Data & AI Assistant Manager

Grant Thornton (UK); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Job summary

Grant Thornton UK is seeking an Assistant Manager to lead data and AI governance engagements across audits and advisory, driving value for FTSE 100 and large international clients. You will apply data and AI expertise to governance, controls, and assurance under a Manager, while mentoring juniors.

We support flexible working arrangements and balanced life integration, with opportunities to grow technical capability in AI assurance and analytics, while expanding your client and people leadership

Qualifications

• Professional qualification (CISA, AAIA, ACA, CA, ACCA, IIA) or working towards one, with audit/assurance experience.
• Experience evaluating data governance/data management frameworks (DAMA DCAM or similar).
• Experience using data platforms and AI tools to deliver analytics assurances.

Responsibilities

• Lead data & AI engagements from planning to reporting with a Manager oversight.
• Plan engagements: risk assessment, scoping, audit programmes; lead smaller assignments.
• Manage engagement financials: forecast fees, monitor WIP, raise invoices, reduce debt.
• Perform fieldwork: data analysis, control testing, maturity assessments, evidence for conclusions.
• Present findings to stakeholders and translate technical work into business insights.
• Coach Associates and develop junior team members on technical and professional skills.
• Build cross-region networks and support new business pitches.

Skills

Data governance

AI assurance

Client engagement

Risk management

Education

CISA

ACCA/ACA/CA

IIA certificate

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Python

SQL

Databricks

Job description

Alternatively, Grant Thornton At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative. With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF. Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals. Our Business Risk Services (BRS) practice focuses on helping organisations manage risk, improve operational processes and realise strategic objectives. Our teams bring together deep sector knowledge with technical expertise to deliver internal audit, technology risk and assurance services to FTSE 100 and large, complex international organisations. The Data, AI & Analytics team provides audit, assurance and advisory services to Grant Thornton clients in the UK and internationally. We help organisations meet their data and AI obligations, strengthen governance and controls, and unlock value from advanced analytics and AI in a responsible, proportionate and business-relevant way. As an Assistant Manager, you will take day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of client engagements across data and AI governance, managing fieldwork, financials and quality under the guidance of a Manager, while supporting the development of more junior team members. You will build strong working relationships with client stakeholders and start to build the network and experience needed to contribute to the growth of the practice. We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares — we’ll support you to balance your work and life.

A look into the role

As an Assistant Manager within BRS, you will:

• Take day-to-day responsibility for delivering client engagements focused on data & AI, technology risk, managing fieldwork from planning through to reporting, working closely with a Manager or above.
• Support the planning of engagements, including risk assessments, scoping, terms of reference and audit programmes, and lead planning on smaller or less complex assignments.
• Manage the financials of your engagements, including maintaining fee and cost forecasts, monitoring WIP, raising invoices in a timely manner and minimising debt, providing regular updates to your Manager.
• Perform and take responsibility for fieldwork, including data analysis, control testing, discovery exercises and maturity assessments, and review work completed by Associates, ensuring it is completed in line with Grant Thornton methodologies and quality standards, with sufficient and appropriate evidence to support conclusions.
• Apply your growing expertise in data and AI assurance, to identify risks, generate insight and shape practical, proportionate recommendations for clients.
• Support the presentation of reports and findings to client stakeholders, translating technical work into clear, business-relevant conclusions.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and feedback to Associates, supporting their technical and professional development.
• Begin to build your internal and external network, identifying cross-service line (XLOS) opportunities, and supporting proposals and new business pitches.
• Contribute to the continued development of the practice’s data and AI assurance methodology, tools and propositions, including the use of automation and AI in internal audit delivery.
• Build strong working relationships with clients and colleagues, demonstrating professionalism, curiosity and a commitment to quality in all interactions.

Knowing you’re right for us

Joining us as an Assistant Manager with a focus on data and AI assurance, the minimum criteria you’ll need includes:

• A professional qualification (CISA, AAIA, ACA, CA, ACCA, IIA etc.), or working towards one, with experience of delivering audit and assurance engagements.
• Practical experience evaluating data governance and data management frameworks (e.g. DAMA DMBOK, DCAM) against regulatory and industry expectations.
• It would be great if you also had some of the following (but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box — we’ll support your development): Experience with using data platforms, programming languages and AI tools, such as Alteryx, Knime, Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, Tableau, Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Purview, Collibra, Informatica, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Python and SQL among others, to deliver practical and impactful analytics assurances and solutions.
• Experience of scoping, delivering, and reporting on internal audits, and in presenting conclusions to relevant stakeholders.
• Knowledge and familiarity with AI Risk Management industry frameworks and methodologies.
• Experience of building extensive and active networks across geographical regions and client organisations.

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people. We never settle for what is easy — we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Our open and accessible culture means you’ll work closely with leaders who are invested in your development, giving you the opportunity to grow your technical expertise and management capability in AI assurance and advanced analytics, while building the client and people leadership skills needed to progress your career.

Beyond the job

Life is more than work. That’s why we support flexible working options and focus on helping our people maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job — whether through innovation in AI assurance, supporting responsible use of emerging technologies, developing the people around you, or contributing to wider firm and community initiatives. It’s how it should be. The things you do, and the people you're with outside of work matter, that's why we're happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we'll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. Whether that's working reduced contracted hours, working your hours over a shorter period or utilising our 'how we work' framework. Everyone has an immediate right to request a flexible arrangement through our flexible working policy.

Read more about our approach to flexible working.