Senior Internal Audit Manager

DFS Group; Doncaster; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus

Pension

Health cash plan

Cycle to Work

Electric vehicle lease

Volunteer day annually

Job summary

DFS Group is seeking a Senior Internal Audit Manager to lead our in-house audit team with support from a co-source partner. You will balance hands-on delivery with driving maturity of the internal audit function across diverse areas, delivering independent assurance and partnering with business leaders.

You will champion risk-based planning, robust testing, and the rollout of our new GRC platform, while maintaining the highest integrity in investigations and whistleblowing support.

Qualifications

• A professional accounting or auditing qualification.
• Hands-on experience in internal assurance, not just external audits.
• Reviews across retail, logistics, IT/cyber, manufacturing or financial controls.
• Collaborative in matrixed environments with external co-source or internal teams.
• Technical assurance with testing, root-cause analysis and risk-focused execution.
• Commercial mindset to land actionable, high-value solutions.
• Inclusive, respectful collaboration and strong stakeholder engagement.
• Clear, concise communication of risks to executives.

Responsibilities

• Support GHIA in maturing the function and aligning audit plans with IIA standards.
• Lead scoping, fieldwork, and reporting across high-risk areas.
• Forge relationships across the Group and with co-source partners.
• Monitor management actions and ensure effective risk mitigation.
• Champion adoption of the new GRC tool for audit reporting and tracking.
• Conduct special investigations with discretion, supporting whistleblowing processes.

Skills

CMIIA

ACCA

CIMA

Internal assurance

Education

Professional accounting qualification

Tools

GRC tools

IT controls

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.

If your experience does not quite match every part of the role, we’d still love to hear from you.