Controls Assurance Specialist
Darlington (hybrid working) 2 days per week in the Darlington office, with flexibility depending on business needs and stakeholder engagement.
About the role
We're looking for a Controls Assurance Specialist to join our Assurance and Standards team and help us build confidence in the controls and processes that underpin Member Services. Working closely with colleagues across the business, you'll use assurance testing, reporting and data-led insight to identify risks, strengthen controls and support continuous improvement
To learn more about Railpen, including our values, culture and purpose, visit our careers page here.
What you’ll be doing
- Testing controls across Member Services to assess whether they are operating effectively and delivering the intended outcomes.
- Producing assurance reports, management information and insights that help inform decision-making and support governance activities.
- Analysing data and assurance outcomes to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Working with stakeholders across the business to review processes, discuss findings and support the implementation of improvements.
- Supporting the introduction of new controls and ensuring they are embedded within assurance activities.
- Collaborating with Risk, Compliance and Internal Audit colleagues to maintain a robust and effective control environment.
What we’re looking for
We're looking for someone who enjoys understanding how processes work, identifying where improvements can be made and helping teams strengthen their control environment. You don't need experience in every aspect of assurance, but you'll bring strong analytical skills, a collaborative approach and the confidence to engage with stakeholders across the business.
Essential
- Experience gained within a financial services environment.
- Experience working within controls assurance, risk, compliance, governance, audit or a similar discipline.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
- Experience producing reports, management information and business insights.
- Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with data.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to present findings and recommendations clearly.
- The ability to balance constructive challenges with a collaborative approach.
Desirable
- Experience within pensions administration or a pension-related environment.
- Knowledge of controls assurance frameworks and methodologies.
- Experience using Power BI or similar dashboard reporting tools.
- Exposure to workflow or case management systems.
- Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
- Relevant qualifications, or qualification through experience, in risk, audit or pensions administration.
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Why is this role exciting now?
Member Services is continuing to strengthen how assurance activities are delivered, with an increasing focus on data-driven insight, effective controls and continuous improvement. This role offers the opportunity to work across the business, influence positive change and help shape the future of controls assurance within Member Services. You'll see the direct impact of your work through improved processes, stronger governance and better outcomes for our members, while collaborating with teams across Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit and Operations.
What you’ll get in return
- A competitive salary (depending on experience) plus generous annual bonus plan
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- We provide membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
- 4x Life Assurance cover
- We support hybrid and flexible working along with very generous family leave including 12 months full pay maternity leave and 6 months full pay paternity leave
- Take a look at the full range of benefits available to support you, click here
Next steps
If you’re excited by the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution and grow your career with us, we encourage you to apply by 9th October 2026.
Inclusion at Railpen
At Railpen, diversity, equity and inclusion are core to who we are. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to thrive. Our mission to secure a better future for our members is strengthened by the different perspectives and experiences our people bring. We are transparent about our gender pay gap and are actively committed to addressing it through fair and inclusive recruitment, progression and reward practices. We respect and support individuals’ pronouns and encourage colleagues to share them if they feel comfortable to do so.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity, or any other protected characteristic. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Skills Required
- Experience within a financial services environment
- Experience in controls assurance, risk, compliance, governance, audit, or a similar discipline
- Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data and identify trends
- Experience producing reports, management information, and business insights
- Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with data
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to present findings and recommendations clearly
- Ability to balance constructive challenge with collaboration
- Experience in pensions administration or a pension-related environment
- Knowledge of controls assurance frameworks and methodologies
- Experience using Power BI or similar dashboard reporting tools
- Exposure to workflow or case management systems
- Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives
- Relevant qualifications or qualification through experience in risk, audit, or pensions administration
What We Do
The Railways Pension Scheme is one of the UK’s largest and longest established pension funds. Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £34 billion on behalf of the scheme’s 350,000 members who are connected to the railway industry. Railpen's purpose is to secure our members' future. To achieve this we invest the scheme’s assets to generate strong returns over the long term. Our members and their employers trust us with this very significant responsibility. We are proud of this responsibility, take it very seriously, and are committed to, and passionate about, improving their future lives. Generating the required returns is challenging. To be successful we must constantly strive to be considered a world-class asset owner by our stakeholders, with a proven track record of adding value for our members. This means we have to have excellent people, doing exemplary work, in every part of our business. We use the size of our assets to invest wisely and influentially. Our convictions and a clear set of investment beliefs guide us through complex and changing markets. We’re not afraid to think innovatively or act boldly in the best interests of the members we are proud to serve
