Senior Internal Audit Manager

Location: Westminster, London or Leeds

About the job

Internal Audit & Assurance Division (IAAD) is an independent assurance and advisory service. Through the management and discharge of the annual audit programme, the Head of Internal Audit provides:

• An opinion to the Accounting Officer (the Chief Executive) on risk management, control and governance;
• An advisory service to help management improve UK Export Finance’s risk management control and governance.

The Head of Internal Audit and Assurance reports independently to the Chair of the Audit Committee (AC), in respect of the audit programme and to the Chief Executive.

Role Overview

Working as part of a team, the post holder reports to the Head of Internal Audit and Assurance and provides quality assurance that the key principles of Internal Audit are being upheld within the terms and conditions of the Global Internal Audit Standards, as applicable in the UK Public Sector, Managing Public Money and other key Government / industry standards. Working at a senior level across our complex organisation, using their understanding of the corporate credit risk and operational risk environment as well as corporate lending and insurance products, the post holder will add value to the organisation, completing and overseeing risk‑based financial, operational and information systems audit coverage.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee planned audits to scope, quality, time and within budget.
• Key contributor to the development and delivery of the overall internal audit functional strategy and the ongoing assurance to the Accounting Officer and audit sponsor/s on the adequacy, reliability and effectiveness of UKEF’s risk management, control and governance processes.
• Key driver in the development and implementation of Internal Audit function methodologies, professional practices, tools, automation etc to meet and exceed relevant professional internal audit standards.
• Key driver of the ongoing internal audit universe risk assessment and audit planning process and related reporting.
• Represent internal audit at key governance fora, including on programme and project boards as necessary to advise on risk and control issues and to provide assurance in regard to adherence to relevant programme and project management standards.
• Deliver draft and final reports in line with agreed deadlines, keeping sponsors and key stakeholders informed of major issues as they arise and at key stages of fieldwork.
• Promote the role and value of the Internal Audit and Assurance services on an ongoing basis through formal and informal channels.
• Maintain and assess the quality of the audit process including issuance of terms of reference, fieldwork, testing, reporting and follow‑up.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators and insightful audit reporting to key stakeholders.
• Procure, coordinate and oversee co‑source external subject matter expertise as and when required, ensuring knowledge transfer to the division.
• Contribute to development and maintenance of the quality assurance and improvement programme within Internal Audit.
• Ongoing horizon scanning to identify and respond to relevant developments and emerging risks.
• Support and stand‑in for the Head of Internal Audit as necessary.
• Champion best practice in governance, controls and risk management.
• Maintain effective working relationships with other assurance providers within the Department and with External Audit to ensure efficient use of the total audit effort.
• Keep abreast of developments in Corporate Governance best practices and advise the business accordingly.

People Management & Development

• Manage a small team of auditors, both as line manager and through oversight on an audit project basis.
• Manage and oversee auditors through performance planning, coaching and performance appraisals.
• Hold direct reports and others accountable for managing their audit assignments to ensure the function’s goals are achieved and customers are satisfied.
• Provide ongoing feedback to the team to ensure they develop the skills and competencies required for effective planning and individual professional and personal career growth.
• Motivate and inspire the team by providing them with the information and tools they need to do their jobs well and meet stakeholder expectations.
• Deal with performance issues, discipline as necessary, ensuring functional targets and customer satisfaction are not compromised.

This list is not exhaustive; the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties according to business need.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Fully qualified CMIIA, CCAB or equivalent (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA). Copies of which will need to be supplied at interview.

Knowledge

• Practical understanding of Global Internal Audit Standards as applicable to the UK Public Sector.
• Be pragmatic and able to actively contribute to the proportional development of an effective, efficient and well‑governed organisation.
• Contribute as a key player in the development and implementation of the Internal Audit and Assurance Division functional strategy and plan.
• Corporate Banking, Insurance or wider financial services internal audit.
• Knowledge of project and change assurance and agile auditing techniques.
• Risk‑based auditing.

Skills & Ability

• Clear and effective communication skills including verbal (presentations) and written (reports).
• Influencing and negotiation ability at a senior level.
• Demonstrate a proven track record in building effective client relationships at all levels.
• Effective analytical capability combined with the ability to communicate complex positions clearly to a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to balance multiple assignments within agreed timelines.
• Be able to work with a range of clients to understand the risks to which they are exposed and display an understanding of the control strategies and structures employed.
• An independent and analytical problem solver who can challenge the status quo, express their views and make decisions.

Experience

• Considerable experience in Internal Audit at a senior level across complex organisations, with a focus on adding value to the organisation. This will cover delivery and oversight of financial, operational and information systems audits.
• Experience of working at least up to senior/executive management level.
• Substantial experience undertaking financial services internal audits, with an extensive understanding of the corporate credit risk and operational risk environment as well as corporate lending and insurance products.
• Substantial experience of managing team members’ performance and development.

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree level qualification.
• CISA/Other IT, Cyber or Project Management certifications.

Additional Knowledge

• Understanding of the management and assurance of risks in the Trade Finance sector.
• Knowledge of IT, cyber security, digital and project risks and assurance over these risks.

Additional Skills & Ability

• IT Audit skills.
• Data Analytics skills and the use of AI.

Additional Experience

• Civil Service auditing experience.
• Trade Finance experience.
• Experience of optimising the use of Data Analytics and AI to maximise data‑driven assurance and insights.
• Implementing audit automation.
• Developing Quality Assurance and Improvement Programmes.
• Oversight of the work of and managing the relationship with co‑source assurance providers.

Behaviours

• Changing and Improving.
• Making Effective Decisions.
• Leadership.
• Communicating and Influencing.

Technical Skills

• Technical - assessed across technical expertise and acumen, in relation to the essential criteria and experience of Internal Auditing.
• Technical Presentation - a short presentation, topic determined by UKEF, prepared in advance.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.