Senior Internal Audit Manager

DFS Group; Doncaster; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Company Car or Cash allowance

Annual Bonus

Enhanced parental leave

Health cash plan from £2 a month

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension with company contributions

Life assurance

Sharesave scheme

30% colleague discount

Cycle to Work scheme

Electric vehicle lease scheme

One paid volunteering day each year

Job summary

DFS Group is a leading retailer group including DFS, Sofology and The Sofa Delivery Company. We empower teams across Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics and Regulated activities with a culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement.

We are seeking a Senior Internal Audit Manager to lead our in-house team, balancing hands-on assurance work with maturing our function alongside a strategic co-source partner.

Qualifications

• Qualified in accounting or auditing with CMIIA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• At least two years post-qualification practice.
• Hands-on internal assurance experience, not just external auditing.
• Experience reviewing retail, supply chain, IT and cybersecurity, manufacturing, or financial controls.
• Proven ability to work in matrixed environments with external co-source and internal peers.

Responsibilities

• Support GHIA in maturing the function and develop risk-based audit plans.
• Lead scoping, fieldwork, and reporting across high-risk areas.
• Build relationships across the Group and with co-source and Risk & Control peers.
• Monitor progress of management actions and ensure effective risk mitigation.
• Champion rollout and adoption of the new GRC tool.
• Conduct investigations and ad-hoc projects with integrity and discretion.

Skills

Internal Assurance

Audit Execution

Stakeholder Management

Risk Assessment

IT & Cybersecurity Audits

Commercial Mindset

Matrix Collaboration

Effective Communication

Education

CMIIA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

GRC tool

Job description

At DFS Group, we’re proud to help people create spaces they love to live in. We’re home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company: three brands with their own personalities, brought together by a shared mission.

Behind our brands is a passionate Group team. From Finance and Technology to People, Marketing and Supply Chain, our Group functions power everything we do. They create the foundations that allow our brands to thrive, innovate and grow.

Whether you’re supporting our brands or serving our customers, the mindset that connects us means we expect more of ourselves and each other. It means every customer is our favourite, every voice is valued, and every interaction is one we’re proud of.

When you’re part of a community that shares your way of thinking, the wins feel bigger. The effort feels worth it. It’s a place where people stay because they feel valued, and find room to grow because they’re challenged.

About the role

As our Senior Internal Audit Manager, you will act as a key leader within a focused in-house team, supported by a strategic co-source partner. Operating across a diverse and dynamic portfolio, including Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics, and Regulated activities, you will balance hands‑on audit delivery with supporting the Group Head of Internal Audit (GHIA) in maturing our Internal Audit function.

Grounded in our Group Values, this position is designed for a collaborative professional who leads with context, passion, and respect. You will not only deliver critical independent assurance but also act as a trusted business partner, driving continuous improvement and excellence across the entire Group.

This is a hybrid role based in Doncaster - minimum 3 days office

What you’ll be responsible for

• Supporting the GHIA in maturing the function in alignment with IIA standards. You will start with the ‘why’ to develop dynamic, risk-based audit plans that align with our strategic objectives and evolving risk profiles.
• Leading, scoping, fieldwork, and reporting across complex, high-risk areas. Your focus will be on what truly matters, identifying root causes and agreeing on pragmatic, commercially focused solutions with business leaders.
• Forging strong relationships across the Group. You will build great relationships across the business and collaborate seamlessly with our co-source partners and internal Risk and Control peers to deliver a truly integrated assurance model.
• Monitoring and reporting on the progress of management actions, holding the business accountable to ensure risks are effectively mitigated without settling for less than the best.
• Championing the rollout and embedding of our new GRC tool. You will drive team adoption, ensuring the platform serves as the definitive single source of truth for all audit reporting and action tracking.
• Conducting special investigations and ad-hoc projects with the highest level of integrity and discretion, providing critical support to the GHIA in their capacity as Company Whistleblowing Officer.

We’re looking for someone who has

• A professional accounting or auditing qualification, such as CMIIA, ACCA, CIMA, or an equivalent credential, alongside at least two years of post‑qualification practice.
• Solid hands‑on expertise focused specifically on internal assurance, rather than relying solely on external auditing backgrounds.
• Proven background conducting reviews across key business environments like retail operations, supply chain logistics, IT and cybersecurity, manufacturing, or financial controls.
• Strong track record of working collaboratively within matrixed environments, managing reviews autonomously, and partnering with external co‑source teams or internal colleagues.
• Deep technical assurance capabilities, incorporating flexible testing methodologies, thorough root‑cause analysis, and risk‑focused execution across varied operating divisions.
• A commercial mindset that evaluates assurance findings through operational reality, partnering effectively with stakeholders to land pragmatic, high‑value solutions.
• An inclusive, humble approach to collaboration, listening actively, welcoming feedback, and engaging across teams with genuine curiosity and respect for operational impact.
• Clear and engaging communication capabilities, distilling complex operational risks, key themes, and underlying root causes into concise assurance reports for executive leadership.
• A collaborative spirit and positive mindset, dedicated to driving collective success while supporting the growth and wellbeing of colleagues across the entire Group.

Room to grow

Everyone at DFS Group begins with a structured induction designed to help you understand our brands, our culture and how we work together.

From day one, you will have access to our online Learning Hub, filled with digital courses, tools and resources to support your development.

For leaders, we offer virtual workshops focused on building confident, capable leadership. We also run skills‑based workshops to strengthen core capabilities across the business.

Colleagues can also undertake nationally recognised qualifications through our apprenticeship programmes, giving you the opportunity to gain external accreditation while you grow your career with us.

We believe great work deserves great support. That’s why we offer benefits that help you grow, feel looked after, and enjoy life beyond work. Here’s what we have to offer:

• 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy up to 5 more
• Company Car or Cash allowance
• Annual Bonus
• Enhanced parental leave
• Health cash plan from £2 a month, with everyday cashback
• Employee Assistance Programme for support when you need it
• Extras like flu vouchers, menopause support and health check
• Pension with company contributions
• Life assurance for peace of mind
• Sharesave scheme to save each month and invest in our future
• Structured induction from day one
• Access to our Learning Hub and skills workshops
• Leadership development and apprenticeship programmes
• 30% colleague discount, plus 15% for friends and family, three times a year
• Discounts and cashback at hundreds of retailers
• SmartTech scheme to buy tech up to £1,000 through salary sacrifice
• Cycle to Work scheme for bikes and accessories up to £1,500
• Electric vehicle lease scheme with Octopus to help you save and reduce your impact
• One paid volunteering day each year

Equal opportunities

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and makes room for different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

We turn that commitment into action through colleague networks, trusted partnerships and recognised accessibility initiatives such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.