At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver an integrated audit and assurance programme across a complex, multi-site business.
- Company: Join a leading international professional services organisation with a focus on governance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Supportive environment with clear opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Shape assurance processes and make a real impact in a high-visibility role.
- Qualifications: Experience in internal audits, strong understanding of ISO standards, and excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are working exclusively with a leading international professional services organisation to appoint an Assurance Lead. This is a high-impact role within a central governance function, offering the opportunity to shape and deliver audit and assurance activity across a complex, multi-site business.
The Role
Reporting into senior leadership, you will take ownership of coordinating and delivering an organisation-wide assurance programme across integrated management systems. Acting as an independent voice, you'll provide clear, evidence-based insight into how effectively systems and controls are operating, supporting compliance, certification, and continuous improvement. This is a varied role combining internal audit, stakeholder engagement, and external certification coordination.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning and delivery of an integrated audit and assurance programme
- Conduct internal audits (both end-to-end and targeted reviews) across business processes and systems
- Evaluate controls, documentation, and operational effectiveness, identifying risks and improvement areas
- Manage and coordinate external audits, including certification, surveillance, and recertification activity
- Act as the key point of contact for external auditors and certification bodies
- Track and report audit findings, corrective actions, and emerging themes
- Provide insight and reporting to senior stakeholders on risks, compliance, and system maturity
- Support the business with audit readiness, evidence requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Maintain clear independence from system ownership while working collaboratively across functions
About You
We're looking for an assurance, audit, or governance professional who can operate with credibility and independence in a complex environment.
- Experience delivering internal audits or assurance reviews within management systems or operational frameworks
- Strong understanding of ISO standards (e.g. 9001, 14001, 45001 or similar)
- Experience supporting or coordinating external certification audits
- Knowledge of corrective action processes and root cause analysis
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to challenge and influence constructively
- Excellent organisational and reporting capabilities
- Experience working within a multi-site or professional services environment is advantageous
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements
- Opportunity to work within a global, multidisciplinary organisation
- High-visibility role with exposure to senior leadership
- Clear scope to shape assurance processes and drive continuous improvement
- Supportive environment with strong emphasis on professional development
If you believe you have the right skill set for this role, please send your CV to my email nicole.nagra@markssattin.com or alternatively you can call me directly on 07495994855.
Assurance Lead in Manchester employer: Marks Sattin Ltd
Join a leading international professional services organisation that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a competitive salary and benefits package alongside flexible working arrangements. In this high-impact Assurance Lead role, you will have the unique opportunity to shape assurance processes while collaborating with senior leadership in a supportive environment that values continuous improvement and professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assurance Lead in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the assurance and audit space on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and engage in discussions. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on ISO standards and recent audit trends. We recommend creating a cheat sheet of key points to discuss, especially around your experience with internal audits and stakeholder engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your independence and credibility during interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you've effectively managed audits and influenced stakeholders. This will help you stand out as a strong candidate for the Assurance Lead role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Assurance Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Assurance Lead role. Highlight your experience with internal audits, ISO standards, and stakeholder engagement. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this high-impact role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in audit and assurance that demonstrate your capabilities.
Showcase Your Independence:Since this role requires an independent voice, make sure to emphasise your ability to operate autonomously while still collaborating effectively. We love seeing candidates who can balance independence with teamwork!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks Sattin Ltd
✨Know Your Standards
Familiarise yourself with ISO standards relevant to the role, like 9001, 14001, and 45001. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these standards and how you can apply them in the assurance programme.
✨Showcase Your Audit Experience
Prepare specific examples of internal audits or assurance reviews you've conducted. Highlight your role in planning, executing, and reporting on these audits, as well as any improvements that resulted from your findings.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Think about how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past. Be prepared to share strategies for influencing and challenging constructively, as this will be key in your new role.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Be ready to discuss how you've contributed to continuous improvement initiatives in previous roles. Share examples of how you've identified risks and implemented corrective actions to enhance operational effectiveness.
