Lead Auditor

Our client, a well-recognised international trade association, is seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Auditor to join their Head Office team in Ashford, Kent. This is an exciting opportunity for a quality and audit professional to play a key role in maintaining and enhancing a robust global audit programme within an internationally respected organisation.

The successful candidate will work across the Quality Department and Corporate Membership Services Department, supporting internal and third-party audit activities and ensuring compliance with governance, policy, and internationally recognised standards.

The Role

The Lead Auditor will support the Quality Manager in delivering and continuously improving the organisation’s internal and third-party audit programme using a risk-based approach. You will help ensure audit activities remain professional, effective, and compliant, while identifying opportunities for improvement and driving positive change across the audit function. The role also includes coordination and support of a global audit team, producing reports and recommendations, conducting internal audits, and helping maintain ISO-aligned quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all audits are conducted in accordance with governance, policies, procedures, and ISO 17024 standards.
• Support and monitor audit team objectives and performance.
• Coordinate and manage global audit activities and resolve audit-related queries.
• Perform internal audits and document findings clearly and accurately.
• Produce concise audit reports highlighting concerns, risks, trends, and recommendations.
• Conduct trend analysis and use audit outcomes to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collate, analyse, and present audit performance data and metrics.
• Review audit reports and communicate required amendments effectively.
• Produce and maintain audit-related procedures, documentation, and bulletins.
• Manage feedback processes and follow up on audit findings to ensure timely resolution.
• Promote quality improvement across the audit team and wider organisation.
• Identify and report significant findings and risks to management.
• Assist with audit team recruitment and support training and development activities.
• Provide guidance and training to auditors and staff on audit best practice.
• Support research and improvement initiatives relating to audit systems, software, and reporting processes.
• Assist with ad hoc projects and office duties as required.

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a lead audit role.
• Strong experience of internal and third-party audit methodologies and techniques, including audit planning, audit scheduling, resource allocation, audit report writing, and classification of audit outcomes.
• Experience managing auditors and audit teams.
• Experience within Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Strong analytical skills with experience collating and presenting audit data and metrics.
• Experience of continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to interpret technical standards, procedures, and reports.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience delivering training and guidance to staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Good numeracy and statistical analysis skills.
• Familiarity with risk assessments.
• Excellent IT skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, video conferencing platforms, and quality management software.
• Working knowledge of ISO 19011.

Desirable

• Experience working with external quality assurance agencies, professional bodies, or collaborative partners.
• Experience with ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 17024, and ISO 17021 standards.
• Experience in process improvement and audit system development.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional or vocational qualification.
• Recognised professional Internal Auditor qualification (essential).
• Recognised professional Lead Auditor qualification (essential).
• Membership of a professional audit-related body such as IRCA/CQI (desirable).

Membership Bespoke positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.