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Job Details
Associate Director – Audit, Controls & Assurance
Salary: £92,995 - £104,484
Location: Dudley, West Midlands – on site
Employer: Dudley Council
Be the change. Lead the future. Improve lives.
Dudley Council is seeking an outstanding individual to join our senior leadership team as the Associate Director for Audit, Controls & Assurance. This high-impact, high-profile role is central to the Council's improvement journey, focusing on upholding the highest standards of governance and championing continuous improvement.
You will drive strategic and operational change, work closely with Directors and Group Directors, and lead internal audit, assurance, and controls functions. You will report independently to the Audit Committee and support the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer, and Section 151 Officer to safeguard the Council’s governance and operational integrity.
You will be part of the Council’s senior leadership team, driving the transformation agenda by maximising technology and automation, fostering a culture of high performance, and ensuring modernised, efficient services that prioritise customers.
Key Responsibilities
* Fulfil the statutory role of Chief Internal Auditor, leading an independent, risk-based audit programme compliant with PSIAS and CIPFA codes.
* Provide expert tactical leadership and advice to managers and senior leaders, supporting delivery against corporate priorities and governance standards.
* Ensure robust internal controls and assurance systems, promoting transparency, ethical governance, and compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.
* Lead counter fraud efforts, managing proactive and reactive investigations including corporate, procurement, housing, and benefits fraud.
* Oversee the Council’s corporate health and safety strategy, ensuring compliance and cultural embedding across services.
* Support the Audit Committee & Standards Committee, delivering training and ensuring committee effectiveness in governance oversight.
* Collaborate closely with procurement, commissioning, and contract management teams to ensure best value and measurable impact.
* Drive organisational transformation by supporting the delivery of the Council Improvement Programme and embedding the new operating model.
* Champion evidence-based decision making, financial management, and effective leadership behaviours.
* Manage designated budgets and performance systems to optimise resources and deliver value for money.
* Participate in corporate resilience, emergency planning, and business continuity.
* Build and nurture strategic partnerships across sectors to enhance service delivery and innovation
* Lead on the operational delivery of risk management
You will bring credibility, compassion, and courage — with the ability to lead transformation, inspire teams, and work collaboratively across our Groups and partners through: -
* Proven experience in public sector internal audit and assurance leadership, ideally including Chief Internal Auditor responsibilities.
* Expertise in governance, risk management, and counter fraud with a strong understanding of PSIAS, CIPFA, and IIA standards.
* A strategic mindset with a track record of driving transformation through technology, process redesign, and culture change.
* Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
* Integrity and a commitment to the Nolan Principles of public life.
* Ability to provide clear, insightful advice to senior leaders and elected members.
Why Dudley?
Dudley is a borough on the rise — ambitious, inclusive and committed to change. Join us and play a central role in helping our residents live healthier, more independent lives. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of the Council, working at the forefront of innovation and governance. Be part of a leadership team committed to improving services, efficiency, and customer experience for our community.
Apply now and be part of something that truly makes a difference. For more information please visit:
https://www.dudleycounciljobs.org.uk/
For an informal discussion please contact Aftab Razzaq, Director - Legal, Compliance & Assurance/Council Monitoring Officer via Jo Cook – Joanne.Cook@dudley.gov.uk
Application Process
Applications close: Thursday 18th September 2025.
The recruitment process will be to undertake technical interviews with longlisted applicants to confirm the shortlist. Short listed candidates will be invited to assessment centres and attend final interviews. Please indicate any periods you are unavailable.
So that we can demonstrate Dudley’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to improve bias in the recruitment process that could create barriers for candidates. Your personal data will be anonymised when you apply, to ensure that you comply with our anonymisation process, please ensure you have removed your name and date of birth from any attachments prior to uploading them to your application.
Online application forms will only be accepted for this vacancy, online facilities for jobs are available at public libraries within the Dudley Borough.
All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.
Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.
If you require support completing an online or paper application form and or interview techniques, please contact Dudley Adult and Community Learning on 01384 818 143 or acl@dudley.gov.uk who can support with Digital Skills and Job Applications.
If you have a disability and require assistance in making an application please contact the HR Resourcing Team via HR.Resourcing@dudley.gov.uk
If you are experiencing a problem whilst applying for a position, please follow the link below to the WM Jobs Help Page in the first instance https://help.wmjobs.co.uk/
If the WM Jobs Help Page does not resolve your issue then please contact the HR Resourcing Team via HR.Resourcing@dudley.gov.uk
Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness. The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.
The Council’s full Privacy and Disclaimer Statement can be accessed on the website at https://www.dudley.gov.uk/privacy-disclaimer-statement/
N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications
Attached documents
Job Description & Person Specification
Employee Benefits List - Final v2.pdf
Company
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You’ll first need to register and create a profile the first time you apply.
Creating your profile will enable you do things such as track your application progress, view emails you’ve received from us and manage communication preferences, manage your interview bookings and offer information if successful.
About Dudley Council
It’s an incredibly exciting time to work in Dudley Council as we embark on numerous multi-million pound regeneration schemes which will be real game-changers for the borough. In addition to the exciting schemes such as the Midland Metro we also have the ongoing and very serious challenges of ensuring vulnerable people across the borough receive the services they deserve.
At Dudley Council we have a ‘one council’ ethos that builds an effective and dynamic organisation which grows the economy and creates jobs, creating a cleaner and greener place and supports stronger and safer communities.
We are rightly proud to be the historic capital of the Black Country and, working with our partners, Dudley Council is also committed to looking forward and helping to deliver our borough vision of ‘Forge a Future for all’ www.dudleyboroughvision2030.org.uk
We ensure communities influence council decisions and are committed to delivering services in partnership with communities. We provide flexible and responsive service in partnership and help communities help themselves.
In joining a local authority that serves 320,000 residents you will become an integral part of a council that:
* is ready to embrace change, providing an environment in which you will be encouraged to make your mark
* is aware of its key challenges and the need for a new energy to innovate the council, in order to find cost effective ways of delivering services
* has aligned its political and managerial leadership structures and is committed to protecting, securing and transforming the lives of children, families, the vulnerable and older people
* wants borough residents to have their say through our community forums
* dedicates time to meaningful consultation and listen to the views of our residents
* is working with the community to encourage active involvement of our residents
We want to leave a legacy of a better future for the borough that reflects Dudley borough’s potential and harnesses the ambitions of the people we serve. For more information see our Council Plan www.dudley.gov.uk/council-community/plan-policies-and-strategies/council-plan, Dudley Borough Vision for 2030, Forging a Future for All www.dudleyboroughvision2030.org.uk and key information about the borough and its communities at All about Dudley Borough www.allaboutdudley.info
Company Info
Website
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/
Telephone
01384 811300
Location
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Council House
Priory Road
Dudley
West Midlands
DY1 1HF
GB
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