Principal Auditor

Yorkshire Water; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Yorkshire Water in Leeds is seeking an Internal Auditor on a fixed-term contract until July 2027 to join the Audit team. The role focuses on planning and delivering complex audits, coordinating with senior stakeholders and driving robust risk and control frameworks.

You will work in a hybrid model with Leeds office two days per week, contribute to assurance activities, mentor junior staff, and help strengthen governance and value for customers.

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified in internal audit.
• Proven experience delivering high-quality internal audits.
• Experience in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, scope and deliver complex audits per standards.
• Lead and peer-review audits and investigations.
• Report findings to Internal Audit Manager.
• Advise on risk and control improvements.
• Collaborate with risk champions for broader coverage.
• Coach junior staff and promote continuous improvement.

Skills

Integrity

Audit experience

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Regulated sector experience

Education

Professional internal audit qualification

Job description

Location: Leeds Valley Park - Hybrid Working (two days in the office a week - Leeds).

Work type: Fixed term contract until end of July 2027 - 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Internal Auditor to join theAuditteam at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers.

Could this be you?

What we do!

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it's so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire's water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region's health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The Finance team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

Step into a role where your insight drives real impact. Lead high-value audits, influence key decisions, and shape stronger risk and control frameworks across the business. Working with senior stakeholders, you'll deliver meaningful insights, champion continuous improvement, and use data and technology to elevate audit from assurance to true strategic partnership.

Where you fit in!

As our Internal Auditor you will:

• Plan, scope, and deliver complex internal audits and reviews (including programme audits) in line with time, cost, and quality standards (IIA, BEIS, ISO)
• Lead, oversee, and peer review less complex audits and investigations
• Consolidate audit findings and report insights to the Manager of Internal Audit
• Act as a trusted advisor by delivering audit and advisory support in response to ad hoc business requests
• Liaise with other assurance providers to understand and coordinate broader assurance coverage
• Build and maintain strong relationships across departments, collaborating with subject matter experts where required
• Promote effective risk management and the development of robust internal control frameworks
• Support the Internal Audit Leadership Team in achieving departmental objectives and continuously improving audit services
• Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency within Internal Audit by leveraging data and technology for insight-driven audits
• Contribute to the development and updating of audit policies and procedures to ensure compliance with professional standards and quality frameworks
• Develop a strong understanding of business objectives, risks, and priorities while maintaining independent stakeholder relationships
• Coach and support junior or non-audit staff to drive engagement, performance, and professional development
• Demonstrate and promote agreed organisational culture and behaviours across the team
• Support delivery of the Department’s Business Plan and Performance Excellence (PEx) scorecard
• Contribute to business process improvements and continuous improvement initiatives across functions
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, statutory, and organisational requirements, including Health & Safety
• Promote and support risk management processes, collaborating with Risk Champions to identify and capture controls
• Demonstrate awareness and understanding of business performance at both departmental and organisational levels
• Uphold company values, behaviours, and high ethical standards at all times
• Recognise and celebrate strong performance while addressing underperformance constructively
• Build commercial awareness and proactively identify inefficiencies in internal audit processes

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• A motivated and credible audit professional with strong integrity and a passion for adding value
• Professionally qualified in internal audit
• Proven experience delivering high-quality internal audits in a fast-paced environment
• Able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining excellent standards
• A confident, independent thinker who can identify issues and drive practical solutions
• Strong understanding of business operations, risk management, and controls
• Skilled at building relationships and influencing senior stakeholders
• An excellent communicator with clear, impactful written and verbal skills
• A supportive team player who enjoys coaching and developing others
• Experience across major projects or complex audit environments
• Knowledge of investigations, including fraud or irregularity
• Ability to use data and analytics to generate insight-led audit outcomes
• Experience within regulated sectors (e.g. utilities)
• Comfortable working within co-sourced audit models
• Experience collaborating with subject matter experts to deliver audit plans

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it's important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn't always easy! Do we sound like your cup of tea?

The closing date for this advert is the 30th September 2026.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third‑Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.