Group Risk & Internal Controls Manager

Group Risk & Internal Controls Manager

Location: Handforth Support Office (hybrid – minimum 2 days on site)

Contract: Permanent, full time

About us

At Pets at Home, we’re united by one purpose: to make the world a better place for pets and the people who love them. From our stores and practices to our Support Office teams, everything we do is driven by care, expertise and doing the right thing.

As we continue to grow and evolve, strong risk management and internal controls are essential to protecting our colleagues, customers and shareholders – and that’s where this role comes in.

About the role

We’re looking for a Group Risk & Internal Controls Manager to play a key role in strengthening our risk culture and internal control environment.

Reporting to the Group Head of Profit Protection, Risk and Internal Controls, you’ll lead the development and ongoing maturity of our Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework and will support our Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) programme. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, you’ll help ensure risks are clearly understood, appropriately managed and aligned to our risk appetite and strategic objectives.

This is a high-profile role with regular exposure to senior leadership and governance forums, including supporting the business in meeting its obligations under the UK Corporate Governance Code (Provision 29).

What you’ll be doing

· Lead and embed a robust, scalable Risk Management framework, ensuring it’s fully integrated into day-to-day decision making.

· Identify, assess and monitor key enterprise risks across operational, financial, strategic, regulatory and reputational areas.

· Partner with senior leaders to design and implement effective risk mitigation plans and controls

· Own and continuously enhance the Group risk register, ensuring clear ownership, accountability and insight

· Lead the development and operation of our Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) framework

· Support annual controls scoping, testing and remediation activity, ensuring issues are identified, understood and resolved sustainably

· Provide expert support for governance, audit and assurance activity, including preparation for Audit & Risk Committee reporting

· Monitor emerging risks and external trends, providing clear, actionable insight to the business

· Build capability across the organisation by developing and embedding our Risk Champion network and delivering targeted training

What we’re looking for

You’ll be an experienced risk and controls professional who is confident operating in a complex, fast-moving environment.

Essential:

· At least 5 years’ experience in a mid-to-senior role within risk, controls, audit or assurance

· A relevant audit, risk or finance qualification

· Strong understanding of financial statements and risk assessment techniques

· Proven experience designing, implementing and embedding risk and control frameworks

· Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge stakeholders at all levels

· Strong analytical skills with a focus on root cause analysis and sustainable improvement

Desirable:

· Professional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or IRM certification

· Experience with GRC / risk management systems (e.g. Corestream or similar)

· Experience in digital, ecommerce or payment-based environments

· Strong understanding of the UK Corporate Governance Code and evolving audit and assurance expectations

Why join us?

We’re proud to be a business that puts people first. In return for your expertise, you’ll get:

· A hybrid working model with flexibility built in

· A role with genuine influence and visibility at senior level

· 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to buy more)

· Colleague discount, wellbeing support and pension scheme

· A supportive, values-led culture where you can truly make an impact

A little more information

This role is primarily based at our Handforth Support Office, with the flexibility to work from home 2–3 days per week. Some flexibility around working hours may occasionally be required, although evening or weekend work is expected to be rare.

We take our inspiration from pets in embracing people from all walks of life, and we value, respect and celebrate difference. We encourage our people to be their best selves so that we can create a better world for Pets, our Planet, and People. Our ambition is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and we are intentional in addressing and removing barriers to create opportunities for the exceptional talent and potential in our communities. Even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you.