Job Description
Manager – Internal Audit (Public Sector)
Location: London
Contract: Permanent
Grade: Manager
About the team
A leading professional services advisory practice is seeking an experienced Internal Audit Manager to join its Infrastructure, Government & Healthcare (IGH) team within Governance, Risk and Compliance Services.
The team works across Education, Healthcare, Housing, and Local & Central Government, delivering high-quality internal audit, risk management, governance, and assurance services. Clients are predominantly public sector organisations, and engagements focus on strategic, operational, and financial risk using modern audit and control methodologies. The role also involves close collaboration with specialists in areas such as Technology Risk and Cyber Risk.
The role
This is a client-facing management role with responsibility for leading and delivering internal audit and risk advisory engagements. Key responsibilities include:
* Delivering internal audit services on outsourced and co-sourced engagements
* Developing annual internal audit plans
* Managing and delivering individual audits and audit programmes, including planning, review, quality assurance, and reporting
* Designing audit strategies in line with internal audit methodology and professional standards
* Reviewing audit evidence to ensure sufficiency and quality in line with IIA standards
* Managing a portfolio of clients and maintaining senior client relationships
* Advising on risk management, governance, and internal audit matters
* Facilitating risk identification workshops and control reviews
* Delivering risk, control, and governance training
* Conducting compliance audits
* Assessing the effectiveness of internal audit functions, audit committees, and boards
* Collaborating with other advisory teams to deliver integrated solutions
* Staying up to date with relevant legal, regulatory, governance, and auditing developments
* Leading client meetings, presenting findings, and producing high-quality reports and Audit Committee papers
* Managing engagement budgets, resourcing, and financial performance
* Identifying opportunities for additional work and supporting business development activities
* Coaching, mentoring, and appraising junior team members
Skills, qualifications, and experience
Successful candidates will typically demonstrate:
* A recognised professional qualification (e.g. IIA, CCAB, ICAEW, CIPFA, or equivalent)
* Strong internal audit experience (essential)
* Experience in assurance, controls, compliance, risk management, or consulting roles
* End-to-end project management experience
* Ability to identify and communicate clear, practical audit observations and recommendations
* Experience leading teams and managing multiple engagements
* Experience working with Public Sector clients (essential)
* Experience in the Education sector (desirable)
* Consulting experience (desirable but not essential)
* Experience acting as the main client contact, including interaction at Finance Director / senior leadership level
* Strong report writing and presentation skills, with excellent proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
The person
The successful candidate will:
* Be committed to continuous professional and team development
* Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and an ability to understand stakeholder motivations
* Be confident in making and supporting well-judged decisions