Internal Audit Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Internal Audit Manager

Location:  London, UK
Contract Type: Indefinite Contract

Pay Band: SMP

Closing date: 19 April 2026 at 21:59 UK Time 

Requirements: You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.  We are unable to support with visa sponsorship and relocation.

Role Context – About The Team:

The Internal Audit department is a global function with teams in two geographical locations. The team is led by the Director Internal Audit who formally reports to both the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee (functional line) and the Chief Operating Officer (administrative line). The department follows a risk-based approach to audits.

The Internal Audit department delivers a comprehensive, independent and objective assurance and advisory service to the organisation in a customer-orientated manner which is in accordance with the British Council values.

The Audit Manager has responsibility for overseeing, planning and executing a portfolio of audits in the Internal Audit plan. The role has a significant exposure to Geographic and Global Leadership Teams and the Audit Manager is a direct point of contact for Geographic Directors and their leadership teams for internal audit related matters.

Role Purpose - The Job:

This role has prime responsibility for overseeing and managing an annual portfolio of audits, including: overseeing and delivering all aspects of internal audit assignments (planning, fieldwork, reporting and action follow up); portfolio-level strategic planning; senior stakeholder management and; providing the business with third line assurance expertise as required. The result will be to contribute to an effective and efficient internal audit department through playing a key role in supporting the British Council in the management of risk and achievement of objectives. The role supports the Director of Internal Audit with the annual audit opinion around the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management and control processes across the Organization and provision of first class internal audit services.

This role is critical in maintaining the department’s reputation of being a trusted and valued business partner and to provide high quality assurance across a range of risk areas.

The candidate is a technically strong, commercial thinking (audit, risk and finance) professional and must have the ability to support, work with and influence colleagues across the organization. The candidate has a clear vision of best-in-class internal audit services and can deliver high quality and impactful assurance with a high degree of autonomy.

Main Accountabilities:

Leadership & management

• Supporting the Director of Internal Audit with the delivery of assurance processes to provide a first class Internal Audit service within the organisation.
• Continue to elevate the profile of Internal Audit by working closely with Geographic Directors and their leadership teams to embed risk-based assurance as a trusted and valued advisory service.
• Ensuring consistency in audit approach and being accountable for achieving internal quality standards.
• Be responsible for the overall delivery of one or more Geographic or thematic audit portfolio(s) including planning, fieldwork, reporting and action monitoring in line with departmental strategy and objectives. This includes supporting, overseeing and/or delivering audits in the Corporate portfolio and/or any of the Geographic portfolios.
• Deliver relevant and impactful audits which align to strategy, objectives, risks and operations.
• Line managing Senior Auditors and/or Auditors where applicable.

Strategy and/or planning

• Contributing to the creation of the annual audit plan, with key responsibility for identifying and proposing relevant assurance needs aligned to the principal risk profile and overall strategic priorities.

Relationship and stakeholder management

• Develop a strong geographic and global network in order to identify risks and opportunities to add value and coordinate control framework improvements.
• Liaising at all levels of the organisation, including senior management.

Consultancy, analysis and problem solving

• Performing ad-hoc advisory engagements to provide strategic insight on risks and controls to Senior and/or Geographic/Regional Management.
• Identify practical and pragmatic risk mitigations which improve the control environment with the buy-in of the business.
• Provide strategic advice to the business on assurance.

Requirements Of The Role:

Minimum/essential

• Experience of working in international and multi-cultural organisations
• Robust experience of risk-based audit
• Proven track record of building productive relationships at all levels of the organisation
• Reporting and engaging effectively with senior management
• Independently minded and willing to challenge existing business practice
• Managing a portfolio of audits to time and quality across multiple locations and business areas

Desirable:

• Knowledge of SAP applications
• Knowledge of shared services and managed service provider operations
• Experience of third party contract assurance
• IT assurance qualifications e.g. CISA
• Data analytics experience
• Knowledge on use of audit software or tools e.g TeamMat
• Knowledge of governance in a group structure (geographic/regional hubs, clusters etc)

Professional Qualification and Certification

• A professional accountancy or internal audit certification is required.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org