Head of Audit Finance and central functions

Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions. Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions. Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent. We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer workplace accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

Main Purpose of Role

Responsible for the provision of independent, reliable, and objective risk-based assurance on the overall effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes relating to Group Finance, Risk & Compliance (R&C), and Central Functions. Internal Audit is an independent, objective assurance function that is critical to meeting the organisation's business ambitions while also protecting the interests of customers. This is achieved by ensuring that internal control, risk management, and governance frameworks are consistently effective and fit for purpose.

Role Description

As Head of Audit for Group Finance, Risk & Compliance (R&C) and Central Functions, you will drive the delivery of meaningful improvements across the respective business areas through high-quality audit activity and strong stakeholder engagement. The role involves close coordination with other members of the Audit Senior Leadership Team, particularly the Life Audit Director, where activities involve finance, risk, compliance, or actuarial functions. As a member of the Internal Audit Leadership Team, you will contribute to achieving the function's vision of "Trusted partner, protecting what matters." This will be accomplished through leadership of the Group Finance, R&C, and Central Functions audit plan, delivery of audit outcomes, management of actions, workstream changes, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned to the function's winning mindsets approach.

This role is critical in managing Audit Risk across the portfolio, specifically:

• The risk that the right areas are not audited - managed through robust risk assessment and annual risk-based planning.
• The risk that issues are not identified - managed through strong execution of risk-based audits and quality controls.
• The risk that management does not respond adequately to audit observations - managed through effective follow-up and issue assurance.
• The risk that Internal Audit is not trusted or respected by management - managed through the quality of work delivered and adherence to fit and proper standards.

Key Responsibilities

Audit Assurance

• Deliver independent audit assurance across Group Finance, Risk & Compliance, and Central Functions.

Risk Assessment and Risk-Based Planning

• Lead meetings with senior stakeholders, including Non-Executive Directors and regulators where required, to present and agree the risk-based audit planning approach and audit scope.
• Perform and maintain risk assessments across the portfolio to inform the annual audit plan, including periodic reassessment to reflect emerging risks.
• Work closely with audit teams to ensure audit plans focus on key risks and controls, with scope clearly documented in agreed Terms of Reference.

Audit Performance

• Oversee the delivery of a portfolio of audits, ensuring audit strategies meet objectives and are executed to a high standard.
• Ensure effective coordination of audit activity across communities and optimal use of Internal Audit resources.
• Apply a risk-based approach to planning and execution, including innovation through the use of technology and data analytics.
• Review audit files and working papers supporting Very High or High-rated issues, ensuring consistency with Internal Audit methodology and documentation standards, including use of TeamMate.
• Identify and manage conflicts of interest risks within Internal Audit.
• Oversee issue assurance activities, including timely escalation of disputes or concerns.
• Ensure compliance with Internal Audit professional standards, internal policies, decision-making frameworks, and reporting requirements, including embedding outcomes of QA reviews.
• Act on feedback from post-audit debriefs to drive continuous improvement.

Audit Reporting

• Oversee audits led by Squad Leads to ensure:

• Audit findings, observations, and insights are clearly discussed with management and escalated appropriately.
• Final audit reports are objective, proportionate, and accurately reflect audit outcomes.

Stakeholder Management

• Own relationships with designated GEC members, ensuring effective allocation of relationship management across their teams.
• Participate in meetings with Senior Management, Non-Executive Directors, and Regulators (FCA and PRA) to present Internal Audit activity and outcomes.
• Maintain credibility and trust through integrity, professionalism, and respectful challenge.
• Build strong operational-level relationships, providing guidance and constructive challenge while supporting business growth and commercial performance.
• Monitor and challenge progress against management action plans to ensure timely and effective remediation.

Team Management

• Develop a high-performing, engaged audit team with a strong growth mindset.
• Empower teams to make risk-based decisions that inform audit planning and scope.
• Oversee development of audit team members through coaching, mentoring, training, and constructive feedback.
• Actively promote and sponsor development opportunities across the wider Internal Audit function and relevant communities.

Qualifications and Competencies

Market Knowledge / Business Strategy

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. Actuary, Accountant, or Auditor) with significant post-qualification experience.
• Extensive experience in Internal Audit or audit monitoring functions and strong knowledge of industry best practice.
• Proven experience managing teams of professionals or technical experts.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with senior management and regulators.
• Strong understanding of M&G products, markets, and competitive environment.

Technical Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of:

• Risk management, governance, and internal control frameworks.
• Regulatory expectations, trends, and supervisory practices.
• Financial reporting systems and controls within a financial services group.
• The key risks facing the organisation and experience auditing corresponding risk frameworks and controls.
• Board- and Committee-level engagement and regulatory interaction.
• A wide range of audit frameworks covering financial and non-financial risk.

Leadership and Influencing Skills

• Strong organisational awareness with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to energise and align diverse stakeholder groups.
• Leads by example and drives delivery against the function's mandate.
• Focused on mindset change and embedding high-performance ways of working.
• Passionate about people development; inspires others and contributes to the wider people agenda.
• Ensures effective processes are in place to comply with legal, statutory, and regulatory requirements, including monitoring and reporting obligations.

What we offer

At M&G, we're committed to helping you thrive and supporting your wellbeing, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life, while planning confidently for your future. Our UK benefits include:

• A valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions.
• Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services.
• 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy.
• Our market leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave.
• Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options.

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks. M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions. If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at: careers@mandg.com