Associate Director - Assurance

Adler & Allan Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + discretionary bonus

Company pension

25 days annual leave + Bank holidays

Training and career progression opportunities

Life Assurance Scheme 4 x annual salary

Job summary

Adler & Allan Ltd in Leeds is seeking an Associate Director - Assurance to lead high-impact advisory assurance projects. This role involves developing assurance processes and engaging with various stakeholders to provide independent assurance on regulatory submissions.

The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in assurance or internal audit, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively. Additional info includes a competitive salary, generous leave, and career progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional experience in assurance, internal audit, compliance, risk, or regulatory reporting.
• Internal audit methodologies, risk-based assurance, or second-line assurance.
• Skilled in building and maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver high-impact advisory assurance projects.
• Maintain and enhance assurance process development.
• Evaluate governance frameworks and present findings to leadership.

Skills

Assurance

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Job description

We are seeking aAssociate Director - Assurance to lead and deliver high-impact advisory assurance projects.

You will be responsible for:

• Assurance process development – Maintain and enhance Aqua’s approach to delivering assurance commissions aligning with best practice standards and supporting technical teams with the design and delivery of specific audits.
• Risk, Controls & Governance - Evaluate the effectiveness of governance frameworks (e.g., investment boards, AMP cycle governance).
• Stakeholder Engagement & Insight - Build strong relationships with Asset Planning, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Regulation, and Capital Delivery teams. Present findings to senior leadership, Audit & Risk Committee, and external regulators. Translate technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Regulatory & Reporting Assurance - Provide independent assurance on submissions to regulators including Ofwat, Environment Agency, and Drinking Water Inspectorate.
• Asset Management Assurance - Deliver assurance over the end‑to‑end asset lifecycle, testing compliance with ISO 55001 and internal asset management policies.
• Capital Programme & Project Assurance - Provide assurance across feasibility, design, and delivery stages. Reviewing project governance, gateway processes, commercial controls, and risk management.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional experience in assurance, internal audit, compliance, risk, or regulatory reporting.
• Internal audit methodologies, risk-based assurance, or second-line assurance
• Understanding of asset management in utilities or infrastructure (desirable)
• Data lineage, data quality testing, and control evaluation
• Experience in the water sector during an AMP cycle or business plan preparation (desirable)
• Delivery of assurance over capital programmes or major projects (desirable)
• Data assurance experience for regulatory submissions (desirable)
• Understanding of strategic planning, asset management, or regulatory frameworks (desirable)
• Ability to apply best practice and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Skilled in building and maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and trends.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deliver to time, cost, and quality standards.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Experience preparing reports, business cases, and presentations for senior audiences.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of project delivery principles.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and supporting team development.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary + discretionary bonus.
• Company pension.
• 25 days annual leave + Bank holidays + option to purchase additional leave.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme.
• Company mobile phone and laptop provided.
• Training and career progression opportunities.
• Life Assurance Scheme 4 x annual salary.
• Employee Assistance Programme (with access to GP appointments, Physio appointments and Mental Health Support).
• Medicash cash plan (Money back on everyday healthcare costs such as dental, glasses, contact lenses).
• Refer a friend scheme.
• Enhanced maternity,paternity and adoption pay and leave.

Adler and Allan are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We proudly embrace equal opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. If you require any support with your application, whatever the circumstance, please let us know.