Internal Audit Senior Manager

To lead the Internal Audit function in alignment with the firm’s Enterprise Risk objectives, reporting to the Head of Risk Policy and Engagement with a dotted line to the Assistant General Counsel. The role is responsible for delivering the agreed Internal Audit Plan, including scoping, planning, and executing audits that assess the design and effectiveness of key controls across the international firm. The role drives a flexible, pragmatic audit methodology that supports the firm’s strategic objectives and enhances organisational resilience. The role requires a dynamic approach to audit delivery, balancing independence with a commercial mindset to ensure Internal Audit adds tangible value across the business. Through constructive engagement with stakeholders and a focus on practical, proportionate recommendations, the Internal Audit Senior Manager helps shape a modern, outcome‑focused audit function tailored to the professional services environment. This position provides both hands‑on audit delivery and strategic leadership, whilst also managing and developing a team of two Internal Audit Managers, ensuring clear audit outputs, consistent methodology, and a culture of continuous improvement. Through independent and objective assurance, the role supports Senior Management, and the Audit & Risk Committee in maintaining robust governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks across the firm.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Be responsible for the successful delivery of the audit plan for the international firm.
• Have management responsibility for two Internal Audit Managers who deliver the audit activities on a day‑to‑day basis. This will include coaching, training and overseeing the delivery of their assignments.
• Engaging with the ERM team to gain risk insight and intelligence to develop the annual risk‑based Internal Audit Plan for the international firm.
• Lead the delivery of the audit reviews across the international firm in accordance with the approved annual Internal Audit Plan ensuring technical excellence, independence and a practical/business‑driven approach.
• Support the Head of Risk Policy and Engagement and Assistant General Counsel with reporting and communications to the firm’s Senior Management and Risk & Audit Committee.
• Lead the assessment of resource/capability requirements, including co‑sourcing and monitoring of the Internal Audit team budget.
• Ensure and oversee the delivery of structured and clear internal audit reports for all completed audits detailing the agreed audit findings and management actions.
• Drive and manage regular tracking of the delivery of all agreed management actions by auditees to address and remediate audit findings, validate closure of audit actions and prepare updates for the firm’s Senior Management.
• Developing an assurance culture, where audit activity is recognized as adding value.
• Review testing and monitoring of the compliance with internal policies and procedures as well as best practice, applicable laws and regulations across the international Firm.
• Manage and oversee ad‑hoc assurance reviews and deep dives of strategic initiatives, investigations and issues as requested by the firm’s Senior Management.
• Develop Internal Audit MI for presentation and discussion in senior governance forums of DLA Piper.
• Establish and update the internal methodology, processes and templates of the Internal Audit team.
• Co‑ordination with external auditors wherever necessary to ensure appropriate audit coverage.

About you

• A qualified audit professional (ACA / ACCA / CIA) with direct internal or external audit experience from a Big 4 Accounting Firm; minimum 10 years experience.
• Experience in leading multi‑jurisdictional audit teams and having line management responsibility.
• Experience in the definition and delivery of firm‑wide Internal Audit Plans.
• Have significant experience of managing audit programmes in a complex matrix organisation.
• Experience in applying a risk‑based audit approach and adapting methodologies to suit organisational context and maturity.
• Background in working closely with Enterprise Risk Management teams or similar second‑line functions, using risk insights to shape assurance activity.
• Collaborative approach, working effectively with the ERM team to create aligned risk and assurance insights.
• Capability to balance independent assurance with a commercial, pragmatic mindset that reflects the firm’s operating environment.
• Pragmatic and solutions‑oriented, with an ability to tailor audit approaches to a law‑firm context where IA is not a regulatory requirement.
• Practical knowledge and experience of audit procedures, from scoping, planning, testing, agreement of actions and reporting of findings.
• Agile and adaptable, comfortable adjusting plans and priorities in response to business change, emerging risks, or shifting stakeholder needs.
• Strong integrity and sound judgement, upholding independence while maintaining collaborative and supportive relationships.
• Resilient and composed, capable of managing competing deadlines and engaging confidently with senior leaders.
• Experience in the tracking and oversight of the delivery of audit actions with management owners in accordance with agreed audit timescales.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, skilled at drafting structured and precise audit reports.
• Experience of working effectively with cross‑functional areas within a matrix structure.
• Be a self‑starter who is able to work on their own initiative as well as being part of a team.
• Excellent relationship management and the ability to work effectively with and influence the Board, Executive, Audit & Risk Committees, partners, fee earners and non‑lawyers.

At DLA Piper, we are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know. Recruitment team will be happy to support you.