Independent Non-Executive Director, Local Audit Office in Belsize Park

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking five highly-skilled and experienced Non-Executive Directors to join the Local Audit Office Board. These directors will play a critical role in the establishment and running of the new Local Audit Office, providing independent oversight and strategic guidance to ensure the Office operates with the highest standards of governance and accountability. By leading one of the most ambitious reform programmes in over a decade, the Ministry aims to modernise the local audit system, reduce complexity, improve coordination, and restore transparency and public trust.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent oversight and constructive challenge to the Controller of Local Audit and executive management to support the establishment of the Local Audit Office, delivery milestones, and strategic long‐term direction.
• Contribute to the work of any Local Audit Office sub‐committees and the main Board.
• Provide additional scrutiny, external expertise and discipline to promote transparent decision‐making of the Board and bring insight from your wider experience to inform and shape the strategic thinking.
• Promote the highest standards of governance and accountability in the management of the operations, ensuring consistency with statutory requirements and best practice.
• Support the establishment of the Local Audit Office's key functions at pace to achieve short‐term and medium‐term objectives.
• Actively participate in board meetings and relevant sub‐committees, contributing to informed decision‐making processes.
• Maintain the Board's operational independence while assuring Ministers of effective statutory function delivery in line with government policy.
• Represent the organisation at external events and stakeholder engagements, fostering positive relationships and promoting the organisation's interests.
• Act as an advocate championing the profile of local audit across the broader corporate audit and regulatory landscape.
• Monitor the performance of the executive team and the Office, providing reporting, feedback and guidance as necessary.
• Ensure effective risk management practices, identifying and addressing potential risks.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and standards, maintaining high levels of corporate governance.
• Provide oversight of the Office's use of resources, challenging and advising decision‐making processes.

Qualifications

• Proven board level experience as a non‐executive director or senior leadership in large and complex public or private sector organisations (UK or overseas).
• Strong knowledge of public sector governance, audit, risk and financial oversight, organisational development, transformation and performance monitoring.
• Excellent strategic thinking and independent, objective judgement, with the ability to assess complex issues, identify key risks and mitigations, and support board decisions that improve accountability and value for money.
• Political astuteness and understanding of local and national government, Parliament and the context of the Office's work and Parliamentary accountability.
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship management skills.
• Strong understanding of the policy and regulatory framework for local financial reporting and local audit, supported by relevant professional qualifications (e.g., accountancy, law, business administration).
• Experience of establishing or working within arm‐sleeve bodies, leading or overseeing regulatory transformation, tackling complex system‐wide issues, holding executives to account and delivering sustainable reforms in the public interest.