IT Assurance Manager

Royal London; Over Alderley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mutual insurance company in the UK is seeking an IT Assurance Manager to join its Risk Governance team. This role centers on ensuring effective IT risk management and compliance within the technology sector. The ideal candidate should possess strong knowledge of regulatory audits, risk management frameworks, and relevant certifications. Additionally, the position requires excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, and a proactive approach to improving risk controls. This opportunity offers a hybrid working model and competitive benefits.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Up to 14% employer matching pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of how a Group Technology function operates.
• Experience identifying control gaps and recommending improvements.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory IT audits.
• Good understanding of risk management frameworks.
• Familiarity with CobIT, ITIL, ISO or similar frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chief Technology Officer with risk accountabilities.
• Manage external audits and coordinate Group Internal Audit preparation.
• Embed Group policies in business area.
• Produce monthly risk reports for leadership meetings.
• Monitor Risk Acceptance papers through governance forums.
• Deliver the annual Assurance plan.

Skills

Understanding of Group Technology function

Control gap identification

Knowledge of regulatory IT audits

Risk management frameworks understanding

Familiarity with CobIT, ITIL, ISO

Relevant qualifications (CISA, CISM, ITIL)

Knowledge of IT audit practices

Education

Relevant qualification (CISA, CISM, ITIL)

Job description

Job Title: IT Assurance Manager

Location: Alderley Park

Working Style: Hybrid 50% home/office based

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing date: 22nd February

Overview

We have a fantastic opportunity for an IT Assurance Manager to join the COO Risk Governance & Controls team at Royal London. As part of the Strategy, Planning and Governance function, the COO Risk Governance & Controls team has been established to support the COO Senior Leadership Team in management of the COO risk profile. We work in a dynamic, fast paced environment to deliver specialist insight, consistency and quality across COO, upholding the highest standards of risk management, assurance and control.

This role will primarily focus on the Group Technology & Shared Services function to manage assurance activity to a high standard and support COO leadership in the design and operation of an effective IT risk and control environment in line with Group frameworks and external/regulatory requirements.

About the role

• Provides support and challenge to the Chief Technology & Shared Services Officer with relevant risk accountabilities, including attestations and Risk Appetite Statements.
• Provide support to ensure accurate, up to date risk registers across Technology.
• Manage external audits (IT financial, CASS, FRDCF): schedule meetings, collect evidence, escalated issues and communicate timelines.
• Coordinate the preparation for Group Internal Audit, ensuring the right contributors and accurate mapping of findings to risks/controls.
• Embed Group policies in the Technology & Shared Services business area by supporting the creation or uplifting of controls.
• Produce monthly risk reports and MI packs for Technology & Shared Services leadership risk meetings.
• Monitor and manage Risk Acceptance papers through relevant governance forums.
• Work with Technology leaders to improve controls and ensure they are fully evidenced.
• Oversee delivery of the annual Assurance plan.
• Promote strong, consistent risk and control practices across Technology functions.
• Support risk, control, event, finding and action owners in progressing their responsibilities.
• Provide monthly Assurance updates to the Technology leadership team.
• Work closely across the three lines of defence to ensure frameworks and requirements are understood.
• Day to day coaching to support the continuous development of the IT Assurance Analyst.

About you

Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of how a Group Technology function operates, including the interaction with external suppliers.
• Experience identifying control gaps and recommending improvements.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory IT audits.
• Good understanding of the application of risk management frameworks in financial services institutions or similar.
• Familiarity with CobIT, ITIL, ISO or similar frameworks.
• Relevant qualification (e.g., CISA, CISM, ITIL).
• Knowledge of IT audit practices across applications and infrastructure.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, self‑motivated and organised.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Clear communicator with strong writing and presentation skills.
• Analytical, detail focused and commercially aware.
• Comfortable challenging senior stakeholders when needed.
• Adaptable and open to change.
• Aligns with company values and encourages a positive risk culture.
• Able to coach and guide the IT Assurance Analyst.
• Confident working independently and managing team workload.

If you think you would be a great fit for our team at Royal London but don't meet all the requirements of the role, please get in touch as your application will still be considered.

About Royal London

We're the UK's largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long‑term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here - Our Benefits.

Inclusion, diversity and belonging

We're an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected - whatever their background.