Job Description

About the role

This role sits within Advisory, which supports organisations as they manage risk, improve performance and respond to change. You will join a well-established and growing public sector practice that delivers outsourced and co-sourced internal audit services, alongside grants assurance work for relevant portfolios.

You will manage a portfolio of engagements from planning through to completion, working directly with senior client stakeholders and coordinating delivery across the team. The role involves regular collaboration at client sites and in the office, with working arrangements shaped by client and team needs.

Roles and responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of internal audit and, where relevant, grants assurance engagements, ensuring work is well planned, coordinated and delivered to a high standard.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, communicate findings clearly and support constructive discussions on complex or sensitive issues.
• Manage several assignments at different stages, balancing priorities, resources, deadlines and changing client requirements.
• Oversee engagement teams, review work and provide practical coaching that supports colleagues to develop and deliver confidently.
• Manage senior client relationships, present findings, produce quarterly Audit Committee papers and keep Partners and Directors informed of significant matters.
• Turn audit and assurance findings into clear, proportionate recommendations that help clients strengthen governance, risk management and controls.
• Take ownership of client accounts, maintaining effective communication and identifying opportunities to improve service delivery.
• Contribute to business development by building relationships, supporting proposals and helping the team grow its public sector portfolio.
• Work collaboratively across the wider practice, sharing knowledge and supporting a consistent, inclusive and high-quality client experience.

Experience and skills needed

• Demonstrable experience of leading internal audit engagements for external clients, including planning, delivery, reporting and follow-up.
• Demonstrable experience delivering internal audits from initial planning through completion, including assurance, controls, risk management or corporate compliance work.
• Experience operating at manager level, with responsibility for engagement delivery, quality, budgets, resources and client relationships.
• A strong track record of managing a varied portfolio of concurrent assignments and adapting plans as priorities change.
• Experience communicating assurance findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders, including when messages are challenging.
• Evidence of coaching, reviewing and developing team members while maintaining high standards of delivery.

Qualifications required

A relevant professional qualification, such as Institute of Internal Auditors, Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, or an equivalent qualification.