Job Description
At abrdn, our purpose is to enable our clients to be better investors.
Clients worldwide trust us to find future-fit investment opportunities to deliver the outcomes they want. Our technology and insight help empower them to make better decisions, while the powerful partnerships we build help to enhance the expertise that we offer. And by enabling clients to invest responsibly, it helps us to build a better world.
We have an excellent opportunity for Head of Audit to help support abrdn in delivering against its strategic ambitions in the Adviser Vector whilst supporting effective management of the risks faced by the business in that pursuit. This is a permanent role based in Edinburgh.
About the Department
We are a key function in one of the world’s largest investment companies, our mission is to support abrdn in maximising sustainable, high quality returns for our clients, customers and shareholders whilst effectively managing the risks faced by the business.
We are a highly ambitious function who seeks to innovate. We’ll help you grow by recognising and maximising your strengths and potential, supporting your personal development. In return, we will ask you for your energy, enthusiasm and the drive to deliver the results we aim to achieve.
About the Role
1. Understand Group Strategy & Business Objectives to focus IA's work on highest risks - feeding this information into the audit plan. Oversee planning process to ensure focus is correct for the risks that are prevalent across the Adviser business.
2. Own and track delivery of thematic audit plan and performance as a portfolio, accountable to Chief Internal Auditor.
3. Lead on agile development and innovation across the teams, ensuring everyone is empowered to drive continuous improvement across the delivery of agile audits
4. Proactively seek opportunities to advance agile delivery, working in partnership with the Chief Internal Auditor and Planning & Agile Manager
5. Work collaboratively with the Audit Analytics, IT, regional and other Vector audit teams to ensure appropriate coverage of abrdn’s risks, including the sharing of knowledge and resources where relevant
6. Investigate complex situations and propose practical, innovative, and value-add solutions to issues identified.
7. Role model a relentless focus on quality to meet (or exceed) the expectations set by the Chief Internal Auditor
8. Actively contribute towards the creation of a culture where quality is ingrained in the consciousness of every team member.
9. Lead through periods of change while maintaining trust and support of the team.
10. Manage relationships with external regulators to build external presence and the reputation of abrdn and IA
11. Build relationships with and influence senior managers and executive directors.
12. Build, foster and maintain positive relationships with clients including strong engagement with relevant NEDs and Board members
13. Attend Entity Boards and senior governance committees attended by ELT and / or NEDs. Represent the function and provide management and clients with the insights they need to manage risks faced, including presenting the results of audits outside aligned portfolio.
14. Effectively communicate complex information to a wide group of senior stakeholders, against a background of continuous regulatory change.
15. Manage Auditors, Senior Auditors / Specialists and Audit Managers. Ability to identify the strengths of the team to use for the benefit of the business and identify development areas to coach and develop.
16. Role model best leadership practice across the wider function as a member of the IA LT
17. Manage co-source in an efficient and effective way which identifies the needs of the team and the strengths of the provider
About the Candidate Requirements
18. Educated to degree level with a relevant professional qualification or experience (e.g. accounting, audit, risk)
19. Extensive experience in financial services industry, recent experience is preferred. Understanding of an asset and wealth management business.
20. Internal or external audit experience.
Our benefits
There's more to working life than coming home with a good salary. We have an environment where you can learn, get involved and be supported.
When you join us, your reward will be one of the best around. This includes 40 days’ annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, a discretionary performance based bonus (where applicable), private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits – including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount portal. You can read more about our benefits
Our business
Enabling our clients to be better investors drives everything we do. Our business is structured around three distinct areas – our vectors of growth – focused on our clients’ changing needs. You can find out more about what we do.
An inclusive way of working
Whatever way you like to work, if you have the talent and commitment to join our team, we’d like to hear from you.
At abrdn we’ve adopted a ‘blended working’ approach. This approach combines the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, coaching and connecting in our offices with the flexibility of working from home. It enables colleagues to find a balance that works for their roles, their teams, our clients and our business.
, where diverse perspectives drive our actions, is at the core of who we are and what we do.