Audit Group Manager (Assurance)
Full time / Part time
Salary: £52,994 to £59,975, with potential for further progression to £67,530 with our pay progression scheme.
Location: Hybrid
Contracted to our Wilmslow office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.
Why work for the ICO?
1. Pay progression scheme.
2. Hybrid and flexible working options.
3. 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
4. Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).
5. Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).
6. Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
7. Health Cash Plan.
8. Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.
Further details can be found on the benefits section of our.
Job summary
Do you have internal audit experience?
Be part of a team who carry out audits of public and private companies, public authorities and government departments, looking at whether they have effective controls in place alongside fit for purpose policies and procedures to support their data protection obligations. Join the team who protect the information rights of the public.
As the Audit Group Manager (Assurance) you will be responsible for the development, as well as the effective and efficient delivery, of these services. This includes the delivery of a professional and proactive service and leading, developing and motivating teams. You will take ownership of the strategic development of an annual programme of assurance work and ensure the continuous improvement of our services.
You will be responsible for overseeing high-priority and complex Assurance activities including audits conducted under an Assessment Notice. Where necessary, Group Managers may be responsible for managing such engagements from inception to completion.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.
As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful.
Job description
Assurance activities focus on helping organisations implement appropriate and effective controls in relation to their information rights obligations. Our approach utilises powers of audit and assessment, voluntary engagement and promotion of good information rights practice. The department activity and focus is shaped by the strategic direction of the ICO, its corporate plans and emerging areas of information rights risk.
As well as audit work, the department works with other ICO departments and external stakeholders to promote good information practices. We are constantly evolving our approach and looking for new and innovative ways to help organisations achieve compliance.
Key responsibilities:
9. Ownership of the development of a comprehensive strategy for the Assurance department, and leading the implementation of this strategy.
10. The development of the annual programme of work across both public and private sector organisations in line with the department’s strategy.
11. The management and development of Team Managers and staff within the department including the monitoring and review of individual performance and supporting individual development. This includes ensuring that team members are clear about expected standards of performance, motivated and professionally developed.
12. Oversee audit teams in high-priority, technically complex Assurance work, including audits and follow-up work, particularly in relation to the GDPR and DPA 2018.
13. Ensuring the effective allocation of resources to deliver the department’s services and activities.
14. Taking ownership of deliverables produced by the department for internal and external stakeholders, in particular ensuring the quality of written output.
15. The development, monitoring and review of policies, processes, and procedures, including continued development of a risk-based approach, ensuring activities are delivered consistently and within agreed timescales.
16. Assist the Head of Assurance in monitoring the effectiveness of the team and using this information to continually improve standards and effectiveness.
17. Liaise clearly and confidently with all internal and external stakeholders to plan, agree, schedule, and deliver Assurance activities and act as a key point of contact for these activities where required.
18. The promotion of ICO assurance activity through representation at both internal and external conferences and meetings with controllers and their trade groups and associations.
19. Manage and lead individual project work to ensure it meets strategic objectives.
20. Manage and lead department projects and initiatives as required, ensuring they meet strategic objectives and implementation is achieved on time and in budget.
21. Deputise for the Head of Assurance as necessary.
22. Comply with ICO Policies and Procedures
Person specification
Essential criteria assessed at application stage:
23. Substantial experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience.
24. Experience of conducting compliance audits or assessments
25. Experience of managing teams operating in a compliance assessment environment.
26. Ability to lead significant projects.
27. Excellent intellectual and analytical ability in order to be able to apply complex legislation to a variety of practical circumstances.
28. Excellent standard of literacy and effective written communication skills
Essential criteria assessed during interview:
Excellent intellectual and analytical ability in order to be able to apply complex legislation to a variety of practical circumstances.
29. Ability to rapidly assimilate and digest large volumes of information
30. Ability to lead significant projects.
31. Strategic thinker, able to take the lead and work to achieve organisational goals.
32. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relations with senior staff in external organisations
33. Ability to work under pressure, prioritise and handle large workloads.
34. Ability to develop and manage staff performance
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.
Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you have a disability or impairment and require an alternative application method, please email the HR team at.
Closing Date
Please submit your CV by 23:59, 31 July 2024
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date should we receive sufficient applications. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.
Please note that post holders for this role will be required to receive security clearance to, at least, SC level and possibly DV. This requires the disclosure of spent and unspent convictions. Although convictions will be taken into account, any such information will not necessarily prevent you from obtaining a security clearance.