Lead Specialist, Internal Audit, Controls, Compliance, and Risk (Technology Audit Manager / IT Audit Manager)
Belfast (Hybrid - minimum 1 day per week in office)
About the Role & Team
We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Technology Audit Manager / IT Audit Manager to join our dynamic, innovative, and collaborative Internal Audit team (14 people across the UK and US).
The team provides forward‑looking assurance, insight, and advice to support Pearson in achieving its strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the planning, execution, and reporting of IT and cybersecurity audits
* Work across a diverse and fast‑changing technology and digital environment
* Engage directly with Senior Management and key stakeholders
* Support audit planning, audit committee reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives
* Lead delivery of complex technology, application, infrastructure, and security audits
* Deliver project/programme audits and integrated audits
* Cover a wide range of topics including Cloud, AI, IT governance, and cybersecurity
* Take full ownership of audit delivery: define risk‑based audit scope, design audit approach and work programmes, plan and project‑manage delivery, conduct fieldwork and testing, validate findings with business and IT stakeholders, manage reporting through to file closure, integrate AI tools and agents as standard to support audit delivery
* Discuss findings with management and agree risk mitigation actions
* Produce clear, concise, commercially relevant reports and provide actionable recommendations to improve internal controls, address weaknesses, and drive process efficiency
* Track and follow up on audit actions and remediation progress, liaise closely with action owners and business leadership
* Support annual audit planning, audit committee reporting, internal improvement initiatives, stay current with emerging audit techniques and practices, champion new approaches and continuous improvement
* Support and coach team members; contribute to a collaborative and high‑performing environment; support investigations and ad‑hoc projects as required
Location & Working Pattern
* Based in Belfast (Clockwise River House)
* Hybrid working - minimum 1 day per week in the office (required)
* Up to 10% international travel
* Collaboration across UK and US time zones (flexibility occasionally required)
Qualifications
* Degree (or equivalent) in Information Security, Computer Science, or related field
* Professional certification such as CISA, QICA, CISSP, CRISC, SSCP
* 5+ years’ experience in cybersecurity and IT audit
* Strong experience across IT processes and controls; applications, infrastructure, and IT security; cloud services and emerging technologies
* Hands‑on experience with auditing web applications/services, networks, operating systems, databases, cloud environments, AI technologies, cybersecurity and audit frameworks: NIST CSF, ISO 27001/27002, PCI DSS, COBIT, ITIL
* Experience with AI tools in audit delivery and data and analytics tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Alteryx, supporting complex data extraction and analysis
* Exposure to major ERP systems (Oracle preferred)
Key Skills & Capabilities
* Strong understanding of IT risk management, security controls, relationship between technology and business risk
* Knowledge of cybersecurity controls, network architecture, secure coding, website/platform development, virtual computing
* Ability to interpret complex technical issues and develop practical, business‑focused solutions
* Organizational and project management skills; communication and stakeholder engagement skills; ability to explain technical concepts to non‑technical audiences; collaborative and team‑oriented approach; commercial awareness and digital mindset; flexible, innovative, and proactive mindset; comfortable working independently in less structured environments
Why Join?
* Global organisation with meaningful impact
* Exposure to cutting‑edge technology environments (AI, Cloud, Cybersecurity)
* Opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders
* Collaborative, supportive, and international team
* Strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement
Equal Opportunity Employment
Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.
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