Head of Governance and Controls Investments

AVEVA; City Of London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial services firm is seeking a Head of Governance & Controls Investments in London. The role involves managing market teams and supporting staff development while ensuring compliance and risk mitigation. Ideal candidates will have a relevant bachelor's degree and experience in operational risks within the financial sector. The position offers generous benefits, including a pension scheme and performance bonus.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Eligibility for annual performance bonus

Family-friendly parental and carers leave

Generous holiday entitlement

Up to 40% discount for Aviva products

Aviva-funded Private Medical Benefit

Flexible benefits, including electric cars

Matching Share Plan and Save As You Earn scheme

21 volunteering hours per year

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a control or operational risks role within the financial services industry, preferably in asset management.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for investment management companies.

Responsibilities

• Managing Public and Private Market teams.
• Supporting team members in professional development.
• Performing risk assessments with 1st line teams.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project management

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

Professional certification (e.g., ACA)

Job description

Please note this position is based in London and this will be the contractual location of the successful candidate; other locations cannot be considered.

Head of Governance & Controls Investments

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to develop their career in a challenging and rewarding field within a Governance and Controls 1st line integrated team.

A bit about the job:

This role involves managing the Public and Private Market teams and is ideal for someone with strong staff and stakeholder management skills. The successful candidate will be methodical, detail‑oriented and possess a solutions‑focused mindset to mitigate risks and enhance controls. A key aspect of the role is supporting team members in their professional development and career progression. All employees play a part in risk management guided by the Aviva Investors Risk Management Framework and the Operational Risk and Controls Framework (ORCM) which is endorsed by the Board and Executive Management. The ORCM emphasises oversight, monitoring, training and support across the Markets with 1st line risk and controls representatives providing ongoing governance.

Responsibilities

• Managing Public and Private Market teams.


• Supporting team members in professional development and career progression.


• Performing risk assessments with 1st line teams and upholding business standards.


• Representing Public Market and Trading at governance committees.


• Maintaining core process documentation and key controls.


• Managing the ICARE risk and control system.


• Preparing papers for and attending the Executive Risk and Audit Committees.


• Conducting regular Risk & Control Self‑Assessments and ensuring compliance.


• Supporting audit and compliance reviews.


• Collaborating with the 2nd line Operational Risk team.


• Contributing to risk mitigation and governance improvement projects.


• Line management of the Heads of Public and Private Governance and Controls teams.

Skills and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field.


• Professional certification (e.g., ACA) is a plus.


• Proven experience in a control or operational risks role within the financial services industry, preferably in asset management.


• Demonstrable project management skills.


• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for investment management companies.

What you’ll get for this role

• Generous pension scheme – Aviva will contribute up to 14% depending on your contribution.


• Eligibility for an annual performance bonus.


• Family‑friendly parental and carers leave.


• Generous holiday entitlement plus bank holidays with the option to buy/sell up to 5 additional days.


• Up to 40% discount for Aviva products.


• Aviva‑funded Private Medical Benefit.


• Brilliant flexible benefits, including electric cars.


• Aviva Matching Share Plan and Save As You Earn scheme.


• 21 volunteering hours per year.

Aviva is for everyone

We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. If you’re excited but not sure you tick every box, we still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part‑time and job shares.

We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers’ business and you. Most of our people are smart‑working, spending about 50% of their time in our offices every week – combining the benefits of flexibility with time together with colleagues.

We interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Once you have applied, please send us an email stating that you have a disclosed disability and we will arrange an interview.