IT Security Audit & Assurance Manger

GKN Automotive; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global automotive technology firm is seeking a Security Audit & Assurance Manager in Birmingham. This role involves managing audits, ensuring compliance with IT standards, and collaborating internationally. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in IT audits, strong communication skills, and relevant industry certifications. Attractive salary and benefits offered, with opportunities for international travel.

Benefits

Attractive salary and benefits

Opportunity for international travel

Long-term commitment options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading IT and Information Security audits in a global organisation.
• Experience with Policy & Procedure Audit / Control maturity.
• Strong understanding of IT systems, information security, and IT controls.
• Experience in developing and implementing IT audit strategies and annual plans.
• Ability to identify and communicate IT audit findings to senior management and clients.
• Experience in collaborating with IT departments to run risk assessments.
• Ability to prepare and present reports that reflect audit results.
• Experience in maintaining open communication with management.
• Knowledge of current IT legislation and standards.
• Experience in supervising, training, and mentoring IT audit staff.
• Ability to coordinate with external auditors.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver the annual security audit plan.
• Lead risk-based audit & assurance activities.
• Act as the contact for external audit parties.
• Provide assurance information to external parties.
• Report audit outcomes to IT Directors and Executive Team.
• Manage individuals within the audit team.

Skills

IT and Information Security audits

Policy & Procedure Audit

IT systems understanding

Developing audit strategies

Communicating audit findings

Risk assessments collaboration

Report preparation

Communication with management

IT legislation knowledge

Training audit staff

External audit coordination

CISA certification

Industry security frameworks

OT audit frameworks

Manufacturing industry experience

Education

Relevant industry certifications (CISA)

Degree in a related field

Job description

Security Audit & Assurance Manager

About GKN Automotive: GKN Automotive is a world‑leading global automotive technology company at the forefront of innovation. Its origins date back to 1759 and for the last 70 years it has been putting key technologies into series production. We are the trusted partner for most of the world's automotive companies, specialising in developing, building, and supplying market‑leading drive systems and advanced ePowertrain technologies. GKN Automotive is part of Dowlais Group plc, a specialist engineering group focused on the automotive sector.

What you'll do:

The Security Audit & Assurance Manager is a key member of the IT Security function. As part of the role, you will be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and point of contact for internal and external IT and Information Security audits for GKN Automotive. This role requires deep audit expertise, and the ideal candidate must have a proven track record of developing and delivering comprehensive audit plans for a global organisation. They must be experienced in international compliance standards.

Day to day duties will include:

• Managing, maintaining, and delivering the annual security audit plan on behalf of the IT Security team.
• Lead risk‑based audit & assurance activities for IT, OT and information security processes and controls' effectiveness on a regular basis.
• Act as the point of contact for external parties who are engaged to conduct audit & assurance activities.
• Providing assurance information to external parties.
• Reports and communicates all audit outcomes, actions, and opportunities for improvement to the IT Directors, Legal Counsel, Executive Team and functions.
• Reporting audit outcomes to regulators or customers if required (subject to legal counsel approval).
• Managing individuals within the team to ensure successful delivery of audits.
• Provide reporting to KPIs.
• Some international travel (approx. 25‑30% of the year) to support onsite audit processes.

What you'll need:

• Proven experience in leading IT and Information Security audits in a global organisation.
• Experience with Policy & Procedure Audit / Control maturity.
• Strong understanding of IT systems, information security, and IT controls.
• Experience in developing and implementing IT audit strategies and annual plans.
• Ability to identify and communicate IT audit findings to senior management and clients.
• Experience in collaborating with IT departments to run risk assessments and ensure compliance with IT standards.
• Ability to prepare and present reports that reflect audit results and document processes.
• Experience in maintaining open communication with management and audit committees.
• Knowledge of current legislation and standards related to IT and Information Security.
• Experience in supervising, training, and mentoring IT audit staff.
• Ability to coordinate with external auditors and provide necessary support.
• Relevant industry certifications such as CISA.
• In‑depth knowledge and understanding of industry security frameworks and best practices including TISAX/ISO 27001&2/CIS/NIS 2/UK Corporate Governance Code.
• Experience of OT audit frameworks such as IEC 62443 is highly advantageous.
• Manufacturing industry experience is highly desirable, particularly in automotive.

Why you'll love working here:

• Market‑leading company with lots of potential.
• Opportunity to take part in brand‑new company projects.
• Attractive salary and benefits at a stable and financially healthy company.
• An organisation where you can commit to the long‑term.
• Working in the OneIT team with colleagues around the globe.

How to apply:

Please follow the link on our careers page and submit your resume in English because we are an international environment, and English is our business language. If you need any adjustments made to support your application, for example, if you require information in different formats, or if you have any accessibility issues, then we have a process in place to support you – please feel free to get in touch with us at [e-mail].

Deadline:

The closing date will be November 28th 2025.

GKN Automotive is the market leader in conventional, all‑wheel and electrified drive systems and solutions. With a comprehensive global footprint, we design, develop, manufacture and integrate an extensive range of driveline technologies for over 90% of the world's car manufacturers. As a global engineering company, innovation is what differentiates us from our competitors and is central to our success. A balance of cultures, ethnicities and genders help bring new ideas and creativity to GKN Automotive. We need people of different backgrounds, with different skills and perspectives to spark originality, imagination and creativeness in our teams around the world.

GKN Automotive is an equal opportunity employer. We treat all our employees and applicants fairly and are committed to ensuring that there is no discrimination or harassment against any employee or qualified applicant on the grounds of age, race, creed, colour, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process. Please contact us to request any such accommodation.