Audit & Accreditation Manager

London Borough of Hackney; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Hackney Council is seeking an Audit & Accreditation Manager to build and lead a new function within the Safety, Health, Environmental Quality (SHEQ) Team. You will design and manage an internal audit and inspection programme across staff and contractors, and lead the accreditation agenda with standards such as UKAS, BM TRADA, or equivalent.

The role requires extensive experience in audit programmes, accreditation management, and a NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent construction-related certification,

Qualifications

• Proven ability to design and lead audit programmes across multiple teams.
• Experience securing and maintaining accreditations (UKAS, ISO, BM TRADA).
• Knowledge of assurance frameworks and risk-based auditing lifecycles.
• Auditing qualifications and professional membership are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage annual and quarterly audit plans prioritising high-risk areas.
• Lead a team of Quality Assurance Inspectors and an Accreditation Officer.
• Oversee the full audit lifecycle from scoping to reporting findings.
• Own the accreditation roadmap and liaise with external assessors and regulators.
• Champion proactive compliance and continuous improvement across departments.
• Produce detailed reports with clear analysis and recommendations.

Skills

Audit programme leadership

Team leadership

Quality assurance

Risk-based auditing

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

ISO Lead Auditor

CQI/IRCA‑certified

NEBOSH Diploma

Construction-related certification

Professional body member (CQI/IOSH/CIOB)

Job description

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

About The Role

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced professional to join our join our Safety, Health, Environmental Quality (SHEQ) Team as the Audit & Accreditation Manager. This is a key leadership role where you will be instrumental in driving a culture of excellence, safety, and compliance in our Housing Services.

Role

This is a new and pivotal role where you can build a function from the ground up and embed best practice. As our Audit & Accreditation Manager, you will lead the charge on two strategic objectives:

• You will design, implement, and manage a comprehensive internal audit and inspection programme, covering our directly employed staff and external contractors. Your work will be fundamental in ensuring the quality, safety, and compliance of all construction and maintenance works.
• You will lead our accreditation agenda, securing and maintaining recognised standards such as UKAS, BM TRADA, or equivalent certifications. This will demonstrate our competence and commitment to quality across all service areas.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a critical function, embedding best practice and driving continuous improvement that directly impacts the safety and well‑being of our residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the annual and quarterly audit plans, prioritising high‑risk areas and ensuring a robust framework is in place.
• Lead a team of Quality Assurance Inspectors and an Accreditation Officer, providing coaching, support, and ensuring they are trained and competent.
• Oversee the entire audit lifecycle, from scoping and developing checklists to reporting findings and ensuring issues are addressed promptly.
• -Own the accreditation roadmap, preparing for audits, coordinating evidence, and acting as the main point of contact for external assessors and regulatory bodies.
• -Champion a culture of proactive compliance and continuous improvement, working collaboratively across departments to embed required standards and policies.
• -Produce detailed reports with clear analysis and recommendations for both operational teams and strategic decision-makers.
• Monitoring industry standards and legislative updates to ensure our auditing criteria and accreditation requirements are always current.

About You

You will be a seasoned audit and quality assurance professional with a proven track record in a construction, housing, or safety‑related environment.

You Will Have

• Proven experience and demonstrable success in leading and managing audit programmes and achieving or maintaining accreditations (e.g., UKAS, ISO, BM TRADA).
• Experience in managing and developing a high‑performing team. The ability to influence and lead across teams without direct line management is essential.
• In‑depth knowledge of assurance frameworks, risk‑based auditing, and the full audit lifecycle (planning, delivery, technical review, and reporting).
• A relevant auditing or quality assurance qualification (e.g., ISO Lead Auditor, CQI/IRCA‑certified) and a NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent construction‑related certification are essential.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CQI, IOSH, CIOB) is required.

Closing date for applications: 06 September 2026 (23:59)

Interview date: 21 September 2026

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our “PROUD” values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti‑racist behaviour.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: [e-mail]