Head of Financial Controls

Hours:35

Closing Date:Wed, 9 Apr 2025

We’ve got a great opportunity for an experienced Head of Financial Controls to join Skipton Building Society in this brand new leadership role.

The key purpose is to drive the Group financial control framework in line with the requirements of the new UK Corporate Governance code and guidance from the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). Working with our appointed external partner firm, you’ll lead on Group Finance Corporate Governance Code Reforms, including our gap analysis and ensuring the framework is embedded into BAU.

This role works in partnership with our business to ensure that the Group’s financial control framework evolves with the business and remains fit for the future. The co-ordination of cross functional activity and change management will also be key to this role.

In addition to technical excellence, the role requires strong business acumen and exceptional communication skills. 

Who are we?

Not just another building society. Not just another job.

We're the fourth biggest building society in the UK and what makes us a bit different is that we're a mutual organisation. We don't have shareholders; we're owned by our members.

Our colleagues say Skipton's a great place to work, and you could be one of them, bringing with you new ideas on how we can keep customers at the heart of what we do.

Whatever your background, and whatever your goals, we'll help you take the next step towards a better future.

What’s in it for you?

Skipton values work/life balance and we are proud to support hybrid and flexible working, where possible. We have a newly refurbished head office which offers a vibrant and collaborative working space.

We have a range of other benefits available to you including;

• Annual discretionary bonus scheme

• 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days

• Holiday trading scheme allowing the ability to buy and sell additional annual leave days

• Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)

• Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)

• Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric car

• A commitment to training and development

• Private medical insurance for all our colleagues

• 3 paid volunteering days per annum

• Diverse and inclusive colleague networks available for you to join including our Carers and Pride Alliance groups

• We care about your health and wellbeing – we provide a range of benefits that support this including cycle to work initiative and discounted gym membership

What will you be doing?

As our Head of Financial Controls you’ll be responsible for the financial control framework within the Group Finance Team, including its ongoing development, documentation, implementation and maintenance. This crucial role assists the Director of Group Finance and the Group Chief Financial Officer in providing assurance to the Board over the Group financial control framework. Working closely with our business, 2LOD risk functions, 3LOD Group Internal Audit, with the role holder expected to attend and present at executive and board committee level. 

Key accountabilities include:

• Lead cross functional change initiatives in relation to financial control to ensure continuous process improvement.

• Create the delivery plan for embedding the UK Corporate Governance reforms and internal Enterprise Risk Framework, monitoring progress against plan and managing stakeholder expectations effectively.

• Seek to continually improve processes and systems, with an emphasis upon strong data lineage, financial reporting requirements, efficiency optimisation, and the long-term benefits for the Group.

• Build and maintain strong relationships across the business, being recognised as a highly credible individual who can communicate complex concepts in a simple to understand, straightforward manner.

• Maintain robust levels of skills and knowledge to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and legislative requirements, leading to the delivery of good customer outcomes and fair value for all customers, through insights and a strong external network.

What do we need from you?

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Significant experience of operating in a similar level role, ideally with an accountancy qualification, or risk and audit background

• Strong ability to interpret accounting and regulatory requirements, identify linkages between different requirements and establish the impact on the Group.

• Strong knowledge of accounting reporting requirements for a bank or building society and knowledge of the prevailing and emerging prudential regulatory environment in which the Society operates.

• An ability to develop, document and embed regulatory control frameworks.

• Strong technical knowledge and the gravitas to influence key stakeholders and deliver on Group financial control commitments, with the ability to interpret and concisely explain technical information to non-technical audiences.

• Exceptional leadership skills, providing technical guidance, support and challenge and fostering an inclusive and dynamic team culture.