Senior Internal Audit Manager in London

Senior Internal Audit Manager in London

London Full-Time 59400 - 72600 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead internal audits and drive continuous improvement across diverse business areas.
  • Company: Join DFS Group, a vibrant community of brands focused on creating beautiful living spaces.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, health plans, bonuses, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Access to a Learning Hub and structured induction for your growth journey.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while collaborating with passionate teams in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Professional accounting or auditing qualification with hands-on internal assurance experience.

The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.

About us
At DFS Group, we're proud to help people create spaces they love to live in. We're home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company: three brands with their own personalities, brought together by a shared mission. Behind our brands is a passionate Group team. From Finance and Technology to People, Marketing and Supply Chain, our Group functions power everything we do. They create the foundations that allow our brands to thrive, innovate and grow. Whether you're supporting our brands or serving our customers, the mindset that connects us means we expect more of ourselves and each other. It means every customer is our favourite, every voice is valued, and every interaction is one we're proud of. When you're part of a community that shares your way of thinking, the wins feel bigger. The effort feels worth it. It's a place where people stay because they feel valued, and find room to grow because they're challenged.

About the role
As our Senior Internal Audit Manager, you will act as a key leader within a focused in-house team, supported by a strategic co-source partner. Operating across a diverse and dynamic portfolio, including Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics, and Regulated activities, you will balance hands-on audit delivery with supporting the Group Head of Internal Audit (GHIA) in maturing our Internal Audit function. Grounded in our Group Values, this position is designed for a collaborative professional who leads with context, passion, and respect. You will not only deliver critical independent assurance but also act as a trusted business partner, driving continuous improvement and excellence across the entire Group. This is a hybrid role based in Doncaster.

What you'll be responsible for:

  • Supporting the GHIA in maturing the function in alignment with IIA standards. You will start with the why to develop dynamic, risk-based audit plans that align with our strategic objectives and evolving risk profiles.
  • Leading, scoping, fieldwork, and reporting across complex, high-risk areas. Your focus will be on what truly matters, identifying root causes and agreeing on pragmatic, commercially focused solutions with business leaders.
  • Forging strong relationships across the Group. You will build great relationships across the business and collaborate seamlessly with our co-source partners and internal Risk and Control peers to deliver a truly integrated assurance model.
  • Monitoring and reporting on the progress of management actions, holding the business accountable to ensure risks are effectively mitigated without settling for less than the best.
  • Championing the rollout and embedding of our new GRC tool. You will drive team adoption, ensuring the platform serves as the definitive single source of truth for all audit reporting and action tracking.
  • Conducting special investigations and ad-hoc projects with the highest level of integrity and discretion, providing critical support to the GHIA in their capacity as Company Whistleblowing Officer.

We're looking for someone who has:

  • A professional accounting or auditing qualification, such as CMIIA, ACCA, CIMA, or an equivalent credential, alongside at least two years of post-qualification practice.
  • Solid hands-on expertise focused specifically on internal assurance, rather than relying solely on external auditing backgrounds.
  • Proven background conducting reviews across key business environments like retail operations, supply chain logistics, IT and cyber security, manufacturing, or financial controls.
  • Strong track record of working collaboratively within matrixed environments, managing reviews autonomously, and partnering with external co-source teams or internal colleagues.
  • Deep technical assurance capabilities, incorporating flexible testing methodologies, thorough root-cause analysis, and risk-focused execution across varied operating divisions.
  • A commercial mindset that evaluates assurance findings through operational reality, partnering effectively with stakeholders to land pragmatic, high-value solutions.
  • An inclusive, humble approach to collaboration, listening actively, welcoming feedback, and engaging across teams with genuine curiosity and respect for operational impact.
  • Clear and engaging communication capabilities, distilling complex operational risks, key themes, and underlying root causes into concise assurance reports for executive leadership.
  • A collaborative spirit and positive mindset, dedicated to driving collective success while supporting the growth and well-being of colleagues across the entire Group.

Don't let it discourage you if you don't have all of this experience, it's a guideline that will help you hit the ground running. If the role sounds like it would be a great fit for you and you're confident that it suits you, we'd love you to apply.

Room to grow
Everyone at DFS Group begins with a structured induction designed to help you understand our brands, our culture and how we work together. From day one, you will have access to our online Learning Hub, filled with digital courses, tools and resources to support your development. For leaders, we offer virtual workshops focused on building confident, capable leadership. We also run skills-based workshops to strengthen core capabilities across the business. Colleagues can also undertake nationally recognised qualifications through our apprenticeship programmes, giving you the opportunity to gain external accreditation while you grow your career with us.

Our DFS Group benefits
We believe great work deserves great support. That's why we offer benefits that help you grow, feel looked after, and enjoy life beyond work. Here's what we have to offer:

  • 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy up to 5 more
  • Company Car or Cash allowance
  • Annual Bonus
  • Enhanced parental leave
  • Health cash plan from £2 a month, with everyday cashback
  • Employee Assistance Programme for support when you need it
  • Extras like flu vouchers, menopause support and health check
  • Pension with company contributions
  • Life assurance for peace of mind
  • Sharesave scheme to save each month and invest in our future
  • Structured induction from day one
  • Access to our Learning Hub and skills workshops
  • Leadership development and apprenticeship programmes
  • 30% colleague discount, plus 15% for friends and family, three times a year
  • Discounts and cashback at hundreds of retailers
  • SmartTech scheme to buy tech up to £1,000 through salary sacrifice
  • Cycle to Work scheme for bikes and accessories up to £1,500
  • Electric vehicle lease scheme with Octopus to help you save and reduce your impact
  • One paid volunteering day each year

Equal opportunities
We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and makes room for different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We turn that commitment into action through colleague networks, trusted partnerships and recognised accessibility initiatives such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. If your experience does not quite match every part of the role, we'd still love to hear from you. If you need any adjustments or additional support during the application process, please contact our Talent Team and we will be happy to help.

Senior Internal Audit Manager in London employer: DFS Furniture Ltd

At DFS Group, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee is valued and encouraged to grow. As a Quality Coordinator, you'll have access to extensive development opportunities, including the chance to work towards an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification, while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous holiday allowances, health plans, and discounts. Our culture promotes collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.

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Contact Details:

DFS Furniture Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Internal Audit Manager in London

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Internal Audit Manager in London

Professional Accounting Qualification (CMIIA, ACCA, CIMA)
Internal Audit Expertise
Risk-Based Audit Planning
Root Cause Analysis
Stakeholder Engagement
GRC Tool Implementation
Communication Skills

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How to prepare for a job interview at DFS Furniture Ltd

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