Head of Audit - Group Operations & Technology in Leicester

The Head of Audit role is critical to the overall delivery of the Internal Audit function's objectives and assurance agenda, providing essential independent and objective assurance, advice and insight to the Group Board Audit Committee and Group ExCo. The person in post will have responsibility for senior Executive stakeholder management, developing and overseeing the delivery of value-adding assurance and advisory engagements, and articulating the views of and/or specifically representing the Group Chief Internal Auditor / Internal Audit function in different Society governance meetings. This will include direct exposure to the preparation and presentation of materials for the Group Board Audit Committee and Group ExCo.

Overseeing and controlling the day-to-day delivery of approximately half of the annual Internal Audit Plan, the Head of Audit will provide leadership, insight and direction to the approach and methodology used by Internal Audit colleagues to assess the Society's / Bank's business as usual operations and integration efforts. The role will focus on activities associated with Operations and Technology, being concentrated on processes fundamental to delivering the organisation's customer and member service standards, while also including elements of change prioritisation and delivery, and strategic digital development.

By overseeing the definition and execution of focused audit engagements, the role holder will have responsibility for ensuring the impactful delivery of opinions, guidance, challenge and insight related to the improvement of risk management, control and culture for the Group. As a new role within the Internal Audit function, it will have a specific focus on supporting the delivery of assurance of the integration of the Society and The Co-operative Bank.

We operate on a team led hybrid approach with at least 2 days a month in the Coventry or Manchester office. There will also be an expectation to be on site for stakeholder meetings when required.

Our benefits include:

• 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays and a holiday buy/sell scheme
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• Personal pension with matched contributions
• Life assurance (6 times annual salary)
• Company car allowance
• Private Medical Insurance

To be successful in this role it's essential you:

• Have significant internal/external audit management experience including an ability to develop both straightforward and innovative assurance approaches that reflect the strategic priorities of the organisation.
• Exhibit strong leadership capabilities that can effectively oversee the delivery of complex engagements flexibly, to time and quality.
• Demonstrate exceptional stakeholder management experience and skills, being proficient at engaging with Executive level leaders and their senior leadership teams.
• Focus on delivering value and insight in conjunction with independent assurance.
• Have excellent awareness of internal audit standards, requirements and industry good practice, combined with strong skills which optimise assurance coverage.
• Have extensive experience in managing, developing and supervising colleagues.
• Display broad experience of preparing high quality audit reports and/or papers for senior management and risk/governance committees.

Desirable experience will be:

• A Chartered Internal Audit (Certified/Chartered Auditor), IT Audit (CISA) and/or accounting (ACA/ACCA) qualification.
• Understanding and experience of financial services regulations and expectations.

In 2025, Coventry Building Society purchased The Co-operative Bank. Bringing together our purpose-led building society with the UK's original ethical bank was the start of an exciting journey. Trusted by over four million people, we're a mutually owned business free from shareholders, and with our combined experience of almost 300 years, our ethics and dedication will continue to guide us. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.

We're officially recognised as a 'Great Place to Work' and our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and comprehensive support for wellbeing. We're serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation and we celebrate diversity. By working together, we know you'll build more than just a career with us.

We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, we'll consider alternative working patterns. Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role.

Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We're proud to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As part of the application process, disabled applicants can opt in for the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.