Head of Audit Finance and central functions - M&G plc.
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Added before 2 Days
- Scotland,Midlothian
- Full Time, Permanent
- Competitive salary
Job Description:
Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions.
Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.
Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.
We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.
Main Purpose of Role
Responsible for the provision of independent, reliable, and objective risk-based assurance on the overall effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes relating to Group Finance, Risk & Compliance (R&C), and Central Functions.
Purpose
Internal Audit is an independent, objective assurance function that is critical to meeting the organisation’s business ambitions while also protecting the interests of customers. This is achieved by ensuring that internal control, risk management, and governance frameworks are consistently effective and fit for purpose.
Role Description
As Head of Audit for Group Finance, Risk & Compliance (R&C) and Central Functions, you will drive the delivery of meaningful improvements across the respective business areas through high-quality audit activity and strong stakeholder engagement.
The role involves close coordination with other members of the Audit Senior Leadership Team, particularly the Life Audit Director, where activities involve finance, risk, compliance, or actuarial functions.
As a member of the Internal Audit Leadership Team, you will contribute to achieving the function’s vision of "Trusted partner, protecting what matters." This will be accomplished through leadership of the Group Finance, R&C, and Central Functions audit plan, delivery of audit outcomes, management of actions, workstream changes, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned to the function’s winning mindsets approach.
This role is critical in managing Audit Risk across the portfolio, specifically:
The risk that the right areas are not audited - managed through robust risk assessment and annual risk-based planning. The risk that issues are not identified - managed through strong execution of risk-based audits and quality controls. The risk that management does not respond adequately to audit observations - managed through effective follow-up and issue assurance. The risk that Internal Audit is not trusted or respected by management - managed through the quality of work delivered and adherence to fit and proper standards.
Key Responsibilities
Audit Assurance
*Deliver independent audit assurance across Group Finance, Risk & Compliance, and Central Functions.
Risk Assessment and Risk-Based Planning
*Lead meetings with senior stakeholders, including Non-Executive Directors and regulators where required, to present and agree the risk-based audit planning approach and audit scope.
*Perform and maintain risk assessments across the portfolio to inform the annual audit plan, including periodic reassessment to reflect emerging risks.
*Work closely with audit teams to ensure audit plans focus on key risks and controls, with scope clearly documented in agreed Terms of Reference.
Audit Performance
*Oversee the delivery of a portfolio of audits, ensuring audit strategies meet objectives and are executed to a high standard.
*Ensure effective coordination of audit activity across communities and optimal use of Internal Audit resources.
*Apply a risk-based approach to planning and execution, including innovation through the use of technology and data analytics.
*Review audit files and working papers supporting Very High or High-rated issues, ensuring consistency with Internal Audit methodology and documentation standards, including use of TeamMate.
*Identify and manage conflicts of interest risks within Internal Audit.
*Oversee issue assurance activities, including timely escalation of disputes or concerns.
*Ensure compliance with Internal Audit professional standards, internal policies, decision-making frameworks, and reporting requirements, including embedding outcomes of QA reviews.
*Act on feedback from post-audit debriefs to drive continuous improvement.
Audit Reporting
*Oversee audits led by Squad Leads to ensure:
*Audit findings, observations, and insights are clearly discussed with management and escalated appropriately.
*Final audit reports are objective, proportionate, and accurately reflect audit outcomes.
*Contribute to the development of thematic insights to support IA status reporting, annual control environment assessments, and delivery of audit opinions.
*Provide insight-driven reporting to management to support improvements in control environment and risk culture.
Stakeholder Management
*Own relationships with designated GEC members, ensuring effective allocation of relationship management across their teams.
*Participate in meetings with Senior Management, Non-Executive Directors, and Regulators (FCA and PRA) to present Internal Audit activity and outcomes.
*Maintain credibility and trust through integrity, professionalism, and respectful challenge.
*Build strong operational-level relationships, providing guidance and constructive challenge while supporting business growth and commercial performance.
*Monitor and challenge progress against management action plans to ensure timely and effective remediation.
Team Management
*Develop a high-performing, engaged audit team with a strong growth mindset.
*Empower teams to make risk-based decisions that inform audit planning and scope.
*Oversee development of audit team members through coaching, mentoring, training, and constructive feedback.
*Actively promote and sponsor development opportunities across the wider Internal Audit function and relevant communities.
