At AJ Bell, we’re committed to delivering straightforward, high quality services that help customers invest with confidence. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a Head of Customer Controls to play a key leadership role in strengthening control oversight, customer outcomes and operational governance across our Customer Services function.
This is a senior leadership role reporting to the Customer Services Director, with responsibility for building and leading a robust customer controls framework that supports operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and fair customer outcomes. You’ll combine strategic oversight with hands‑on leadership, working closely with senior stakeholders across Customer Services, Risk, Compliance, Finance and Change to ensure our controls environment remains effective, proportionate and fit for the future.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead the development and ongoing enhancement of our Customer Controls function, ensuring strong governance, meaningful reporting and effective control oversight across Customer Services activity.
- Develop and maintain the Customer Controls framework, clearly defining key risks, controls, ownership and assurance activity.
- Oversee customer‑related regulatory obligations, including complaint handling, Consumer Duty, vulnerable customer processes and customer communications.
- Manage the Operational Fraud Team, providing leadership across fraud prevention, detection, case oversight and escalation.
- Design and deliver a proportionate assurance programme, including control testing, quality checks and remediation tracking.
- Develop clear, insightful MI to support senior management, committees and board reporting.
- Identify, escalare and address risks, incidents and control weaknesses early and effectively.
- Partner with Finance to monitor budgets, efficiency measures and operational performance across Customer Services.
- Embed controls into new processes, systems and customer journeys to support operational change.
- Lead continuous improvement activity to strengthen controls, reduce risk and improve customer outcomes.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong operational controls leadership experience in a regulated financial services environment, ideally within investments, pensions, wealth or platform services.
- Proven experience leading risk, controls, quality assurance or operational oversight teams.
- Strong understanding of FCA expectations relevant to customer operations, including Consumer Duty and complaint handling.
- Experience building governance frameworks, assurance plans and control reporting.
- Strong stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively at senior level.
- Excellent analytical and reporting capability, with strong MI and data interpretation skills.
- Confidence translating complex control issues into clear actions and decisions.
- Strong written communication skills, including production of governance papers and senior reporting.
- Experience managing teams and developing capability within a control environment.
What We Offer
- 28 days holiday, increasing with service plus bank holidays.
- 8% pension with matched contributions.
- Discretionary bonus scheme.
- Share schemes, including free shares and BAYE.
- Health cash plan and discounted private healthcare.
- Free onsite gym.
- Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria).
- Travel and bike loan schemes.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
Our ways of working
We offer hybrid working, with a minimum of 50% of your working time per month spent in the office. For new starters, there’s an initial period of full‑time office working to help you settle in and build relationships.
Inclusion & diversity
We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential.
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