Control Manager - First Line

Control Manager - First Line, London, Permanent

This role suits an experienced risk or controls professional who wants clarity of scope and the space to apply their skills in a regulated, national payments environment. As Control Manager, you will focus on one clear outcome: making sure controls across Pay.UK’s first line teams are consistently designed, tested, and understood.

You will work across all first line teams, using a defined control testing approach aligned to Pay.UK’s assurance framework. Your work supports Pay.UK’s responsibilities as a regulated payment systems operator and systemic risk manager. You will see the full control lifecycle, from design review to testing, reporting, and follow-up, in an organisation that processes billions of UK payment transactions each year.

We offer a role with clear expectations, established stakeholders, and practical responsibility for how controls are tested and improved across the organisation.

Accountabilities

• Plan and carry out first line control testing across Pay.UK teams, using inspection, inquiry, observation, sampling, and re-performance.
• Review control design and operating effectiveness with risk owners to confirm that identified risks are being reduced as intended.
• Work with Risk Managers to agree and document actions where control gaps are identified.
• Apply the agreed controls testing methodology consistently across all first line teams.
• Prepare clear controls assurance reports that summarise testing outcomes and key themes.
• Coordinate with second and third line colleagues to maintain clear segregation between control ownership and control testing.
• Work with Risk Managers and first line teams to design a risk-based controls assurance programme. We define the scope, frequency, and priority of testing based on documented risks, and align the programme clearly to the 2LoD Controls Assurance Framework.
• Plan and perform first line control testing across Pay.UK teams by selecting controls, defining test steps, and carrying out inspection, inquiry, observation, sampling, and re-performance in line with the controls testing methodology.
• Review and improve control testing processes by updating testing steps, evidence standards, and documentation. We also assess where automated control monitoring could be introduced and help prepare teams and processes for that change.
• Review the design and operating effectiveness of controls with named risk owners by examining control documentation, evidence, and outcomes to confirm that key risks are reduced as intended.
• Document control testing results clearly, including identified gaps, root causes, and impacts, and agree practical remediation actions with Risk Managers and control owners.
• Apply the agreed controls testing methodology consistently by using standard templates, evidence requirements, and rating criteria across all first line teams.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience in control testing, controls assurance, or risk management within a regulated financial services or payments environment.
• Working knowledge of control design and operating effectiveness assessment, including evidence review and documentation.
• Experience working with first, second, and third line of defence models.
• Experience preparing written controls assurance reports that clearly explain testing scope, findings, and actions, and are suitable for both senior leaders and technical risk and control stakeholders.
• Experience of line management or formal responsibility for overseeing the work of others.

Pay.UK Behaviours

At Pay.UK, our behaviours are central to who we are and how we operate. They bring our values to life, shape our culture, and guide how we make decisions, collaborate, and respond to challenges across the payments ecosystem. All interview processes will assess the following behaviours:

• Listen to Find Win-Wins - Empathy, Listening and Understanding
• Shape outcomes with resolve — Influence, resolve
• Go Horizontal First - Cross Boundary Collaboration
• Take Ownership - Self Development
• Opportunity Mindset – Initiative
• Simplify - Achievement orientation

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Inclusivity

At Pay.UK, we value diversity and inclusivity. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the requirements listed. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of how closely their skills and experience match the requirements. We are committed to supporting accessibility needs and creating a welcoming environment for all employees. Become part of our team and contribute to the creation of an inclusive work environment that values everyone's unique input.

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Who we are

Pay.UK maintains and develops the UK retail payment systems and standards that are core to the economy being able to function on a day-to-day basis.

From Bacs to Faster Payments and cheques – we act as the single operator for all UK retail payments. We put the needs of consumers and businesses at the heart of everything we do, working in the public interest to ensure that the systems the country relies on for its banking transactions are safe, open, innovative and resilient.

Our payment systems underpin the services that enable funds to be transferred between people and institutions. In 2024, the UK's retail payment systems processed 11 billion transactions worth over £10 trillion through Bacs Direct Credit, Direct Debit, Faster Payments, and cheques, and our Current Account Switch Service has facilitated over 9 million switches since it’s launch in 2013.

Every day, individuals and businesses use the services we provide to get their salaries, pay their bills and make online and mobile banking payments. Our vision for the future is to enable a vibrant economy, with Pay.UK delivering robust payment infrastructure and standards for the benefit of consumers and businesses nationwide.

Learn more about life at Pay.UK by hearing what employees have to say, click here to view videos.

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Benefits & additional information

• 12% Non-contributory pension
• Discretionary annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, health cash plan, dental insurance, Bupa medicals etc
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Annual fitness subsidy of up to £500 per annum
• Working from home policy - minimum 40% in the office (eg. 2 days in the office over a 5 day working week)

Please note:

• Some of our benefits are only available to colleagues after meeting the requirements of the probationary period.