Governance & Controls Manager

Dyson Farming is a family-owned business, with a vision to benefit future generations through a commitment to commercially viable and environmentally sustainable food production at scale.  We strive to be industry leaders in efficient, carbon-neutral, high-technology agriculture, employing highly skilled, pioneering people and supported by research and development in an ever-closer partnership with our sister company, Dyson.  We see the future of agriculture as an exciting opportunity to improve the nation’s food security, health, and economic growth.

The Controls and Governance Analyst is a key role for the finance function, being the lead person to drive and overseeing our financial and operational risk and control framework, identifying and mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance with internal controls and governance policies. This role will work closely with the finance leadership team and the wider finance and business teams to ensure that we have a strong and comprehensive controls framework in place.

This role is based onsite 5 days per week with monthly travel to our parent company based in Malmesbury.

Requirements

Develop and improve risk and controls framework

• Lead and own the controls process for DFL, acting as the key liaison (on behalf of the financial controller) between the finance function and the business as a whole.
• Be the main contact and owning the relationship with group Internal Audit and any External auditors when it comes to controls
• Develop and maintain a robust risk and control framework for DFL, including the identification and documentation of key controls.
• Continuously assess and update the effectiveness of internal controls to ensure they are aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Take lead on all internal audit findings and ensure that gap closures and remediations are closed down and resolved in a timely manner in the business
• Responsible for creation and maintenance of process maps for key controls in the business, ensuring that these are clearly linked and identified to core business processes

Drive cadence and discipline for controls adherence and controls

• Ensure that actions are closed down in a timely manner by the business and developing means to create and drive accountability around controls
• Oversee the rollout and implementation of internal control policies and procedures across the organization.
• Conduct regular evaluations of financial and operational procedures to ensure adherence to internal controls.
• Work closely with cross functional departments to continuously review the current risk and control matrices for the business to ensure appropriate and up to date
• Assist with regulatory compliance, including keeping up-to-date with relevant laws and regulations.

Create framework for accountability and increasing understanding of controls across the finance team (and wider business)

• Coordinate and conduct training programs to educate employees on internal controls and compliance procedures, ensuring the business has a thorough understanding of controls.

Key performance metrics

• % Completion of DFL risk and controls matrix
• % key controls fully documented
• # open actions
• # late actions
• % non compliant key controls
• Further to be developed & enhanced

Person Specification

Technical Skills:

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CPA, CMA, CIA, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in internal controls, governance, or a similar role.
• Has experience working in a practice environment or a strongly controlled corporate environment – knowing what good looks like
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks and best practices
• Experience with regulatory compliance and governance in a corporate environment
• Proficiency in using financial software and audit tools.

Desirable but not essential:

• Experience in the agriculture or farming industry
• Big 4 or mid tier practice experience

Other skills:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Confident communication skills, with the ability to interact with individuals with technical and non-technical backgrounds
• Analytical problem solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Copes well under pressure
• Demonstrate a flexible approach to work
• Organise and plan effectively
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a strong attention to detail