Head of Internal Audit

Our client is a fast-growth, new challenger bank in the UK market. With substantial backing and a proven leadership team, they offer specialist lending products to SMEs, who are typically underserved by the high street banks with a customer focused approach.

As they continue to grow, we now have a great opportunity to join them as their Head of Internal Audit. The internal audit function will be responsible for providing an independent, objective assurance function utilising a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes in the bank. The function will provide independent assurance to the Board as to the effectiveness of the controls across the Bank.

Role Responsibilities:

• Development and on-going monitoring of an annual risk-based audit plan (the plan) and an annual budget for approval at the Board Audit Committee.
• Delivery of the annual audit plan within budget and agreed SLAs.
• Providing periodic opinions on the overall effectiveness of the governance, culture, and risk and control framework across the Bank.
• Issuing regular reports to the Board Audit Committee and other relevant Boards and Committees regarding progress of the plan and budget, emerging risks and trends and the level of overdue audit actions and failed validations (audit actions which cannot be verified as complete).
• Ensuring the adequacy of resource levels, knowledge and experience within the Internal Audit function to support the delivery of effective and independent assurance.
• Development and utilisation of a robust audit methodology, which meets the requirements of the Institute of Internal Audit Standards and good practice.
• Providing leadership to the Internal Audit function in line with the Vision, Strategy, policies, regulations and Values and Behaviours of the Bank.
• Supporting management across the Bank in improving the effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal controls.
• Ensuring that audit findings are accurately recorded, tracked and validated and that management provide meaningful and realistic actions (time and activity) to close any audit issues
• Inspiring and engaging others through role modelling the Corporate Values and Behaviours across and beyond own area of responsibility and challenging examples of unacceptable behaviour.
• Ensuring that people management practices are implemented in accordance with the Bank’s people management policies procedures and culture.
• Development and delivery of the Internal Audit Strategy and Vision.

Skills & Experience required:

• At least 10 years’ experience in a senior role within Financial Services (Audit/Risk/Governance).
• Good knowledge of internal auditing, the IIA standards (mandatory for bank auditing) and experience in delivering audit programmes and working with management and Board Audit Committee on how much auditing to do, and effective closure of audit findings.
• Strong customer centricity and appreciation of changes in customer behaviour.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills such that they can convey complex issues and their related solutions with clarity and incisiveness.
• Experience of regularly managing situations where the interpretation and communication of complex and/or sensitive information is required.
• Ability to negotiate with Senior Management by utilising knowledge (both business and technical subject areas).
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage own workloads to deliver department objectives, including SLAs.
• A proven ability to develop and maintain independence and effective working relationships, both internally and externally, in order to support the achievement of working objectives.
• Extensive experience using appropriate/differing leadership styles responsive to the requirements of the situation in order to achieve a desired outcome.
• Evidence of managing own personal development (both technical and softer skills).

Behaviours:

• Demonstrates integrity.
• Demonstrates competence and due professional care.
• Is objective and free from undue influence (independent).
• Aligns with the strategies, objectives, and risks of the organisation.
• Appropriately positioned and adequately resourced.
• Demonstrates quality and continuous improvement.
• Communicates effectively.
• Provides risk-based assurance.
• Is insightful, proactive, and future-focused.
• Promotes organisational improvement.

Desirable Qualifications:

• ACMA OR ACCA qualified
• Previous approval as SMF5 in a Bank
• Professional Membership – Institute of Internal Auditors (iia)

Why should you apply?

• Established and growing Challenger Bank
• Opportunity to help shape things as they grow
• Fantastic inclusive and supportive culture
• Excellent salary and benefits package
• Working with a top quality team who are reputable across the industry

To apply please submit your CV to this job advert.