Job Description: Mirai Controls Senior Manager

Location: Kingston

Scope: Global

Reports to: Global Risk & Controls Lead

About the Role

Unilever’s global SAP S/4HANA transformation programme, Project Mirai, is a strategic transformation initiative aimed at harmonising, simplifying, and modernising Unilever’s core business operations through the implementation of a single ERP system, standardised business processes, and the integration of Agentic AI.

The S/4HANA Controls Design Senior Manager is accountable for the end to end design, governance, and implementation of internal controls embedded within SAP S/4HANA-enabled business processes. The role ensures controls are preventive, automated where possible, audit ready, and sustainable, supporting compliance requirements while enabling efficient and scalable business operations.

This role acts as a critical bridge between business process owners, SAP delivery teams, and assurance functions, embedding controls by design across global S/4HANA transformation programs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Controls Strategy & Design

• Define and own the S/4HANA controls design framework, aligned to SOX / ICFR, COSO, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Design end‑to‑end business process controls across core cycles, including:
• Record‑to‑Report (R2R)
• Order‑to‑Cash (O2C)
• Source‑to‑Pay (S2P)
• Make-to-deliver(MTD)
• Treasury, Payroll and Tax (as applicable)
• Drive the transition from manual and detective controls to automated and preventive controls using standard S/4HANA functionality.

SAP S/4HANA Integration

• Partner with SAP functional, technical, and security leads to ensure controls are embedded into:
• Process design
• System configuration
• Workflow and approval models
• Reporting and analytics
• Assess control implications of design decisions, including:
• Standard vs custom SAP solutions
• Data model changes (e.g. Universal Journal)
• System integrations and interfaces

Governance, Audit & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the single point of accountability for controls design within the S/4HANA program.
• Engage and manage senior stakeholders across:
• Finance and business leadership
• Internal Audit
• External Audit
• Compliance and Risk functions
• Lead risk and controls forums, design authorities, and decision-making bodies.
• Proactively manage audit expectations throughout the transformation lifecycle.

Testing, Go‑Live & Sustainability

• Define the controls testing strategy (design and operating effectiveness).
• Ensure controls are tested during system integration testing and user acceptance testing.
• Support go‑live readiness assessments and hypercare activities.
• Ensure controls are documented, operationalized, and sustainable post go‑live.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop a team of controls managers and analysts.
• Provide subject‑matter coaching on SAP controls, risk management, and audit readiness.
• Contribute to overall program leadership and transformation governance.

 Essential Experience

• Significant experience in controls design within large ERP or SAP S/4HANA implementations.
• Strong knowledge of SOX / ICFR and internal control frameworks.
• End‑to‑end understanding of core finance and business processes.
• Experience working with auditors during major transformation programs.

Technical & Functional Knowledge

• Strong SAP S/4HANA knowledge (FI/CO essential; MM/SD desirable).
• Understanding of SAP security, roles, and SoD concepts.
• Experience with SAP GRC Access Control (preferred).

Leadership & Behavioural Competencies

• Proven senior stakeholder management capability.
• Ability to challenge design decisions and influence outcomes.
• Strong judgment in balancing risk, compliance, cost, and user experience.
• Clear, confident communicator with both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Success Measures

• Controls embedded effectively at design stage with minimal post go‑live remediation.
• Reduction in manual and compensating controls.
• Positive audit outcomes during and after implementation.
• Strong stakeholder confidence in controls governance.

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS

Care Deeply

Focus on What Counts

Stay Three Steps Ahead

Deliver with Excellence

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

GCAD (Risk & Controls, Reporting) and Control Service Centre (CSC)

Technology Platforms & Product Owners; Cyber Security (ISOC)

Process Excellence & Capabilities (PEC); Data Governance

Market Finance/Tech teams; Internal Audit; External Auditors

TRAVEL

Limited global travel depending on portfolio needs.

WHAT WE OFFER

Flexible working options, family-friendly and inclusive workplace, and opportunities for growth and development.