Senior IT Audit Manager

Barclay Simpson; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 30–60%

38 days annual leave

Private medical cover

Pension scheme (12x salary)

Life assurance

Income protection

Flexible working

Job summary

Barclay Simpson supports a leading UK financial services organisation in recruiting an experienced Senior IT Internal Audit Manager to oversee technology audits across Cyber Security, IT Operations, Operational Resilience and Data Governance.

You will influence IT audit strategy, challenge senior stakeholders including CTOs and CISOs, and drive innovative audit techniques in a regulated environment with a focus on AI-enabled approaches.

Qualifications

• CISA qualification is essential.
• Leadership experience in audit leadership roles.
• Experience challenging senior technology stakeholders (CTOs/CISOs).
• Strong understanding of technology risk across cyber, data and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee a portfolio of IT audits within a highly regulated environment.
• Provide independent assurance over Cyber Security, IT Operations, Operational Resilience and Data Governance.
• Engage with senior technology stakeholders and influence audit strategy.
• Identify emerging technology risks and develop actionable recommendations.
• Coach IT Audit Managers and junior staff to deliver high‑quality outputs.
• Support business audit teams with specialist tech risk expertise.
• Introduce innovative audit techniques, including AI-enabled approaches.

Skills

CISA

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Audit & assurance

Tools

Cloud environments

IT infrastructure

AI in auditing

Job description

Our client is a leading UK financial services organisation with a strong market presence and a commitment to delivering long-term value for its customers. Operating within a complex and highly regulated environment, the business continues to invest in technology, digital transformation and operational resilience, creating an exciting opportunity for experienced audit professionals to influence risk management and governance at a senior level.

Role Overview

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior IT Internal Audit Manager to join an established Group Internal Audit function. This senior leadership role will take responsibility for overseeing a portfolio of technology audits, providing independent assurance across Cyber Security, IT Operations, Operational Resilience and Data Governance.

Working closely with the Head of IT & Change Audit, the successful candidate will influence the technology audit strategy, challenge senior stakeholders and help develop modern audit practices, including the use of AI and emerging technologies.

Day-to-Day Activities

• Lead and oversee a portfolio of complex IT audits, managing priorities, resources and delivery from planning through to reporting.
• Provide assurance over Cyber Security, IT Operations, Operational Resilience, Data Governance and outsourced technology services.
• Engage with senior technology stakeholders, including CTOs and CISOs, providing independent challenge and practical recommendations.
• Identify emerging technology risks, control weaknesses and wider themes across the organisation.
• Coach and develop IT Audit Managers and junior colleagues, supporting high-quality audit delivery.
• Support business audit teams with specialist technology risk and control expertise.
• Work closely with the Head of IT & Change Audit to introduce innovative audit techniques, including AI-enabled approaches.
• Monitor emerging risks, including AI and Frontier AI, and assess their implications for technology governance and controls.

Experience Necessary

• Extensive IT Internal Audit experience within financial services or another complex, highly regulated environment, with a proven track record of managing portfolios of technical IT audits.
• Strong technical expertise across Cyber Security, IT Operations, Operational Resilience and Data Governance, including experience auditing cloud environments, outsourced services and technology infrastructure.
• Demonstrable leadership experience, including coaching audit professionals and influencing senior technology stakeholders at CTO, CISO and senior management level.

Qualifications & Skills Needed

• CISA qualification essential, with additional certifications such as CISM, CISSP or AIAA advantageous.
• Strong understanding of UK technology risk regulations, IT control frameworks and emerging risks associated with AI and new technologies.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and analytical skills, with the confidence to challenge senior leadership and deliver clear, commercially relevant audit findings.

Benefits

An attractive package including an indicative 30–60% bonus, 38 days’ annual leave, private medical cover, an excellent pension scheme, life assurance of 12x salary, income protection and flexible working arrangements.