Head of Internal Audit, AZ Commercial

Job content

At Allianz we want everyone to bring their full self to work, so we invest in our people’s personal and professional development. This helps us build the high performing workforce of tomorrow, but don’t just take our word for it – at the British Insurance Awards we won seven awards, including General Insurer of the Year and Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year.

We’re at a pivotal moment in our history following the purchases of the LV= General Insurance Group and the General Insurance division of Legal & General, making us the second biggest general insurer in the UK. We’re building our future together, and we’re excited about the possibilities ahead – interested in being part of the team?

Position Description

This is an exciting time to join an award winning Internal Audit team that’s part of a Global audit community. The team won the “Outstanding Team – Financial Services” award at the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors 2021 Audit and Risk Awards and, as we continue to evolve our team, we are looking for an individual who can lead assurance delivery for a key business unit and support the strategic development of Internal Audit.

We are seeking a Head of Internal Audit; someone with expertise in leading an internal audit portfolio who can support the UK Chief Audit Officer in delivering the annual assurance plan as well as developing and implementing the strategy to enhance and maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of a high performing Internal Audit function.

Success in the role of Head of Internal Audit is highly dependent on the individual’s ability to influence and negotiate with senior individuals, including the other senior individuals within Internal Audit responsible for the completion of audits in the annual plan, senior individuals in the Allianz Global Internal Audit function, and senior stakeholders across the business whose support is needed to achieve Internal Audit objectives.

Working in Internal Audit gives a unique opportunity to interact with, and learn about, all parts of the business as well as being part of a Global internal audit community supporting you on your career journey.

This role can be based in the Allianz offices in either Guildford or Bournemouth, as a primary location, with some travel expected between the two sites. Under Allianz’s New Work Model, the successful candidate would be a ‘hybrid worker’, expected to work flexibly between home and office.

Please note: Based on the current company policy relating to Covid-19 working environment, the recruitment process will be performed remotely.

Key Responsibilities

Developing & Leading A Portfolio Of Audits

Leading the annual Internal Audit planning process, including co-ordinating with Global Allianz Internal Audit, engaging with business stakeholders to agree scope and timing of work, overseeing effective internal and external challenge, and reporting planning outcomes to management and Board committees.

Managing people, setting direction and deploying resources to achieve high quality and timely audit results.

Applying the Quality Management framework and providing challenge to the team around audit planning, field work and reporting.

Facilitating the preparation of impactful audit reports and leading the analysis required to identify insights.

People Management

Day-to-day team leadership, including engaging with and enthusing individuals to achieve desired Internal Audit outcomes.

Performance management, including agreeing objectives, monitoring progress, supporting the achievement of personal goals, evaluating performance, and communicating performance review outcomes and remuneration decisions.

Making resourcing decisions, including leading recruitment.

Stakeholder Management

Managing Executive-level relationships and representing Internal Audit through on-going liaison with internal and external stakeholders, including Allianz Global Internal Audit and External Audit.

Representing Internal Audit in management committees.

Working with the UK Chief Internal Auditor to prepare for and present at senior management committee and Board governance committee meetings, including deputising when necessary.

Enhancing The Purpose & Position Of Internal Audit

Developing and implementing strategic initiatives that support excellence in Internal Audit, including being able to identify emerging and leading practices from outside of the organisation.

Maintaining a network with senior internal auditors across Allianz Global Internal Audit to ensure that UK Internal Audit is up to date with current common issues and can contribute to new/emerging matters.

Developing Internal Audit Personnel

Monitoring the skills and experiences within the UK Internal Audit team and, when necessary, managing support from elsewhere in the organisation or externally through co-source partners.

Developing individuals in Internal Audit through coaching and training, including sourcing and supporting internal and external training programmes to develop the skills and knowledge required by the UK Internal Audit team to deliver current and future Internal Audit plans, as well as keeping own training and technical knowledge up-to-date.

Skills & Experience

Experience of effective leadership within an international organisation.

Extensive knowledge and experience of performing internal audits in line with International Professional Standards and UK regulators Senior Manager Regime (SM&CR).

Commercial acumen so as to facilitate better conversations with business leaders on technical matters and to help identify where risks lie.

Detailed knowledge of UK CIIA Standards and UK regulators’ expectations for internal audit.

Experience developing and implementing initiatives to support strategic enhancements in internal audit functions.

Experience of managing and working with Risk Management and Compliance.

Ability to critically analyse and interpret data (following a systematic and disciplined approach) to draw effective, objective conclusions.

Confidence to liaise with and influence staff and management at all levels.

Extensive knowledge of MS Office.

Excellent numerical and verbal reasoning skills.

Highly Desirable

Knowledge and experience of Financial Services (preferably general insurance).

Knowledge of UK financial services regulation.

Working knowledge and practical experience of IT audit.

Working knowledge of data analytics techniques in audit work including usage of DA tools; for example, Power BI, Qlik, Alteryx, MicroStrategy, and advanced Excel.

Educated to degree level 2:1 or higher at university, or relevant industry or professional qualification.

Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CFIIA, QIAL) or accounting profession or other relevant professional bodies.

For external applicants only –

Please be aware that we will require satisfactory pre-employment evidence to include DBS, Financial Probity and Fraud checks, before you can commence employment with us.

Our Benefits

Recognised and rewarded for a job well done, we have a range of flexible benefits for you to choose from – including: retail discounts and insurance cover - so you can pick a package that’s perfect for you. That’s on top of enjoying all the benefits you’d expect from the world’s number one insurance brand, including:

30 Days holiday

20% Bonus

Car Allowance £8000

Private Health

Flexible buy/sell holiday options

Global Career development benefits

Health and Wellbeing

Ensure equal pay

Flexible working arrangements

Full time and part time policies

Employee parental support

Maternity & paternity leave

Competitive bonus scheme

Generous pension contributions

Development days

A discount up to 50% on a range of insurance products including car, home and pet

Retail discounts

Allianz is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.