Head of Customer Controls

At AJ Bell were committed to delivering straightforward high quality services that help customers invest with confidence. As we continue to grow were looking for a Head of Customer Controls to play a key leadership role in strengthening control oversight customer outcomes and operational governance across our Customer Services function.

This is a senior leadership role reporting to the Customer Services Director with responsibility for building and leading a robust customer controls framework that supports operational efficiency regulatory compliance and fair customer outcomes.

Youll combine strategic oversight with hands-on leadership working closely with senior stakeholders across Customer Services Risk Compliance Finance and Change to ensure our controls environment remains effective proportionate and fit for the future.

What youll be doing:

Youll lead the development and ongoing enhancement of our Customer Controls function ensuring strong governance meaningful reporting and effective control oversight across Customer Services activity.

Key responsibilities include

• Leading and developing the Customer Controls framework ensuring key risks controls ownership and assurance activity are clearly defined and maintained
• Providing oversight of customer related regulatory obligations including complaint handling Consumer Duty vulnerable customer processes and customer communications
• Managing the Operational Fraud Team providing leadership across fraud prevention detection case oversight and escalation
• Designing and delivering a proportionate assurance programme including control testing quality checks and remediation tracking
• Developing clear insightful MI to support senior management committees and board reporting
• Ensuring risks incidents and control weaknesses are identified early escalated appropriately and addressed effectively
• Partnering with Finance to monitor budgets efficiency measures and operational performance across Customer Services
• Supporting operational change by embedding controls into new processes systems and customer journeys
• Leading continuous improvement activity to strengthen controls reduce risk and improve customer outcomes

What were looking for

• Strong operational controls leadership experience in a regulated financial services environment ideally within investments pensions wealth or platform services.
• Proven experience leading risk controls quality assurance or operational oversight teams
• Strong understanding of FCA expectations relevant to customer operations including Consumer Duty and complaint handling
• Experience building governance frameworks assurance plans and control reporting
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge constructively at senior level
• Excellent analytical and reporting capability with strong MI and data interpretation skills
• Confidence translating complex control issues into clear actions and decisions
• Strong written communication skills including production of governance papers and senior reporting
• Experience managing teams and developing capability within a control environment

Relevant professional qualifications such as ICA CISI or CII would be beneficial although equivalent practical experience is equally valued.

About AJ Bell

AJ Bell is one of the UKs fastest-growing investment platform businesses providing award-winning solutions for everyone from professional financial advisers to first-time investors.

Today over 723000 customers trust us to manage more than 108.7 billion of assets. By continually striving to make investing simpler and more accessible were helping more people take control of their financial futures.

Were proud to be recognised as one of the UKs Best 100 Companies to Work For for six consecutive years and a Great Place to Work in 2025 and 2026 a reflection of our supportive and collaborative culture.

What we offer

• 28 days holiday increasing with service buy/sell scheme bank holidays
• 8% Pension with matched contributions
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Share schemes (including free shares and BAYE)
• Health Cash Plan and discounted private healthcare
• Free onsite gym
• Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Travel and bike loan schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme

Life at AJ Bell

• Regular social events including summer and Christmas parties
• Learning and development opportunities tailored to you
• Casual dress code
• Friendly supportive team environment

Our ways of working

We offer hybrid working with a minimum of 50% of your working time per month spent in the office.

For new starters theres an initial period of full-time office working to help you settle in and build relationships.

Inclusion & diversity

Were committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to be themselves at work.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills experience and potential.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time