Axial Controls Lead

Axial Controls Lead - Contract

Location: Luton or Macclesfield
Start Date: Immediate start
Contract: Rolling monthly secondment/contract assignment
Working Arrangement: Hybrid

Overview
We are seeking an experienced Axial Controls Lead to support a major controls transformation programme. Working closely with the UK Controls Deployment Lead, you will play a key role in the design, alignment, implementation, and governance of financial and operational controls across multiple business processes. This is an excellent opportunity for a controls professional with strong SOX, risk, governance, and business process expertise to contribute to a high-profile programme within a complex corporate environment. Key Responsibilities
Lead completion of SOX, financial controls, and GxP control design activities across:
Order & Distribution to Cash (OD2C)
Master Data Management (MDM)
Enterprise Planning & Management Reporting (EPMR)
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)
Drive alignment and re-alignment of Axial controls with Enterprise Process Leads (EPLs) and Enterprise Process Owners (EPOs).
Review Change Requests (CRs), process flows, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), USTO and BIC documentation to assess control impacts and requirements.
Review User Acceptance Testing (UAT) scripts and ensure relevant control activities are appropriately embedded within testing frameworks.
Support the Axial Assurance Team by responding to control-related queries and providing subject matter expertise across assigned process areas.
Collaborate with EPO towers and relevant stakeholders to identify pragmatic solutions and workarounds for control gaps identified through assurance activities.
Lead the transition and alignment of Axial controls into Business-as-Usual (BAU) ownership structures.
Identify control operators and coordinate the development and delivery of controls training programmes.
Finalise Risk and Control Matrices (RACMs) for assigned process areas.
Proactively identify, assess, manage and escalate control-related risks to the wider Governance, Assurance, Risk, Controls & Compliance (GARCC) team.Required Experience
Extensive experience in SOX compliance, internal controls, risk management, or controls transformation programmes.
Strong understanding of financial controls frameworks and governance best practices.
Experience developing and reviewing Risk & Control Matrices (RACMs).
Demonstrable experience supporting large-scale ERP or business transformation programmes.
Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience working alongside Process Owners, Control Owners, Auditors, and Assurance functions.
Experience reviewing process documentation, SOPs, work instructions, and testing artefacts.
Ability to identify control gaps and drive effective remediation plans.
Excellent communication, influencing, and training delivery skills.Desirable Experience
Experience within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or highly regulated sectors.
Knowledge of GxP control environments.
Familiarity with controls within ERP transformation programmes, particularly SAP environments.
Experience working with governance, assurance, risk, and compliance functions in complex global organisations