Director, Controls

About the role

Mastercard is seeking a Director, Controls to lead the First Line Controls capability for Real‑Time Payments International. The role will shape the control environment, ensure effective governance and drive automation and AI‑enabled assurance across the organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve the Controls capability, aligning with the Operational Risk & Controls framework and ensuring effective reporting and remediation.
• Oversee the full control lifecycle – design, ownership, testing, monitoring, reporting and remediation.
• Run a risk‑based control testing programme that provides insight into effectiveness, material weaknesses and emerging themes.
• Partner with Product, Engineering and Architecture to embed “Control by Design” into technology and processes.
• Drive data‑driven automation, telemetry and AI to enable continuous, exception‑based monitoring.
• Manage issue tracking and ensure sustainable remediation of control deficiencies.
• Build strong partnerships across Product, Engineering, Operations, Risk and Assurance, providing practical advice and challenge to senior stakeholders.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing Controls team, fostering capability and a culture of continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Significant experience in controls, risk management and the three‑lines‑of‑defence model, preferably in technology, payments or financial services.
• Deep knowledge of the end‑to‑end control lifecycle and its integration with operational risk frameworks and governance.
• Proven track record of developing and improving control capabilities in complex organisations.
• Experience partnering with Product, Engineering, Architecture and Operations to embed Control by Design.
• Strong analytical judgement and ability to translate complex risks into clear management insight.
• Demonstrated leadership, stakeholder management and influencing skills with senior technical and risk leaders.

Required skills

• GRC platforms
• Automation
• Continuous controls monitoring
• Artificial intelligence (AI) for control testing