Internal Audit Manager

Requirements: You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to support with visa sponsorship and relocation.

Role Context – About The Team: The Internal Audit department is a global function with teams in two geographical locations. The team is led by the Director of Internal Audit who formally reports to both the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee (functional line) and the Chief Operating Officer (administrative line). The department follows a risk-based approach to audits. The Internal Audit department delivers a comprehensive, independent and objective assurance and advisory service to the organisation in a customer‑orientated manner which is in accordance with the British Council values.

Role Purpose - The Job: This role has prime responsibility for overseeing and managing an annual portfolio of audits, including: overseeing and delivering all aspects of internal audit assignments (planning, fieldwork, reporting and action follow up); portfolio‑level strategic planning; senior stakeholder management and; providing the business with third line assurance expertise as required. The result will be to contribute to an effective and efficient internal audit department through playing a key role in supporting the British Council in the management of risk and achievement of objectives. The role supports the Director of Internal Audit with the annual audit opinion around the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management and control processes across the Organisation and provision of first class internal audit services. This role is critical in maintaining the department’s reputation of being a trusted and valued business partner and to provide high quality assurance across a range of risk areas.

The candidate is a technically strong, commercial thinking (audit, risk and finance) professional and must have the ability to support, work with and influence colleagues across the organization. The candidate has a clear vision of best‑in‑class internal audit services and can deliver high quality and impactful assurance with a high degree of autonomy.

Main Accountabilities:

• Leadership & management: Supporting the Director of Internal Audit with the delivery of assurance processes to provide a first‑class Internal Audit service within the organisation. Continue to elevate the profile of Internal Audit by working closely with Geographic Directors and their leadership teams to embed risk‑based assurance as a trusted and valued advisory service. Ensuring consistency in audit approach and being accountable for achieving internal quality standards. Be responsible for the overall delivery of one or more Geographic or thematic audit portfolio(s), including planning, fieldwork, reporting and action monitoring in line with departmental strategy and objectives. This includes supporting, overseeing and/or delivering audits in the Corporate portfolio and/or any of the Geographic portfolios. Deliver relevant and impactful audits which align to strategy, objectives, risks and operations. Line managing Senior Auditors and/or Auditors where applicable.
• Strategy and/or planning: Contributing to the creation of the annual audit plan, with key responsibility for identifying and proposing relevant assurance needs aligned to the principal risk profile and overall strategic priorities.
• Relationship and stakeholder management: Develop a strong geographic and global network in order to identify risks and opportunities to add value and coordinate control framework improvements. Liaising at all levels of the organisation, including senior management.
• Consultancy, analysis and problem solving: Performing ad‑hoc advisory engagements to provide strategic insight on risks and controls to Senior and/or Geographic/Regional Management. Identify practical and pragmatic risk mitigations which improve the control environment with the buy‑in of the business. Provide strategic advice to the business on assurance.

Requirements Of The Role:

• Experience of working in international and multi‑cultural organisations
• Robust experience of risk‑based audit
• Proven track record of building productive relationships at all levels of the organisation
• Reporting and engaging effectively with senior management
• Independently minded and willing to challenge existing business practice
• Managing a portfolio of audits to time and quality across multiple locations and business areas
• Knowledge of SAP applications
• Knowledge of shared services and managed service provider operations
• Experience of third‑party contract assurance
• Data analytics experience
• Knowledge on the use of audit software or tools e.g TeamMat
• Knowledge of governance in a group structure (geographic/regional hubs, clusters etc)

Professional Qualification and Certification: A professional accountancy or internal audit certification is required.