Business Controls Manager

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

This role covers both internal controls design and internal controls assurance activities, working closely with BAT Management to support the effective operation of key financial, non-financial, compliance, and operational controls. In addition, the role provides internal controls expertise, advice, and guidance, while actively promoting risk management and control awareness across the BAT Group.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Controls assurance - SOx

• Maintain and adhere to BAT’s SOx programme methodology and ensuring it remains up to date with best practice (SEC, PCAOB and Big Four guidelines).
• Manage the planning, scoping and risk assessment for BAT’s global SOx programme.
• Manage the execution of Management SOx testing across key business processes, functions and geographies.
• Project managing a team of colleagues from the Business Controls Team and BAT’s co-source Partner of 2-15 at any time (local and / or across multiple geographies) – including activity assignment, delegation, on the job guidance, monitoring and review.
• Project managing BAT’s co-source partner – including monitoring of actual work vs. budget and performing quality assurance reviews.
• Manage and execute the SOx design and operating effectiveness testing and review in line with agreed testing schedules, ensuring all work is fully documented in line with the BCT Methodology and the SOx Testing process, reflecting current good practice in internal controls.
• Business partner with management from across BAT to support remediation of control issues, including designing practical and proportionate solutions to remediate deficiencies or gaps in control.
• Prepare concise, relevant reporting of status, results and key findings for BAT Management and Governance forums inc. Business unit risk committees, Regional Finance Leadership Teams, , Regional and Plc Audit Committees.
• Maintain on-going communication with BAT’s external auditors including alignment on controls audit planning, walkthroughs/testing, audit requests, and deficiency evaluation.

Controls assurance – other

• Manage internal controls monitoring & assurance across ICFR and other risk domains through the management controls self-assessment (Control Navigator), the year-end management internal controls sign off (ICSO) and the immediately reportable incidents process (IRIs).
• Support in the monitoring and resolution of all reported control issu:es and identified actions.
• Undertake incident reviews, including root cause analysis and assessing the adequacy of actions to address identified control issues or gaps.
• Align assurance activities with other 2LD and 3LD assurance providers (e.g. various compliance teams, Cyber, Security, Internal Audit)

Controls framework:

• Assist the review and update BAT’s internal control framework and assurance model.

Controls advisory

• Assist in providing internal controls design expertise to support business process, system or service organisation changes including:

• Process mapping, identification and ranking of risks
• Design of practical controls and supporting operating procedures, templates, guidance
• identification of opportunities to optimise controls through automation, standardisation and centralisation.
• Develop and deliver controls training.
• Work with BAT management to ensure controls are embedded and support management in remediation of control issues.

Business partnering

• Build and maintain good working relationships with management (e.g. Functional leadership, Business unit FDs & Controllers, Senior Managers & Compliance Managers) from across BAT to define & implement controls, support remediation of control issues, including designing practical and proportionate solutions to remediate deficiencies or gaps in control.

People management

• People management responsibility, including:

• setting clear, measurable objectives
• effective delegation
• providing on the job coaching and guidance
• timely, clear and balanced feedback on their performance and development needs

Context/ Environment

• Degree educated with relevant professional qualification (as a minimum in progress) e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIA, CISA and 3+ years PQE,
• Strong internal controls experience – either via professional services (Big Four – external audit, advisory) or working within the finance or internal controls team at a global multinational (ideally FMCG).
• Experience of working with SEC registrants and SOx environment is preferred but not essential.

Working relationship

Internal

• Align BCT activities with the review activities of other BAT departments, e.g. other 2LD teams including Compliance, EH&S, Global Security, IT Security, and Internal Audit.
• Business unit managers – promote an awareness of risk management and control practices and builds effective working relationships.
• Project Management & Change programmes – provide expert advice, guidance and feedback in the areas of risk management and internal controls.

External

• External Auditors – respond to queries and requests for information and support the external audit activity.

WHY JOIN BAT?
We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture).

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.