Policy Specialist (Audits and Technology) in Birmingham

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of audit in the UK within a leading independent regulator for audit, reporting and governance at a pivotal moment of technological change. As a Policy Specialist, you will play a key role in developing policy and guidance on the use of emerging technologies, including AI - within audit and assurance. Working at the intersection of audit, regulation and innovation, you will help ensure technology is adopted in a way that enhances audit quality and supports economic growth. You will contribute to a high-profile and evolving policy agenda, translating complex technical developments into clear, practical guidance for the audit profession. This role offers exposure to international standard-setting bodies, senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams across the regulatory landscape. This position is ideal for candidates with a background in audit, accounting policy, or technology/AI policy who are keen to step into a forward-looking role where intellectual curiosity, writing ability and stakeholder engagement are critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the drafting of guidance on the application of technology in audit, including AI and emerging tools.
• Translate complex technical and policy concepts into clear, practical and accessible written outputs.
• Engage with audit firms, technology providers, regulators and international bodies to gather insight and influence thinking.
• Contribute to the development of UK audit and assurance policy in response to technological change.
• Support and influence international standard setters across audit, assurance and ethics.
• Collaborate across internal teams to ensure a consistent regulatory approach to audit technology.
• Monitor developments in AI and other emerging technologies, assessing implications for audit quality and standards.
• Build and maintain a strong professional network across the audit, regulatory and technology landscape.

Skills & Experience Required

• Essential
• Qualified accountant or demonstrable expertise in technology / AI policy.
• Strong understanding of auditing and ethical standards in the UK or strong understanding of technology policy frameworks.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies relevant to audit, particularly AI (including generative or agentic AI).
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex ideas.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders across professional, regulatory or technical environments.
• Ability to interpret technical material and distil underlying principles into policy-relevant outputs.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Desirable
• Experience within a regulator, standard setter, Big 4 firm or central policy function.
• Understanding of how technology is applied in audit and associated policy challenges.
• Experience contributing to policy development or standard-setting processes.
• Exposure to international working groups or cross-border regulatory environments.
• Interest in AI governance, AI safety or emerging regulatory frameworks.

Person Specification

• Outstanding written communicator.
• Intellectually curious, with a strong interest in emerging technology.
• Proactive and adaptable, able to operate in a developing policy area.
• Strong analytical thinker, comfortable working with nuanced and complex topics.
• Confident engaging and influencing a wide range of stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player, able to work effectively in a flat team structure.
• Open to development and stepping into a growing, evolving policy discipline.

You will join a high-impact policy function within a UK regulator, working at the forefront of thinking on technology in audit and assurance. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new and rapidly emerging policy area at the intersection of audit and AI, with significant scope for growth and professional development.

The organisation offers:

• A progressive and high-profile regulatory environment.
• Opportunities to contribute to international standard setting.
• A strong commitment to flexibility and work/life balance.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture with clear public interest purpose.