Qualifications and Competencies
Market Knowledge / Business Strategy
Relevant professional qualification (
Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.
Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.
We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.
Main Purpose of Role
Responsible for the provision of independent, reliable, and objective risk-based assurance on the overall effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes relating to Group Finance, Risk & Compliance (R&C), and Central Functions.
Purpose
Internal Audit is an independent, objective assurance function that is critical to meeting the organisation’s business ambitions while also protecting the interests of customers. This is achieved by ensuring that internal control, risk management, and governance frameworks are consistently effective and fit for purpose.
Role Description
As Head of Audit for Group Finance, Risk & Compliance (R&C) and Central Functions, you will drive the delivery of meaningful improvements across the respective business areas through high-quality audit activity and strong stakeholder engagement.
The role involves close coordination with other members of the Audit Senior Leadership Team, particularly the Life Audit Director, where activities involve finance, risk, compliance, or actuarial functions.
As a member of the Internal Audit Leadership Team, you will contribute to achieving the function’s vision of "Trusted partner, protecting what matters." This will be accomplished through leadership of the Group Finance, R&C, and Central Functions audit plan, delivery of audit outcomes, management of actions, workstream changes, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned to the function’s winning mindsets approach.
This role is critical in managing Audit Risk across the portfolio, specifically:
The risk that the right areas are not audited - managed through robust risk assessment and annual risk-based planning. The risk that issues are not identified - managed through strong execution of risk-based audits and quality controls. The risk that management does not respond adequately to audit observations - managed through effective follow-up and issue assurance. The risk that Internal Audit is not trusted or respected by management - managed through the quality of work delivered and adherence to fit and proper standards.
Key Responsibilities
Audit Assurance
*Deliver independent audit assurance across Group Finance, Risk & Compliance, and Central Functions.
Risk Assessment and Risk-Based Planning
*Lead meetings with senior stakeholders, including Non-Executive Directors and regulators where required, to present and agree the risk-based audit planning approach and audit scope.
*Perform and maintain risk assessments across the portfolio to inform the annual audit plan, including periodic reassessment to reflect emerging risks.
*Work closely with audit teams to ensure audit plans focus on key risks and controls, with scope clearly documented in agreed Terms of Reference.
Audit Performance
*Oversee the delivery of a portfolio of audits, ensuring audit strategies meet objectives and are executed to a high standard.
*Ensure effective coordination of audit activity across communities and optimal use of Internal Audit resources.
*Apply a risk-based approach to planning and execution, including innovation through the use of technology and data analytics.
*Review audit files and working papers supporting Very High or High-rated issues, ensuring consistency with Internal Audit methodology and documentation standards, including use of TeamMate.
*Identify and manage conflicts of interest risks within Internal Audit.
*Oversee issue assurance activities, including timely escalation of disputes or concerns.
*Ensure compliance with Internal Audit professional standards, internal policies, decision-making frameworks, and reporting requirements, including embedding outcomes of QA reviews.
*Act on feedback from post-audit debriefs to drive continuous improvement.
Audit Reporting
*Oversee audits led by Squad Leads to ensure:
*Audit findings, observations, and insights are clearly discussed with management and escalated appropriately.
*Final audit reports are objective, proportionate, and accurately reflect audit outcomes.
*Contribute to the development of thematic insights to support IA status reporting, annual control environment assessments, and delivery of audit opinions.
*Provide insight-driven reporting to management to support improvements in control environment and risk culture.
Stakeholder Management
*Own relationships with designated GEC members, ensuring effective allocation of relationship management across their teams.
*Participate in meetings with Senior Management, Non-Executive Directors, and Regulators (FCA and PRA) to present Internal Audit activity and outcomes.
*Maintain credibility and trust through integrity, professionalism, and respectful challenge.
*Build strong operational-level relationships, providing guidance and constructive challenge while supporting business growth and commercial performance.
*Monitor and challenge progress against management action plans to ensure timely and effective remediation.
Team Management
*Develop a high-performing, engaged audit team with a strong growth mindset.
*Empower teams to make risk-based decisions that inform audit planning and scope.
*Oversee development of audit team members through coaching, mentoring, training, and constructive feedback.
*Actively promote and sponsor development opportunities across the wider Internal Audit function and relevant communities.
Qualifications and Competencies
Market Knowledge / Business Strategy
Relevant professional qualification (
Job number 3659049
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