Finance and Risk Director

Finance and Risk Director

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Penrith

Description

The recruitment process for this role is being led by our parent company L&G.

The Finance and Risk Director is the strategic leader accountable for the financial performance, financial stewardship, risk and compliance framework, contract management and governance of The Idol.

As an Executive member of The Idol Board and Senior Leadership Team, the role is responsible for ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the business, providing financial insight and challenge to support commercial growth, and maintaining a robust control environment that enables innovation whilst protecting customers, colleagues, partners and shareholders.

The role leads the Finance, and Risk & Compliance functions, ensuring the Company operates within its regulatory obligations whilst delivering strong commercial outcomes. It is an important role required to collaborate to shape and execute business strategy, balancing growth ambitions with effective governance, risk management and financial discipline.

Principal Responsibilities

• Strategy, leadership and growth. Shape and influence The Idol's strategy as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and Board, bringing financial insight, commercial challenge and risk-based thinking to support sustainable growth. Partner with the CEO and wider leadership team to evaluate opportunities, prioritise investment, make informed decisions and balance commercial ambition with good governance and customer outcomes.
• Financial leadership and performance. Lead the financial performance of the business, ensuring robust planning, forecasting, budgeting and performance management processes are in place. Provide clear insight into business performance, opportunities and risks, helping leaders make better decisions, deploy resources effectively and create long-term value for customers, shareholders and colleagues.
• Finance capability and stewardship. Lead the Finance function to deliver high-quality financial management, statutory reporting, treasury management, tax compliance, accounting operations and financial controls that meet regulatory and Group requirements. Build a modern finance partnering capability that combines strong stewardship with commercial insight, enabling teams across the business to make informed decisions and improve performance.
• Commercial decision support. Work closely with the Commercial & Growth Director, Product Director, CTO and wider leadership team to evaluate commercial opportunities, strategic investments, product initiatives and partner relationships. Ensure decisions are supported by a balanced understanding of commercial value, regulatory obligations, financial return and delivery risk.
• Risk, compliance and customer outcomes. Own and continually develop The Idol's risk and compliance framework, ensuring the business operates within its regulatory obligations whilst supporting innovation and growth. Lead the identification, assessment and management of strategic, operational, conduct, regulatory, financial crime and data protection risks, ensuring appropriate controls and assurance activities are in place. Champion a proportionate, practical approach to risk management that enables good decision making, promotes accountability and supports the delivery of good customer outcomes. Ensure Consumer Duty, conduct risk, fair treatment of customers and the needs of vulnerable customers are embedded into governance, oversight and business decision making.
• Contractual leadership. Oversee the management of the Company's commercial contracts and key governance obligations, ensuring contractual commitments, commercial risks and regulatory considerations are effectively managed in partnership with the Contracts Manager and Legal & General Legal teams.
• Governance and regulatory leadership. Maintain an effective governance framework that supports the business in meeting its legal, regulatory and fiduciary responsibilities. Act as the principal executive lead for regulatory engagement, ensuring the business maintains constructive relationships with regulators and meets all regulatory reporting, notification and compliance obligations. Work closely with the Board, Risk & Compliance Committee and Legal & General stakeholders to ensure effective oversight and challenge across the organisation. Build strong relationships with auditors, regulators, partners, suppliers and shareholders, acting as a trusted representative of The Idol externally.
• Organisational leadership and culture. Play an active leadership role in shaping the future of The Idol, helping create a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement. Support and role model organisational change, contribute to shared leadership priorities and actively work across functional boundaries to improve outcomes for customers, colleagues and the business.
• Leadership, talent and capability. Lead, develop and empower teams across Finance, Risk & Compliance and Contracts, creating an environment where people are clear on expectations, take ownership, continuously develop and deliver high standards of performance. Build organisational capability, strengthen succession plans and ensure the business has the talent required to support future growth and change.
• Board Director responsibilities. Carry out the duties of a Company Director with integrity and diligence, ensuring appropriate governance structures are maintained and that the Company operates effectively, responsibly and in accordance with its legal, regulatory and fiduciary obligations.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of financial management, governance, risk management and regulatory compliance within a regulated environment.
• Understanding of FCA regulation, Consumer Duty, conduct risk and governance frameworks.
• Understanding of digital businesses, technology-enabled operating models and the opportunities and risks associated with innovation and change.
• Understanding of corporate governance and Board-level decision making.
• Proven success leading Finance functions at senior leadership or Board level.
• Experience shaping business strategy and influencing executive decision making through financial insight and commercial challenge.
• Experience building high-performing teams and creating strong financial, risk and governance disciplines.
• Experience working with regulators, auditors, Boards and senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting business growth, transformation and organisational change whilst maintaining effective governance and control.
• Experience working within risk and compliance frameworks within a regulated business.
• Trusted adviser and partner to executive colleagues, able to provide both support and constructive challenge.
• Able to influence and build credibility with Boards, regulators, partners and stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrates the leadership behaviours of Challenging Positively, Committing Together and Acting Decisively.
• Leads with integrity, sound judgement and personal accountability.
• Creates an culture where strong governance, risk awareness and commercial thinking can coexist.
• Passionate about developing people, building capability and creating high-performing teams.
• Able to translate complex financial, risk and regulatory matters into clear business decisions and actions.

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