Senior Internal Auditor

The Senior Internal Auditor sits within the Risk & Assurance team, which supports the National Church Institutions (NCIs) of the Church of England. The NCIs bring together a wide range of services and organisations that help enable the Church's mission across the country. This role plays an important part in providing independent assurance that risks are appropriately managed and key controls are operating effectively.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Assurance, the Senior Internal Auditor will deliver risk-based assurance and advisory reviews across the National Church Institutions. The role involves working with colleagues at all levels of the organisation to evaluate governance, risk management and internal control arrangements and identify opportunities for improvement.

The postholder will deliver Internal Audit (IA) engagements from planning through to reporting, producing clear, evidence-based findings and practical recommendations. The role will also contribute to the development of the annual IA plan, continuous improvement of IA methodologies, and the promotion of effective risk management practices across the NCIs.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced auditor to broaden their exposure across governance, finance, operations, safeguarding, and strategic risk, while contributing to the mission and work of the Church of England.

You will be responsible for leading IA work from start to finish. This includes planning audits based on risk, working with teams across the organisation to understand how services operate, and reporting clear, balanced findings to senior management and Audit and Risk Committees. The role requires strong judgement, the ability to influence constructively, and confidence in working with senior stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Plan and deliver risk-based IA and advisory reviews across a broad range of NCI activities.

• Undertake audit fieldwork, including interviews, process reviews, data analytics, control testing and evaluation of management information.

• Identify control weaknesses, governance issues and emerging risks, assessing their impact and significance.

• Prepare clear, concise and evidence-based audit reports containing practical and proportionate recommendations.

• Agree IA findings and management actions with stakeholders and monitor progress against agreed actions where required.

• Build productive relationships with colleagues, senior managers and other stakeholders across the NCIs.

• Contribute to the development of the IA plan through risk assessment activities and identification of emerging risks.

• Support reporting to senior management and the Audit and Risk Committees.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of IA processes, methodologies and use of IA technology.

• Maintain professional knowledge and comply with applicable professional standards and ethical requirements.

Alongside assurance work, you will also provide timely advice on internal controls and risk management, helping teams strengthen how risks are identified, assessed and managed across the organisation.

This role would suit an experienced IA professional who is confident delivering complex IA assignments, engaging with senior stakeholders and providing clear, balanced assurance and advice. You will possess strong analytical skills, sound professional judgement and the ability to explain risk and control issues in a constructive and practical manner.

To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate the following key requirements:

• A recognised professional qualification in IA or accountancy (for example CMIIA, CIA, ACA, ACCA, AAT or equivalent)

• Demonstrable experience delivering risk‑based IA engagements, from planning through to reporting

• Strong understanding of governance, risk management and internal control frameworks and their practical application.

• Experience assessing the design and effectiveness of controls and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and experience working with managers and senior leaders.

• Excellent written communication skills, including the production of clear, concise and evidence-based audit reports.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret information and draw objective conclusions.

• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet agreed deadlines and quality standards.

• High standards of professional integrity, objectivity and discretion.

You do not need prior knowledge of the Church of England to apply. An interest in working within a values‑led organisation, and a commitment to collaboration, integrity and continuous improvement, will be important for success in the role.