Technology Risk & Controls Lead, ET & Corporate
Why we're hiring:
This role is responsible for leading the second-line controls assurance function across Business Platforms and Corporate applications and infrastructure, with a strong focus on IT General Controls (ITGC), SOX compliance, and audit readiness.
As a key member of the central assurance team, you will drive the design, rollout, and continuous improvement of the controls assurance programme, ensuring a consistent, risk-based, and auditable controls environment across all in-scope systems. You will play a strategic role in shaping WPP's compliance and controls posture to be more consistent, standardised, and repeatable.
The focus is on enhancing control effectiveness while simplifying processes, leveraging automation, data-driven insights, and AI / agentic assurance capabilities to reduce audit burden and improve transparency of control performance.
The role will also build and lead a high-performing team, embedding a culture of accountability, proactive risk management, and continuous improvement across the organisation.
What you'll be doing:
Team Leadership
Lead, coach, and develop a team of analysts supporting controls assurance activities.
Ensure high quality analysis, consistency of approach, and team capability growth.
Strategic Contribution
Shape and improve WPP's compliance and controls strategy across Business Platform and Corporate applications and infrastructure
Identify opportunities to enhance control maturity, simplify controls landscape and reduce risk.
Controls Assurance Leadership (ITGC/ SOX Focus)
Own and lead the design and execution of the controls assurance programme across Business Platforms and Corporate
Act as the key interface with Internal and External auditors, ability to challenge testing discrepancies, scope creep or invalid findings
Ability to provide pragmatic remediation guidance
Data, Reporting & Insight
Design and deliver dashboards and leadership-level reporting, providing real-time visibility of control effectiveness, audit findings/ themes and risk exposure trends
AI/ Agentic Assurance Innovation
Lead the introduction and adoption of AI-enabled and agentic assurance approaches to enhance continuous controls monitoring, automated evidence validation and assurance
Stakeholder Management & First-Line Enablement
Partner with IT, Finance, and Business teams to reinforce first-line ownership of controls, and understand interdependencies between IT and Finance controls
Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, translating complex risk and control issues into actionable insights
What you'll need:
Qualification Requirements (Desirable)
Strong experience in IT audit, ITGC and SOX compliance (SOX 404)
Experience designing and delivering controls assurance programmes at scale
Certifications such as CISA, CIA, CRISC advantageous.
Skills / Experience Requirements
Proven ability to apply risk-based assurance approaches
Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams
Ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on level
Excellent documentation and communication skills.
Ability to operate in fast paced, multi stakeholder, global environments.
Exposure to, or strong interest in AI/ automation in assurance
Who you are:
You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.
You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.
You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.
What we'll give you:
Passionate, inspired people - We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.
Scale and opportunity - We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.
Challenging and stimulating work - Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?
