Our Client is on a mission to help save the planet. They enable and inspire public and private organisations to achieve their ambitious net-zero targets and create better places to live and work.
They deliver government funding schemes to support councils, schools, housing associations, hospitals, and universities to boost energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, save money, and remove households from fuel poverty.
Your Role
**Position: Head of Internal Audit
**Location: Manchester/Hybrid Working
This role involves developing and implementing audit strategies for both internal operations and the grant schemes
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the internal audit charter, audit strategy, and risk-based annual audit plans in consultation with senior management and ARAC.
- Design and implement audit strategies for the grant schemes delivered for DESNZ.
- Lead and manage a team of audit professionals, providing mentorship, guidance, and development opportunities.
- Manage external technical and/or specialist auditors engaged for technical audits of the grant schemes.
- Ensure quality standards in the delivery of both internal and grant audits, including review and sign-off of audit files and reports.
- Work collaboratively with senior management to use audits to improve policies and operational delivery.
- Present regular updates to senior management, ARAC, and the Board on the delivery against audit plans, audit findings, and implementation status of actions.
- Participate in ARAC meetings.
- Ensure the audit service is in line with the Government Functional Standard for Internal Audit and Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.
- Fulfill governance requirements, including audit self-assessments, external quality assessments, and maintaining updated audit manuals, templates, and guidance.
- Respond to queries from the NAO, GIAA, DESNZ, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Prepare the annual opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the governance, risk management, and control framework.
- Share relevant lessons from cross-government internal audit activity.
Qualifications and Skills
- Proven experience in audit leadership roles.
- Strong understanding of risk-based audit programs.
- Excellent reporting skills with an ability to present complex information clearly.
- Effective stakeholder management and engagement skills.
- Ability to lead and mentor a team of professionals.
- Familiarity with Government Functional Standards for Internal Audit and Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.
Why Join?
- Make a significant impact on the environment and society.
- Work with a passionate and driven team.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Flexible hybrid working model.