Group Assurance Manager

We’re looking for a passionate Group Assurance Manager to join our Global Risk & Assurance team! You will deliver and oversee the organisation’s Group-wide assurance programs over our Group Principal Risks (GPRs) ensuring conformance with internal policies and methodology, and relevant regulations (primarily Provision 29 of the UK Corporate Governance Code).  The Group Assurance Manager will drive the development, implementation and oversight of the assurance approach and coordination the planning, execution, reporting, aggregation and assessment of results of group-wide (non-Sox) business controls testing attestations. This role will also focus on optimising internal controls across the Group, whilst fostering a culture of risk, controls and continuous improvement.

This will also include controls in respect of Group Regulatory Compliance obligations that are determined to be in-scope for the Provision 29 attestation.

This role is based out of our Warwick office, and we’d hope to see you at least two days per week but you’re welcome to be in the office more often if that would work best for you. We’re happy to discuss any additional flexibility in working patterns or requirements that you feel could help to make this job work for you!

What You'll Do

• Lead and provide strategic oversight of the application of Group-wide assurance policies, standards and methodology in respect of the Group Principal Risks (and related-child risks).
• Develop the annual Group-wide Assurance Plan for controls testing over our Group Principal Risks, and Group Regulatory Compliance requirements supporting the Board’s attestation in compliance with the 2024 UK Corporate Governance Code (Provision 29 effective for National Grid for the year ending March 31, 2027).
• Conduct controls assurance (testing) of a selection of Group level material controls.
• Coordinate Business Unit and Function controls assurance plans including overseeing execution, findings and remediation plans, and reporting.
• Deliver reporting periodically for Group on planning, status of execution, significant findings, remediation and attestation. 
• Perform the aggregation and coordinate the evaluation and assessment of findings in respect of controls in-scope for the attestation.
• Develop and maintain strong and trusted stakeholder engagement with Business Unit and Function leaders and provide support, guidance and challenge in their assurance activities including testing carried out by 2nd Line teams.
• Deliver 2nd Line training to reinforce testing methodology and the assurance process.
• Develop and deliver periodic quality control processes and update and improve, where necessary, internal assurance policies, standards and methodology.
• Drive control optimisation efforts to improve the quality, consistency and documentation of internal controls across the Group, including identification of gaps, supporting on control design and remediation.
• Streamline and optimise our Group-wide policies, ensuring both remain aligned to delivering our strategy through addressing our biggest risks and opportunities, enabled by integrated and proportionate assurance activity.

What You'll Have

• Professional Assurance Qualification E.g. Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or equivalent.
• Controls assurance expert with strong technical knowledge from relevant qualification and experience e.g. Internal or External Audit Qualification.
• Excellent project manager able to work across multiple workstreams with different Business Units and Functions and provide appropriate coordination, oversight and communication of progress, milestones, issues and outcomes.
• Can advise on financial and operational controls and assurance best practice including process and controls design enhancements, improvements in assurance processes and tools, and the root cause analysis and evaluation of findings.
• Strong experience on the optimal use of Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) tooling and reporting. Should also have strong grasp of development and use of visualization tools (primarily PowerBi).
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and experience. Able to communicate with impact (both verbal and written) with senior stakeholders and business peers, explain findings and issues in simple business terms, and advise on appropriate evaluation and remediation of such issues.
• Experience in Utilities or related industries highly preferred.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

What You'll Get

Up to £75,000 dependent on experience.

Plus:

• Up to 15% Annual Bonus (based on personal and company performance)
• 28 days annual leave, plus eight statutory days in addition
• The option to buy additional or sell holiday days every year
• A generous contributory pension scheme - we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%
• Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions
• Life Insurance 10 x base salary.
• Family care benefits including a back-up care service for when your usual care arrangements fall through (six paid days each year as standard with the option to purchase further days).
• Access to apps which support health, fitness, and wellbeing..

Further Information

This is a hybrid working role from our Warwick office with circa 2 days in the office. The closing date for this vacancy is Midnight 30 April 25, with interviews due to take place w/c 5 May 25 onwards. We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

About us

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business

At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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