Head of Internal Audit

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Who are we?

We are a gas distribution business that services the gas infrastructure across Wales and the south-west of England. We serve our customers and communities with safe, reliable, and affordable energy services whilst investing to create a sustainable future to deliver our carbon-free vision for 2050.

What we’re looking for?

We are looking for a Head of Internal Audit to lead the organisation’s internal audit function, providing independent assurance that the company’s risk management, governance, and internal control processes are operating effectively.

This role acts as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, Audit Committee and Risk & Compliance Committee while maintaining the independence required for objective oversight.

We’ll trust you to:

Oversee the execution of operational, financial, compliance, and IT audits.

Ensure audits are completed on time, within scope, and to professional standards.

Serve as Chair of the WWU Internal Risk Management Committee, providing strategic leadership, oversight, and challenge to ensure effective identification, assessment, and management of organisational risks.

Evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls and recommend improvements.

Ensure the internal audit function complies with professional standards, i.e., Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) and maintain EQA certification.

Provide joint oversight of the Corporate Whistleblowing Process with the Head of People and Customer Experience, acting as a primary point of contact for whistleblowing concerns and ensuring all disclosures are managed confidentially, impartially, and in line with regulatory and organisational requirements.

You’ll need to have:

Proven experience leading an internal audit function or senior audit team.

Strong understanding of risk management, internal controls, and governance frameworks.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence at Board level.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.

Good knowledge of specific IT packages e.g. MS Office, SAP, Visio

Professional qualification such as CMIIA, CIA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent.

Proven experience leading an internal audit function or senior audit team.

The following is desirable:

Experience in the Utilities industry or other regulated industries.

Knowledge of data analytics and modern audit technologies.

We would also love to hear about anything else you feel you could add or bring to the role!

As we are a safety critical organisation, all offers of employment are subject to pre-employment drug & alcohol screening.

What’s in it for you?

A competitive salary

Hybrid working

Flexible working opportunities

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays which can be tailored to celebrations that reflect your beliefs

Retirement Savings Plan (pension) with Aviva: 5% employee contribution, with WWU doubling your contribution at 10% - totalling 15%

14 x salary Life Insurance linked to membership of the Retirement Savings Plan

“Choices” flexible benefit scheme options including corporate gym memberships, dental insurance, and health cash-plans

Access to our Financial Wellbeing Programme - allowing you to manage your benefits flexibly to suit your financial needs

Enhanced pay for parental leave

Retail discounts and cashback scheme

Friends & Family Discount for Three Mobile and Broadband

Colleague recognition including Annual Celebrating Excellence Awards

Living Wage Accredited Employer

Award winning employer for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Workplace Health and Wellbeing’ and leading the industry in championing equality, diversity and inclusion

Annual salary review

Discretionary annual bonus

Company Sick Pay

In-house Occupational Health Team

Employee Assistance Programme

Comprehensive training

The way we do things

Our Ambition, Priorities and Values inform everything we do as a business – from our strategic planning to the performance management of our colleagues. Our values underpin everything we do and we are committed to creating a working environment that supports and fosters diversity, inclusion and equity, where all of our colleagues feel valued and supported to contribute to their full potential.

We are focused on creating a culture where it doesn’t matter about gender, race, sexuality or disability; it’s about our colleagues’ skills, the way we do things and how we live our values.

Interested?

If you think you’d make a good addition to the team, we would love to hear from you!

If you would prefer to complete your application form in an alternative format such as Microsoft Word or would like to discuss the role in a little more detail, please contact us at recruitment@wwutilities.co.uk or on 07971 038 982.

You can also ask us about flexible working practices that may be available or tell us if you have any special requirements during the application process.