Controls & Risk Lead

HAVE YOU GOT SPIRIT?
 
Succeeding in today’s energy landscape requires collaboration, agility and the courage to challenge established ways of working. At Spirit Energy, we are redefining what good looks like in mature basin operations — focusing on safe, responsible asset stewardship, value maximisation and the delivery of an orderly energy transition.
 
Achieving this requires a broad mix of skills, experience and perspectives. Our people are central to how we operate — bringing curiosity, accountability and pragmatism to complex technical and commercial challenges. If you are ready to take the next step in your career with a forward‑thinking team committed to doing things better and differently, we would like to hear from you.
 
THE OPPORTUNITY – CONTROLS & RISK LEAD
 
Required to be responsible for

• Managing and maintaining a fit-for-purpose controls framework, and functional assurance activities of control testing and monitoring.
• Managing the enterprise Risk process and systems
• Overseeing and coordinating investment governance and value assurance in support of the investment decision process
• Reporting on the above areas as required for compliance or management requirements

 
Location: Aberdeen
Duration: 2-year contract
Contract Type: PAYE
Day Rate: TBC - For your application to be progressed, please ensure you provide a PAYE day rate banding expectation. 
 

• Please only apply if you have existing right to work in the UK.
• Please outline notice period/availability to start.

 
Spirit Energy currently have a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement for all office-based workers. 4 days must be worked in the office with compulsory days being Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The fourth day worked in-office (either Monday or Friday) is of the worker’s choosing but should be in keeping with what is most efficient and effective for their team. The office is open 5 days a week for full time, in-office working if this is the contractor’s preference.  
 
 
AND NOW FOR THE TECHNICAL BIT…
In role, you will be required to:
 
Controls & Assurance

• Manage and maintain a fit-for-purpose financial controls framework, ensuring it aligns with current policies, standards, and guidelines to mitigate financial risks effectively.
• Establish and enforce standards for financial close processes, monitoring compliance through robust control testing and assurance activities.
• Lead the delivery of controls monitoring and testing programmes, serving as the primary liaison with Internal Audit and external auditors.
• Report assurance findings to Finance leadership, clearly communicating control effectiveness, risk exposure, mitigation efforts, and recommended actions.
• Evaluate and report on Spirit Energy’s control environment, identifying weaknesses and areas of exposure, providing insights to the Audit Committee.
• Drive continuous improvement projects to strengthen the internal finance control environment, collaborating closely with business and leadership teams.
• Provide expert guidance to Functional teams on control documentation, emphasizing controls that support the Finance Management System and external reporting requirements.
• Promote a strong internal control culture through education, training, and advisory support, including delivering training on ARIS and controls excellence tools.
• Advise and support the Financial Controller and the Finance Director on all control-related matters to ensure effective governance and compliance.

 
Risk Management

• Own and run the enterprise risk management process and system
• Support the transition from ARIS to Workiva
• Represent Spirit in the monthly ERM reviews with Centrica ERM Team
• Manage external auditors (yearly walk through risk assessment process)
• Input into risk section of Annual Report

 
Investment Governance & Value Assurance

• Coordinate and oversee the Investment Governance activities – update approvals tracker, attend IDC meetings (as a non-voting member)
• Coordinate and oversee Value Assurance activities
• Provide updates to Internal Audit (monthly) on 2LoD
• Ensure compliance with external regulatory requirements and internal compliance

 
Any other associated duties as reasonably required
 
 
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in this role, we are looking for:
 

• Demonstrable record of improving processes
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills
• Understanding of risk management and control methodologies
• Ability to interpret control monitoring outcomes and identify financial implications
• Effective change agent
• Qualified accountant (ACA, CA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Relevant University degree

 
In addition to technical knowledge and credibility, we are looking for someone who lives our values - Agility, Collaboration, Courage, Care, and Delivery. A person who embraces and supports change, while ensuring the safe and efficient operation of a mature asset
 
 
 
 


People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.