Value for Money Manager

Grant Thornton UK; Carlisle; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading audit and advisory firm in the UK is seeking a VFM Audit Manager to lead high-quality Value for Money reviews. You will oversee project delivery, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and coach team members towards impactful outcomes. This role offers flexible working options and is focused on promoting an inclusive culture where everyone’s contributions are valued. Candidates should have strong project management skills and experience in audit or assurance projects.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Inclusive culture

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven recent experience in leading audit or assurance projects, ideally within a VFM or public sector context.
• Ability to work independently, taking ownership of project delivery and leading others with clarity and purpose.
• Familiarity with audit methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned VFM audits, ensuring quality, timeliness, and budget adherence.
• Coach and mentor team members, promoting impactful outcomes.
• Manage complex scheduling across multiple stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Coaching and development

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

VFM Audit Manager

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Role Purpose

As a VFM Audit Manager, you will lead the delivery of high-quality Value for Money reviews, ensuring projects are scoped, planned, and executed effectively. You will manage complex stakeholder relationships, oversee team performance, and ensure that deliverables meet both internal standards and client expectations. You will play a key role in coaching and developing team members, driving continuous improvement, and promoting inclusive leadership.

Life is about more than work

The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, whether that’s reduced or condensed hours, job shares, we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. Everyone in the firm is encouraged to work in a hybrid way, want to go for a run at 3pm, or collect children from school? That’s fine with us if it fits with your client work. Our framework for how we work underpins our approach, giving us all the confidence to make decisions that work for us, and our teams.

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

A look into the role

As a Manager within our Value for Money Audit Team, you will:

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead assigned VFM audits, taking full responsibility for quality, timeliness, and budget adherence.
• Define project scope, goals, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain individual project plans, proactively identifying risks and managing overruns effectively.
• Ensure documentation and reporting are completed to a high standard with minimal review points.
• Prepare and present internal moderation submissions and AARs (Auditor’s Annual Reports), including to client Audit Committees when required.

Team Management & Development

• Drive team performance, promote a collaborative culture, and ensure that the team pulls together to deliver impactful outcomes across the portfolio.
• Lead and support graduate and assistant manager work, ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities.
• Coach and mentor team members, providing development opportunities and managing performance.
• Role model team behaviours and foster an inclusive, collaborative working environment.
• Lead initial scoping meetings with audit teams, escalating key issues appropriately.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage complex scheduling across multiple stakeholders, ensuring smooth engagement and timely meetings.
• Lead client interviews and support team members in their delivery.Communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates to the Portfolio Holder and Audit Team throughout the review.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Lead the delivery of VFM work to time and budget, managing your own workload and overseeing others to ensure efficiency, cost control, and quality outcomes.
• Review work completed by others, ensuring integrity between documentation, key findings and evidence.
• Address review points to a satisfactory standard and ensure team contributions are cohesive and impactful.
• Ensure compliance with internal deadlines, mandatory training, and time recording policies achieving the required quality grading each year and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Strategic Contribution

• Understand the pipeline of work to ensure goals are met and identify opportunities for additional capacity.
• Support the Senior Managers and Director in identifying and mitigating portfolio and team risks.
• Promote the VFM team internally and externally, identifying opportunities for growth and additional services where appropriate.
• Drive continuous improvement through efficiencies, best practices, and thought leadership.

Inclusion & Culture

• Lead inclusively, ensuring all team members have a voice and contribute meaningfully.
• Champion the firm’s Inclusion policy and lead initiatives that foster a diverse and respectful workplace.
• Address inappropriate behaviour in line with the firm’s policy.
• Role model inclusive and collaborative behaviours, contributing to a positive team culture.

Knowing you’re right for us

It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way.

• Proven recent experience in leading audit or assurance projects, ideally within a VFM or public sector context.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to coach, develop, and manage performance within a team.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Familiarity with audit methodologies and Microsoft Office tools, including documentation and reporting.
• Ability to work independently, taking ownership of project delivery and leading others with clarity and purpose.

Beyond the job

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.

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