Job Details

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business.  We are on a mission to decrease the health impact of our industry 
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to Be The Change. Come, join us on this journey!

This new role is to support the Head of Business Controls and senior BAT team members in ensuring BAT’s compliance with the new provision 29 requirements arising from the updated 2024 UK Corporate Governance Code published by the UK Financial Reporting Council in January 2024 (effective from 1 January 2026 for BAT Plc)!

The role is responsible for the design, implementation and execution of a practical, proportionate new programme using insights from case studies from peer companies, professional service firms and other advisors.

The role works closely with BAT Management to assist with the design and effective operation of internal controls across BAT’s most key financial & non-financial reporting, compliance, and operational areas. The role covers both : 1Internal control design activity and 2) Internal control assurance activity. Additionally, the role provides Internal Controls expertise, advice and mentorship and promotes an awareness of risk management and control across the BAT Group.

Your key responsibilities will include

1. Planning and deliveryof BAT’s UK Corporate Governance Code Internal Controls programme, including project management & tracking of progress across implementation year (2025) and delivery (2026 onwards).
2. Update BAT’s Internal controls framework & methodologyto cater for UK Corporate Code revised requirements.
3. Material control definition(during implementation year 2025):

• Establish a list of them including criteria to determine their efficiency
• Assign ownership and oversight for each of them – and agree with Risk owners and Functional leaders and a target level of confidence required for each material control
• Prepare control operation guidelines inc. templates, documentation requirements, evidence guides

4. Bi-annual refresh (2026 onwards) of material controls based on BAT’s Group risk assessment (ERM) cycle.
5. Change management & commsto the business partners – during implementation in 2025 and business as usual from 2026 onwards.
6. Training & mentorshipfor the business control owners & operators on control implementation, documentation and evidence requirements, target confidence levels etc
7. Assurance:

• Establish a coordinated assurance process that includes systems, a defined methodology and cadence – covering self-assessment and 2nd line assurance.
• Build, agree and deliver plan for Dry run testing (2025) & ‘BAU’ testing (2026 onwards) control self-assessment, control design and planning efficiency assessment with support from controls team co-source partner.

8. Remediation support & further training / mentorship.
9. Reporting to key stakeholders & Governance forums inc. running of Project Steering Committee & reporting to BAT’s key governance forums including BAT Plc Audit Committee, Corporate Audit Committee, Disclosure Committee.
10. People management: Manage team of colleagues from Business Controls Team and BAT’s co-source partner including activity assignment, delegation, monitoring and review.

Broader Internal controls activities:

1. Business partnering:Build and maintain good working relationships with management (e.g. Functional leadership, Business unit FDs & Controllers) from across BAT to define & implement material controls, support improving of controls, along with designing practical and proportionate solutions to remediate deficiencies or gaps in control.
2. Reporting:Prepare concise, relevant reporting of status, results and key findings for BAT Management and Governance panel inc. Project Steerco, Business unit risk committees, Regional Finance Leadership Teams, Functional Leadership Teams, Disclosure Committee, Regional, Corporate and Plc Audit Committees.
3. Controls advisory: Provide internal controls design expertise to support business process, system or service organisation changes including:

• Process mapping, identification and ranking of risks
• Design of practical material controls and supporting operating procedures, templates, mentorship, identification of opportunities to optimise controls through automation, standardisation and centralisation, develop and deliver controls training.
• Work with BAT leadership team to ensure controls are embedded and support management in remediation of control issues.

4. People management:

• Setting clear, measurable objectives, effective delegation, providing on the job coaching and mentorship, timely, clear and balanced feedback on their performance and development needs.

What are we looking for?

• Degree or equivalent experience educated with a relevant professional qualification e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIA, CISA, 8+ years PQE!
• Strong Internal controls' experience – including US and UK regulatory requirements - either via professional services (Big Four - external audit, advisory) or working within the finance or internal controls team at a global multi-national (ideally FMCG);
• Solid understanding of US and UK internal control requirements for a global group, including SEC SOx requirements, UK Corporate Governance Code (revised 2024) and standard methodologies.
• Strong financial accounting & reporting knowledge and experience of working with US listed companies (SEC registrants) and in a SOx environment is preferred but not essential
• Good understanding and experience of one or more of BAT’s core business functions, including finance, operations or marketing;
• Experience in reviewing core business and finance processes and assessing the adequacy of controls, including design and operating effectiveness.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to a) describe technical process, risk and controls scenarios in an understandable way to senior management and b) to summarise significant amounts of information into the key messages including impact assessments and recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence key decision makers to ensure risks and control scenarios are fully understood.
• Experience in managing diverse teams as part of both standards processes and one-off project work and engaging with external auditors.
• Use data analytics tools to proactively identify anomalies, trends, and potential control weaknesses withing financial and operational data.

What we offer you?
•    We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
•    Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
•    Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
•    You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
•    We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes

WHY JOIN BAT?
We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.
Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.