Senior Internal Audit Lead — Risk, Controls & Insight

Cancer Research UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking an Internal Audit Manager to join our Stratford, London team. This role offers hybrid working with 1-2 days in the office and rewards your expertise in risk-based audits, governance, and controls.

You will deliver high-quality reports, provide risk advice, and drive improvements across the charity. You will plan audits, test controls, and coordinate actions with senior stakeholders, contributing to continuous development of audit methodologies and data analytics

Qualifications

• Internal and/or external audit experience, including planning and delivering risk-based audits and evaluating governance, risk management and internal control frameworks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, influence and constructively challenge stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and judgement skills, with the ability to assess risk, interpret complex information and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience producing high-quality audit reports and insights that support effective decision-making, drive continuous improvement and deliver meaningful organisational value.
• Strong organisational skills and a proactive approach to innovation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and leverage data analytics, automation and digital tools to enhance audit effectiveness and efficiency.
• Professional audit, accounting or related expertise, demonstrated through a relevant qualification (or equivalent experience), knowledge of audit standards and methodologies, and an understanding of, or willingness to develop expertise in, governance, risk management and emerging risks within a complex organisation.

Responsibilities

• Plan internal audit assignments, including defining audit objectives, scope and approach, to ensure audits are risk-focused and aligned to the approved audit plan.
• Conduct internal audit testing, evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls, and maintain complete audit working papers, to provide sufficient evidence for audit conclusions and recommendations.
• Prepare high-quality internal audit reports that clearly communicate findings, root causes, risks, emerging themes and recommendations, to support effective decision-making and timely management action.
• Provide advice, consultation and support on risk management, governance and internal controls, and contribute to related communications and awareness activities, to promote effective control practices across the Charity.
• Agree and monitor management actions arising from audit work, to ensure agreed improvements are implemented in a timely and effective manner.
• Contribute to the continuous development of internal audit methodologies, processes, tools and practices, including the use of digital technologies, data analytics and automation, to enhance audit quality, efficiency and insight.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of the Charity's strategy, transformation programmes, priorities, operating environment and key risks, while monitoring relevant professional and sector developments, to ensure audit work remains relevant, forward-looking and focused on areas of greatest risk and value.
• Collaborate with other assurance providers, including risk, second line assurance, External Audit and specialist regulators, to support a coordinated assurance approach, identify assurance gaps and reduce duplication of effort.

Skills

Internal audit experience

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Professional audit/ accounting qualification

Job description

Cancer Research UK is seeking an Internal Audit Manager to join our Stratford, London team. This role offers hybrid working with 1-2 days in the office and rewards your expertise in risk-based audits, governance, and controls.

You will deliver high-quality reports, provide risk advice, and drive improvements across the charity. You will plan audits, test controls, and coordinate actions with senior stakeholders, contributing to continuous development of audit methodologies and data analytics