinary, temporary teams comprising representatives from disparate functions / business units to deliver discrete activities, for example assurance reviews.
• Discrete: aware of sensitivities of information and how to manage and communicate for different audiences.
• Confident in organising and delivering large facilitated workshops (virtually or in person) and adept at engaging senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to present and explain complex information to a diverse audience including senior managers, directors, and executive board members.

Certifications

• IRM Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management.
• Project Risk Management qualification (PMI or APM).
• Project or Programme Management qualification (APM PMQ, Axelos MSP).