Head of Internal Audit

We are seeking a Head of Internal Audit to lead AJ Bell’s Internal Audit function through a combination of assurance reviews and independent consulting, ensuring the function operates according to a balanced approach which is both pragmatic and aligned to the risk profile of the company. You will ensure the function provides to the business effective, independent assurance that AJ Bell’s risk management, governance and internal control processes are operating effectively, providing members of the Board and senior management with assurance that helps them to fulfil their duties to the business, its customers, and its stakeholders, including the regulator. The successful job holder will be responsible for managing the Internal Audit co-source partner relationships and to leverage subject matter expertise. As Head of Internal Audit, you will be an FCA authorised person performing the SMF5 function. Key responsibilities: Assurance Development and delivery of an Annual Internal Audit Plan, for review and approval by the Audit Committee each year, monitoring progress against the Plan. The Plan will consider: Outputs from the Business Planning process, including review of key risks, SWOT analysis and plans for each business area. Consideration of current/prior year’s Internal Audit topics, coverage, and findings. Consideration of the outputs from the Combined Assurance Model (CAM) and the findings from reviews conducted over the preceding years. Input from the co-sourced provider(s), in relation to the external landscape. Any guidance, from the FRC or FCA setting out their expectations of Internal Audit functions. The guidance and recommendations from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors. Execution of the audits and the production of the final reports, setting out the findings and agreed actions, for review by the Audit Committee. Ensuring a consistent focus on deep dives into key business processes, making use of cross-functional resources with more knowledge and experience of the business and its systems and processes. Proactively identifying weaknesses in controls across the business before issues arise. Monitoring and validating the completion of agreed actions, escalating, if required. Providing an annual report to the Audit Committee on the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function and making recommendations for changes and improvements. Oversight of the CAM and responsible for reporting annually to the Audit Committee as to its effectiveness along with recommendations for improvements. Consulting Benchmarking AJ Bell’s risk management and control frameworks and policies against its peers and to make recommendations for improvement, using external industry knowledge and experience. Horizon scanning for future risks, accessing resources with broad financial services and adjacent market knowledge and experience. Provide review and challenge to change projects. Actively engage with management to support and encourage ongoing improvement in systems and controls and the drive for greater efficiency. Other Selecting and managing the co-sourced Internal Audit resource providers, including monitoring the quality of their work and costs. Attend both Executive Risk Committee (ERC) and Operational Committee (OpCo) meetings, providing updates on the activities of the Internal Audit function. What we're looking for Significant experience in an audit role at senior management level, within a regulated financial services environment. Professional experience and good working knowledge of pensions/investment management is desirable. Prior experience performing the SMF5 function is desirable but not essential. Relevant professional qualifications/accreditations, e.g. ACA/ACCA/IIA/CFA/FRM. Experience of working closely with Audit Committees and Boards. Strong knowledge and understanding of UK regulated financial services and FCA requirements. Effective people skills to lead, manage and develop an Internal Audit team. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Action-orientation; a strong focus on getting things done. About us AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone. We have over 542,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £86.5 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures. Our perks and benefits Holiday entitlement of 28 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service Holiday buy and sell scheme Choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 8% Discretionary bonus scheme Annual free share awards scheme Buy As You Earn Scheme Health Cash Plan - provided by SimplyHealth Private healthcare scheme and dental plan Free gym membership, with an on-site gym providing a range of free classes Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental leave Death in service scheme Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice Calendar of social events, including monthly socials, annual Christmas and Summer party and much more Parking at Exchange Quay (subject to availability) Peer recognition scheme Hybrid working At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build relationships with your colleagues. AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.

Location: Manchester, GB

Posted Date: 1/15/2025