Value for Money Senior Manager

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance.

We’re recruiting for Value for Money Senior Managers to join our growing national team. These roles are ideal for individuals with strong analytical and communication skills, experience in project and people management, and a talent for producing impactful reports. Whether you come from a background in value for money auditing, performance auditing, internal audit, or analytical roles in sectors like the NHS or Local Government, we welcome applications from those with transferable skills and a passion for public value.

As a Senior Manager, you’ll lead or support the delivery of VFM reviews from planning through to client fieldwork and reporting. You’ll apply both quantitative and qualitative analysis, work closely with sector specialists and financial statement teams, and communicate complex findings clearly to a wide range of audiences. These roles offer the opportunity to shape meaningful insights, influence public sector improvement, and grow your career in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

As a VFM Audit Senior Manager, you will lead the delivery of high‑quality value for money reviews, ensuring projects are scoped, planned and executed effectively. You will manage complex stakeholder relationships, oversee team performance, and ensure that deliverables meet both internal standards and client expectations. You will play a key role in coaching and developing team members, driving continuous improvement and promoting inclusive leadership.

• Lead assigned VFM audits, taking full responsibility for quality, timeliness and budget adherence.
• Define project scope, goals and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain individual project plans, proactively identifying risks and managing overruns effectively.
• Ensure documentation and reporting are completed to a high standard with minimal review points.
• Prepare and present internal moderation submissions and AARs (Auditor’s Annual Reports), including to client audit committees when required.

• Drive team performance, promote a collaborative culture and ensure the team pulls together to deliver impactful outcomes across the portfolio.
• Lead and support graduate and assistant manager work, ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities.
• Coach and mentor team members, providing development opportunities and managing performance.
• Role‑model team behaviours and foster an inclusive, collaborative working environment.
• Lead initial scoping meetings with audit teams, escalating key issues appropriately.

• Manage complex scheduling across multiple stakeholders, ensuring smooth engagement and timely meetings.
• Lead client interviews and support team members in their delivery.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates to the portfolio holder and audit team throughout the review.

• Lead the delivery of VFM work to time and budget, managing your own workload and overseeing others to ensure efficiency, cost control and quality outcomes.
• Review work completed by others, ensuring integrity between documentation, key findings and evidence.
• Address review points to a satisfactory standard and ensure team contributions are cohesive and impactful.
• Ensure compliance with internal deadlines, mandatory training and time recording policies, achieving the required quality grading each year and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

• Understand the pipeline of work to ensure goals are met and identify opportunities for additional capacity.
• Support the directors in identifying and mitigating portfolio and team risks.
• Promote the VFM team internally and externally, identifying opportunities for growth and additional services where appropriate.
• Drive continuous improvement through efficiencies, best practices and thought leadership.

• Lead inclusively, ensuring all team members have a voice and contribute meaningfully.
• Champion the firm’s inclusion policy and lead initiatives that foster a diverse and respectful workplace.
• Address inappropriate behaviour in line with the firm’s policy.
• Role‑model inclusive and collaborative behaviours, contributing to a positive team culture.

• Proven recent experience in leading audit or assurance projects, ideally within a VFM or public sector context.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to coach, develop and manage performance within a team.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Familiarity with audit methodologies and Microsoft Office tools, including documentation and reporting.
• Ability to work independently, taking ownership of project delivery and leading others with clarity and purpose.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.