Job Description

Location

Hybrid working with 1-2 days spent at our Support Centre and 3-4 days working from home.

This role is a fixed term contract and would require someone for an immediate start with us.

Why The Works?

We don’t just sell products.

We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

The Works. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

Become an Internal Controls Manager

The Internal Controls Manager is responsible for leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of The Works' business-wide internal controls framework. The role will play a key part in strengthening the Group's governance environment and supporting the Group's journey towards compliance with (the value-adding elements of) the UK Corporate Governance Code Provision 29.

Acting as the central coordinator for internal controls across the business, you will work with stakeholders across Finance, Retail, Distribution, IT, People and Commercial teams to identify key risks, design and document controls, perform testing activities, and drive remediation of control weaknesses.

The role will also serve as the primary point of contact for the Group's third-party Internal Audit provider, coordinating audit activity, managing stakeholder engagement, reviewing audit outputs, tracking management actions and reporting progress to senior management and the Audit Committee.

This is a highly visible role requiring a self-starter who is organised, proactive, detail-oriented and capable of influencing stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.

Your Mission

• Lead the development and maintenance of The Works' business-wide internal controls framework.
• Support the Group's progression towards compliance with UK Corporate Governance Code Provision 29.
• Own, develop and maintain the Group's Risk and Control Matrix (RACM), ensuring coverage of key financial and operational risks.
• Identify control gaps and work with process owners to design and implement effective mitigating controls.
• Develop, document and maintain financial policies, control standards, process documentation and operating procedures.
• Deliver a structured programme of controls testing and monitoring across key business processes.
• Track, report and drive resolution of identified control deficiencies.
• Maintain oversight of management actions arising from internal audit reviews, external audit findings and other assurance activities.
• Act as the primary relationship manager for the Group's outsourced Internal Audit provider.
• Coordinate annual and ad hoc internal audit plans, ensuring audits are delivered efficiently and to schedule.
• Review audit reports and recommendations, ensuring findings are practical, understood and appropriately challenged where necessary.
• Facilitate agreement of management actions with business stakeholders and monitor timely implementation.
• Prepare status updates, reporting and papers for senior management and the Audit Committee.
• Support major business transformation and ERP implementation projects by embedding robust controls and governance from the outset.
• Promote a strong controls culture across the organisation through coaching, training and stakeholder engagement, ensuring work is appropriate and value adding.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through process redesign, automation and enhanced system controls.

Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

• Minimum 3 years' experience in an industry-based Internal Controls, Risk, Internal Audit, Governance or Finance Controls role.
• Experience designing, documenting and implementing controls across multiple business processes from an immature base.
• Experience performing controls testing and tracking remediation activities.
• Experience working with internal and external auditors.
• Self-Starter: Takes ownership, requires minimal supervision and proactively identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Highly Organised: Able to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, actions and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong Communicator: Communicates clearly and confidently, adapting style for different audiences.
• Influential: Challenges constructively and gains buy-in from stakeholders at all levels.
• Collaborative: Builds trusted relationships across functions and works effectively through others.
• Resilient: Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Passionate about strengthening controls, improving processes and driving positive change.
• Commercially Aware: Understands the need to balance effective controls with operational practicality.

Being a great leader

As a great leader with wonderful people skills, you'll create an environment that's more than just co-workers — it's a team.

• Align Goals with Values: Ensure that your team’s goals are clearly connected to the company’s values and purpose. This helps colleagues see the bigger picture and understand how their work contributes to the overall mission.
• Clear Communication: Ensure that your team understands the goals, expectations, and their roles. Regularly share updates, encourage open dialogue and have regular check-ins.
• Role Model: Lead by example. Demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you expect from your team, such as punctuality, responsibility, and being a brand ambassador.
• Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback regularly. Recognise achievements and address areas for improvement in a supportive and continuous growth manner.
• Empower Your Team: Delegate tasks and trust your team to handle them. This builds confidence and promotes professional growth.
• Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts promptly and fairly. Foster an environment where issues can be discussed openly and resolved amicably.
• Empathy: Understand and consider the feelings and perspectives of your team members. This helps in building strong, supportive relationships

And let's not forget about the most important part… your team's well-being and aspirations. You'll be their biggest supporter, cheering them on. You'll have amazing everyday conversations with your team, discussing everything from their performance to their wildest career aspirations.

Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’

• 💪 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
• 😎 MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more
• 🏡 Family Friendly Leave - Enjoy some time well spent with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• 🚀 Holiday – 33 days including bank holidays.
• 💃 Holiday Purchase - Purchase an additional 5 days
• 🎓 Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
• 💸 Stream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
• 🏬 Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
• 💛 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
• 🩺 Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs
• 🥳 And loads more! – Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.

Our Purpose

To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play 💛💙

Our Values

We are Crafty 🎨 | Smart with what we've got.

We are Caring 💛 | Heart in every action.

We are Can-do 🚀| Energy that gets it done.

We Listen. We Care

Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.

Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).

We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we'll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!