Group Director of Assurance in Oxford

As Director of Assurance you will be responsible for identifying, prioritising, and managing risks.

This will include ensuring financial and operational controls are operating efficiently and effectively, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws, corporate governance standards and to the Group ethical policies.

Key to this is providing independent assurance to the Audit Committee, Chief Executive and Group Finance Director.

We are the world’s largest university press.

We have both a worldwide reach and a personal understanding of local needs, partnering on the ground to adapt publications and resources to meet the individual needs of communities, societies, and countries.

We partner with researchers, educators, and technology partners to stay ahead of the changing ways people around the world are accessing and sharing knowledge.

With a presence in more than 50 countries and millions of customers around the world, an idea launched at OUP can have global impact.

Key accountabilities

• Develop and maintain an assurance strategy for the Press.
• Deliver, through the Group Internal Audit (GIA) team, assignments from the audit plan to a high standard and within targeted deadlines and budgets, producing clear and concise audit reports.
• Define and maintain the corporate risk management framework.
• Supervise the Group Risk Manager in arranging Group level insurance cover for a cross section of risk classes as required by Ex Co.
• Coordinate the follow-up with management on progress on all audit recommendations made in previous audit reports.
• Take responsibility for specific organisational projects including internal GIA projects and those allocated by the Audit or Finance Committees or senior OUP management.
• Support management in the development of processes, systems, data and reference documentation by providing independent advice on controls design and risk management.
• Prepare strategic and operational audit plans, through interaction with senior management (including Ex Co members), together with a sound understanding of OUP's business strategy and associated risks.
• Oversee, as well as contribute personally to, the development of team members.

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.

About You

• Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA or ACCA)
• Experience of working as a senior manager or director in a multi-national audit (internal or external) team focused on evaluating systems and processes, identifying weaknesses, and making practical recommendations.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills. Excellent track record in motivating and developing professional direct reports.
• Solid understanding of internal control structures and risk management frameworks, and current governance standards and their practical implementation within a business.

Experience of working with other assurance providers to deliver integrated, co-ordinated or aligned assurance for large, complex organisations.

• Experience of providing input on the development and implementation of controls as part of enterprise-wide projects and programmes.
• Experience of commissioning and managing providers of co-sourced and out-sourced internal audit services.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Proven ability and confidence to interact effectively and influence people at all levels including Board (Ex Co) management.
• Proactive, flexible “can do” mind‑set which is able to cope with changing and competing priorities.
• Willing and able to travel overseas on a regular basis and work, either alone or supervising the GIA team, in unfamiliar environments.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver against stretching deadlines.
• Excellent report writing skills underpinned by the ability to draft clear and succinct audit points and recommendations to produce impactful reports.

Able to coach direct reports to deliver similar high standard reports.

• Operational experience as a Finance professional in a complex, multi-national “blue chip” business.
• Working knowledge of SAP and experience in using Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs), data analytics, and audit management software.
• Previous experience in the publishing industry.
• Fluency in relevant additional languages.

We believe that the skills you bring to OUP are just a starting point.

We want you to have the opportunity to expand your abilities, and innovate and develop in areas which both interest you, and support your aspirations.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive.

We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.

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