Assurance Lead

Job Description

Purpose of the role

To partner with the bank, to provide independent insurance on control processes and advise on improvements to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the bank’s internal controls framework.  

Accountabilities

• Collaboration across the bank to maintain a satisfactory, robust, and efficient control environment through the execution of ad-hoc assessments and testing on the design and operational effectiveness of the internal controls, aligned to control policies and standards.
• Development of detailed test plans and procedures to identify weaknesses in internal controls and other initiatives aligned to the bank’s control framework to mitigate any potential risks and issues, prioritised by its severity to disrupt bank operations, potential losses, and reputational impact.
• Communication of key findings and observations to the relevant stakeholders and business units to improve overall control efficiency and provide corrective actions to senior managers. Collaboration with other control professionals to resolve complex issues and ensure consistent testing methodologies across the bank.
• Development of a knowledge centre containing detailed documentation of control assessments, testing on design and operational effectiveness of procedures, findings, and the distribution of material on internal controls to train and upskill colleagues within the bank.

Director Expectations

• To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
• They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
• Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
• Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
• Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
• Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
• Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
• Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
• Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
• Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
• Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
• Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
• Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver a portfolio of risk-based control testing work Globally across the front to back for UK Corporate Bank and Global Markets Inc. Investment Banking (IB) business.  Lead, manage and oversee the testing teams work, challenging control design and operating effectiveness.
• Own the development of the above areas Controls Testing plan, identification of risk focused topics with Business stakeholders and other Assurance teams.
• Work towards Coordinated efforts with the peer handling the similar portfolio for BI, BUK and BX business, in and outside India, to ensure synergies
• Deploy extensive data analytics in the CTE work and support the upskilling of the team in DA
• Review and approve working papers, testing reports and quarterly updates provided to the business.
• Facilitate discussion and agreement on the output of testing work with stakeholders.
• Accountable for the accuracy of data in the Controls Testing Tool (CTT) and any other reporting system as appropriate
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, represent the Controls Testing at key meetings, working groups and deputise for Controls Testing management as necessary.
• Act as a Site leader for Assurance and wider CCO teams based out of Pune.

Person Specification

• A proven team leader and people manager with the ability to deliver through others;
• Strong analytical abilities, with a methodical approach, sound judgement and a close attention to detail;
• Extensive project management experience and strong organisational skills;
• Proven stakeholder management skills – setting and proactively managing expectations in challenging environments;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Have a strong understanding of Markets (traded products) and Investment Banking products within a top tier financial institution.

• An excellent understanding of modern governance, risk and control assessment techniques.
• Strong experience in a Front Office, Internal Audit, Operational Risk Management, Risk, Controls or related
  disciplines in the financial services industry.
• Good organization, planning and project management abilities.
• Thorough understanding of the key Market, Credit and Operational risks operating across each asset class on a major trading floor.
• The role may involve overseas travel as needed.

Essential Skills/Basic Qualifications:

• CA or equivalent degree and relevant business experience relating to Front office and Operations for UK Corporate Bank and Global Markets (inc. IB) business and products;
• Extensive experience (approx. 20 years) in one or more of the following: FLOD Assurance and or Internal Audit and Control related discipline;
• Experience of working in a Markets and Investment Banking business within a Tier 1 Bank;
• Excellent understanding of risk and control assessment techniques; and
• Excellent communication skills and a proven ability to work in a matrix organisation.
• Excellent Report writing skills.

Desirable skills/Preferred Qualifications:

• Specialist Risk and/or Control-related qualification – formal accreditation / qualification relating to audit, risk and/or control etc.; and

• Knowledge of the Financial Services regulatory environment;
• Experience with data analytics tools and techniques
• Prior experience in team leadership and people management.