Director of Internal Audit & Risk

Join our team and be part of a company that truly lives its values. With our expertise and commitment to innovation, we aim to build trust and make health and wellness accessible to all. By fostering inclusivity and care, we work collaboratively to improve the well-being of our colleagues, customers, and communities.

We're looking for a strategic and forward-thinking Director of Internal Audit to lead our global audit and security functions. This high-impact role is critical as we scale internationally and expand into new ‘Beyond Retail' growth areas.

You'll set long-term priorities, develop audit strategies, and make key decisions that influence risk management, internal controls, and security protocols across the business. While not directly accountable for P&L, you will ensure effective oversight of audit budgets and deliver strong financial governance.

This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in protecting and enabling our growth journey — influencing key frameworks and practices at the highest level of the organisation.

The Role:

The Purpose of the Role: 

To lead the Internal Audit function across a rapidly growing global business, ensuring robust risk management, strong internal controls, and compliance with international regulations. This role will define and implement an audit strategy aligned with the company's expansion into international markets and new ‘Beyond Retail' business areas. Additionally, it will oversee the Retail Theft, Loss, and Security function, driving operational effectiveness across stores, Distribution Centres, and Hub locations.

Key Responsibilities:

Audit Planning & Execution

• Develop, implement, and maintain the annual internal audit plan based on a comprehensive risk-based assessment of the Group's operations and areas of risk.
• Lead the internal audit team to conduct effective audits across financial, operational, and compliance processes, evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance structures.
• Assess the adequacy of the internal control environment, identify control weaknesses, and recommend corrective actions to senior leadership to mitigate identified risks.

Risk Management & Control

• Identify emerging risks and provide actionable insights into potential areas of concern, offering strategic recommendations for risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure that internal audit activities align with the Group's overall risk management framework and regulatory compliance requirements, particularly as the business scales internationally.
• Review and advise on policies and procedures to enhance control mechanisms across the Group, ensuring consistency and reliability across international operations.

Reporting & Communication

• Report audit findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations clearly and concisely to senior management and the Audit Committee, ensuring transparency and understanding.
• Provide detailed reports on audit activities, outlining results, conclusions, and corrective actions required for risk mitigation and operational improvement.
• Document audit findings using systems to ensure proper tracking and clear ownership of remediation actions. Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor the success of audit remediation.
• Follow up on audit recommendations to ensure timely implementation and resolution of identified issues, collaborating with relevant business areas to ensure compliance.

Continuous Improvement

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across the Group by identifying process enhancements, operational efficiencies, and areas for innovation.
• Leverage data analytics and technology tools to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the internal audit function, improving audit accuracy, speed, and coverage.

Location:

This role is based in Nuneaton, and may be occasionally required to travel to our London Hub or to any other location of H&B. We support flexibility and productivity of our employees by hybrid working arrangements with minimum 2 days presence in the office.

The Person:

Key Requirements:

• Significant experience in internal audit, with a focus on leadership roles within complex, multi-site, or international businesses.
• Previous experience in managing or overseeing audit teams, risk management strategies, and internal controls at a senior level.
• Hands-on experience in managing global audit programs, especially in retail or distribution environments.
• Proven track record of collaborating with senior leadership across finance, operations, and risk management to drive alignment between audit findings and business strategy.
• Experience leading or contributing to business transformations, particularly those related to global expansion, new market entry, or structural changes within audit functions.
• Strong background in financial auditing, internal controls, and compliance, particularly in complex operational structures such as retail stores, DC & Production, and international hubs/partners.
• A degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; a master's degree or professional certifications (e.g. IRM/CIMA/ICA/ICAEW) are highly desirable.
• In-depth understanding of internal audit methodologies, risk management frameworks (e.g., COSO, ISO 31000), and audit standards (e.g., IIA standards, Sarbanes-Oxley Act).
• Comprehensive knowledge of financial reporting standards, regulatory compliance requirements, and corporate governance best practices (e.g., SOX, GDPR, international regulations).
• Expertise in fraud detection, loss prevention, and security risk management across global operations, particularly in retail and distribution environments.
• Knowledge of international audit standards, tax regulations, and compliance requirements across different jurisdictions as the company scales into new markets.

What we offer:

Our Benefits for this role include, but not limited to:

• H&B Employee Discount – 25%
• Bonus
• Pension company contribution
• 33 Days Holiday per year (Inclusive of bank holidays)
• Private Medical Care
• Exclusive benefits, free advice and savings from a range of retailers and providers