Internal Controls Manager (London, GB)

This review provides an in-depth look at the Internal Controls Manager position at Currys, aimed at helping prospective candidates understand the opportunity and guide their career development.

Currys, a prominent UK tech retailer, is seeking a dedicated Internal Controls Manager to join their Legal team. This is a permanent, hybrid role based in London Waterloo, offering a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a company driven by a passion for technology and customer service.

What This Opportunity Offers:

As an Internal Controls Manager, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring Currys maintains robust controls to mitigate key risks and adhere to regulatory standards, including Provision 29 of the UK Corporate Governance Code. This position offers the chance to:

• Shape and Enhance Control Frameworks: You will be instrumental in designing, implementing, and maintaining a 'right-sized' control framework across financial, operational, and compliance areas, ensuring alignment with legislation and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
• Drive Proactive Risk Management: The role involves continuous design and testing of controls, identifying areas for improvement, and developing clear remediation plans. This hands-on approach allows you to directly impact the business's risk posture.
• Foster Collaboration and Influence: You'll work closely with a diverse range of colleagues across the UK and Nordic regions, from control owners to senior leadership. This will hone your ability to influence, build relationships, and communicate complex concepts effectively.
• Embrace Innovation: There's a clear emphasis on identifying opportunities to leverage technology, including AI and automation, to enhance processes and controls, promoting a 'smarter working' environment.
• Strategic Visibility: You will be involved in preparing updates and presentations for senior leadership, including the Audit Committee and Executive Committee, providing significant exposure to high-level decision-making.
• Career Development: Currys emphasizes supporting employee growth through ongoing training, skill development, and new opportunities, ensuring you can shape your career path within the organization.
• Impactful Contribution: Beyond business operations, Currys is committed to sustainability, being a leading recycler and repairer of tech. This role offers the chance to contribute to a company making a positive impact on people and the planet.
• Comprehensive Benefits: The company offers a competitive benefits package including a Company Pension Scheme, discretionary bonus, private health insurance, and colleague discounts.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

To thrive in this role and advance your career, consider the following:

• Experience & Qualifications: A minimum of 6 years in internal controls, risk, or audit is required, along with a professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, IRM) and at least 3 years post-qualification experience. Practical, hands-on experience assessing or running controls in diverse areas (finance, IT, ESG, etc.) is essential.
• Framework Knowledge: Familiarity with control frameworks like COSO and experience in control testing are critical.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong influencing skills and the ability to explain complex topics clearly to various stakeholders are paramount. Building trusted relationships across different teams and seniority levels is key.
• Commercial Acumen: A practical, results-oriented approach combined with commercial thinking will enable you to find effective, real-world solutions.
• Analytical Prowess: Sharp analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail are necessary for identifying potential risks before they materialize.
• Resilience and Independence: The ability to remain resilient under pressure and work autonomously when required is important for success in this dynamic environment.
• Hybrid Working: The hybrid model requires effective time management and the ability to collaborate both in-person and remotely.

This Internal Controls Manager position at Currys presents a significant opportunity for experienced professionals to make a tangible impact within a well-established and forward-thinking organization. If you are driven by a desire to strengthen controls, manage risk proactively, and contribute to a company that values its people and the planet, this role could be an excellent next step in your career.