Associate Director - Assurance

Aqua Consultants; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

25 days annual leave

Salary Sacrifice Pension

Phone & laptop provided

Training & progression

Life Assurance 4x salary

Employee Assistance Programme

Medicash plan

Refer a friend

Job summary

Aqua Consultants is seeking an Associate Director - Assurance to lead and deliver high-impact advisory assurance projects. You will drive governance, data integrity, and regulatory reporting across asset management and capital programmes, collaborating with senior leadership and external regulators.

You will mentor teams, develop assurance processes, and ensure delivery within time, cost, and quality targets in a dynamic utilities environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in assurance, internal audit, compliance, risk, or regulatory reporting.
• Understanding of asset management in utilities or infrastructure (desirable).
• Experience in data lineage, data quality testing, and control evaluation.
• Leadership in mentoring and developing teams (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Assurance process development – Maintain and enhance Aqua’s approach to delivering assurance commissions aligning with best practice standards.
• Risk, Controls & Governance – Evaluate governance frameworks and AMP cycle governance.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Insight – Build relationships and present findings to senior leadership and regulators.
• Regulatory & Reporting Assurance – Provide independent assurance on submissions to regulators (Ofwat, Environment Agency, DWI).
• Asset Management Assurance – Deliver assurance over end-to-end asset lifecycle and ISO 55001 compliance.
• Capital Programme & Project Assurance – Provide assurance across feasibility, design, and delivery stages, reviewing governance and risk management.

Skills

Stakeholder mgmt

Analytical thinking

Project management

Regulatory reporting

Communication skills

Leadership mentoring

Job description

Job Description

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

We are seeking a Associate 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.
• Professional Membership fees paid.
• 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.