Head of Internal Audit in City of London

• 75B, Verde, 10 Bressenden Pl Westminster London SW1E 5DH
• Hello, we’re Pret

Proud makers of freshly made food, organic coffee and big ideas.

Across 750+ shops and 20+ countries, our teams are shaping the future of Pret through innovation, inclusion, great customer service and a shared passion for doing the right thing.

We’re growing fast on our mission to be the hospitality employer of choice everywhere we operate – so it’s an exciting time to hop on board.

Growing good things

Pret is where passionate, hardworking, wonderful people (like you!) find what they need to shine.

Growth is at the heart of everything we do – from supporting our people to grow in confidence and skills to pursue their unique paths, to figuring out how to make our food and coffee even more delicious and accessible.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a Head of Internal Audit to lead a small, high-performing function providing independent assurance over governance, risk management and internal control across a complex, multi-jurisdiction group.

Reporting to the Group Finance Director, you will focus assurance on Pret’s most principal risks, while keeping the audit plan responsive to business change.

Key responsibilities

Set a risk-led direction

Develop and maintain a proportionate Internal Audit Strategy and rolling risk-based plan, prioritising principal risks alongside financial, operational and technology risks.

Provide independent assurance to the Group Finance Director, Audit Committee and senior leadership on the design and effectiveness of governance, risk management and controls.

Maintain the Internal Audit Charter, methodology and quality framework. Keep the plan flexible, reprioritising as risks emerge and business priorities change.

• Deliver assurance on priority risks
• Provide assurance that food safety governance, supplier assurance and incident management are effective, using specialist co‑source support where needed.
• Assess franchisee compliance with agreements and brand standards, including the accuracy of sales and royalty reporting.
• Assess Pret’s fraud risk assessment and anti‑fraud controls and use data analytics to detect anomalies and strengthen prevention.
• Lead or support investigations into fraud, misconduct and Code of Conduct matters, maintaining independence from management.
• Provide assurance over major transformation programmes and system implementations.
• Strengthen risk management and governance
• Oversee and support the development of Pret’s enterprise risk management approach on behalf of the Board.
• Provide an independent view of the effectiveness of risk identification, assessment, mitigation and reporting.
• Advise senior leaders on evolving strategic and operational risks, including cyber security, technology, ESG, supply chain and regulatory change.
• Support the Audit Committee Chair and members with clear reporting, insight and guidance in line with the Committee’s terms of reference.
• Contribute to due diligence, crisis preparedness and other priority risk or governance activity when required.
• Be a trusted, independent adviser
• Offer practical advice on risk and control without taking on management responsibility for the controls reviewed.
• Support the Audit Committee Chair and the development of Pret’s risk management approach.
• Build and lead the function
• Shape the operating model, including the balance of in-house and co‑sourced capability.
• Own the Internal Audit budget, forecast and cost centre, ensuring resources are deployed effectively against the highest areas of risk.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, curiosity, challenge and constructive partnership.
• What success looks like
• The Audit Committee receives timely, decision‑useful assurance on food safety, franchise and fraud risk.
• Fraud and franchise‑compliance issues are identified earlier, and agreed actions are closed on time.
• Internal Audit is seen as independent, credible and commercially relevant.

Experience and Skills required

• Internal audit experience gained in a complex, multi‑site or international organisation, including leadership at Head of Internal Audit level or as a senior deputy ready to step into a first head role.
• A strong track record of designing and delivering risk‑based audit plans across financial, operational and technology areas.
• Experience working with Boards, Audit Committees, executive leaders and external auditors.
• Demonstrable experience of enterprise risk management, control improvement and organisational change.
• Consumer, retail, hospitality, logistics or distribution experience would be advantageous, but is not essential.
• Knowledge and qualifications
• A relevant professional qualification such as CIA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, FCA or CISA, or equivalent experience and sector expertise.
• Strong knowledge of internal audit standards, corporate governance, risk management and internal control frameworks.
• A good understanding of financial and operational controls, together with awareness of emerging areas such as cyber, technology, data and ESG risk.
• Confidence using data analytics and technology‑enabled audit methods, or a clear track record of introducing them into an audit function.
• Leadership style
• Independent and objective, with the confidence to challenge constructively at the most senior levels.
• Commercially minded and pragmatic, able to distinguish material risk from lower‑value process issues.
• Clear and persuasive in writing and in person, translating complex findings into focused decisions and actions.
• Collaborative and relationship‑led, while protecting the independence of the function.
• Curious, resilient and comfortable operating through ambiguity and change.
• A thoughtful people leader who sets direction, develops capability and creates accountability.
• Life at Pret
• In the office

Our offices are where teams come together to collaborate, connect and bring great ideas to life. Wherever you're based, you'll find:

• Individual ways to grow: fully funded professional qualifications, leadership development and informal and formal mentoring
• Diversity & belonging: Everyone’s welcome at Pret – you’ll be valued for who you are and supported to feel confident in yourself and your skills
• Pace & variety: Build a diverse skillset, meet some new people and learn (a LOT)
• Community & purpose: We work together to creative positive change through the Pret Foundation

Our values

• Be kind, honest and generous: bring genuine warmth and your authentic self to work every day
• Bring your passion: share our passion for food and exceptional customer service
• Spread joy every day: small acts of kindness are a big part of what makes the Pret experience special
• The perks
• A Gold Card! That means when you’re in the office, your food and drinks are on us. And when you’re not, you get 5 free drinks a day and 50% off everything else
• 33-38 days of annual leave (increasing with service)
• Free private medical aid cover – with the option to add a loved one
• 4-5% pension contribution (increasing with service)
• Life assurance at 3x your annual salary
• Loyalty awards to celebrate every 5 years you’re with us
• And more – think: a flexible benefits platform, season ticket loans, a healthcare cash plan, mortgage services, financial wellbeing provisions, option to take a sabbatical after 3 years and opportunities to support our incredible charity, the Pret Foundation.
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