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.

• 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.

• 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.