Principal Auditor

Gmca; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority in the UK is looking for an experienced Internal Audit specialist to join their team in Manchester. This role involves delivering complex audits, providing assurance to senior management, and working within a hybrid framework. The ideal candidate should be a qualified professional with strong analytical and communication skills, committed to delivering a high-quality audit service. Competitive salary range of £44,075 - £48,226 depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Previous experience delivering complex audit assignments in a public sector environment.
• Sound knowledge of governance, risk management, and internal control processes.
• Good sector knowledge and experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a wide portfolio of audits from the internal audit plan.
• Report to the Senior Leadership Team and GMCA Audit Committee.
• Develop a good understanding of functional areas and identify risk.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Agility in applying skills

Education

Qualified internal audit professional (IIA, ACCA, CIPFA or equivalent)

Job description

Salary

£44,075 - 48,226 (depending on experience)

Hours

36.25 hours per week - flexible options would be considered

Location

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Tootal Buildings, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU (with some travel around GM Region) - Flexible arrangements are available.

Advert closing date

Sunday 23th November 2025

My role

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Internal Audit specialist to join the GMCA Internal Audit team and be part of a progressive and innovative organisation. Ideally you will be someone who has a previous track record of delivering complex audit assignments in a public sector environment, with sound knowledge of governance, risk management, and internal control processes.

You will be responsible for the delivery of a wide portfolio of audits from our internal audit plan which covers the activities of the Combined Authority (including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and GM Waste functions). Reporting to the Head of Internal Audit and working with other Internal Audit and risk colleagues, you will have the opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of GM through the audit and assurance work that we undertake. The combination of local government and blue light emergency service really makes the role unique.

About you

Ideally you are a qualified internal audit professional (IIA, ACCA, CIPFA or equivalent qualification) with good sector knowledge and experience and highly motivated to deliver a first-class audit service. With good analytical skills and a proven ability to plan and deliver a variety of strategic and operational risk-based reviews either working autonomously or as part of a team.

You have excellent written and verbal communication skills and capable of relationship building with a wide variety of senior stakeholders. You are agile and can apply your skills to new areas and topics and have strong technical knowledge.

To be successful in this role, you will have to

• Develop a good understanding of the different functional areas, the processes they operate and the culture they work in, identifying key priorities and areas of risk.
• Be involved in delivering audit assurance and advice across all areas, reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and GMCA Audit Committee.
• Provide appropriate challenge and influence to ensure colleagues put the right improvement actions in place to address identified issues.
• Pull together audit reports, which are concise, focus on key actions and add value.
• Continually look for ways of improving audit processes and specialist areas such as fraud and data analytics.

For more information about the recruitment process, or to discuss the role, please contact Damian Jarvis (Hiring manager for this role), at [e-mail]

About us

As an employer, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of a number of key Greater Manchester strategic functions and service providers including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS); Waste and Resources; Environment; Work and Skills; Research; Public Sector Reform; Police, Crime and Criminal Justice; Homelessness; the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub and the Commissioning Hub.

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, Trans status and non-binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

Our offer

In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here: GMCA offer - Green book.docx

Mandatory Information

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCA's hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to 'Build Back Fairer' in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our Manchester city centre office / Fire and Rescue service HQ in Swinton / other location with remote working, typically from home; the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: 'Do what is right for you and the business on that day'. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.

BASIC DBS

The role holder will be subject to a Basic level check by the Disclosure & Barring Service.