Role purpose

To develop and deliver effective internal audit and assurance services to King’s College London, with specific reference to the CUC Higher Education Audit Committees Code of Practice, the King’s College London Board Assurance Framework model, and best practice professional standards. Ensure that the university remains compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements, reporting to the College Council, through the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, on the adequacy and effectiveness of these arrangements, and making recommendations for improvements across the University where necessary.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships and communications with the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee (ARCC) and other stakeholders to ensure concerns are addressed and expectations met. • Lead on the development and delivery of the University’s Board Assurance Framework (BAF) and, working with the ARCC and with senior executive colleagues, embed it into core operations. • Develop a risk-based internal audit strategy and annual plan with reference to the University's Board Assurance Framework and Strategic Risk Register, in consultation with the Vice-Chancellor and President and their senior executive team, with the University Secretary and Director of Assurance, with Directors of Professional Services and Deans of Faculties and in accordance with the direction and oversight of the ARCC acting on delegated authority of the University Council. • Provide leadership in the ongoing development and effective implementation of audit plans, programmes and procedures in line with IIA standards to evaluate the adequacy of the University’s internal control environment. • Report regularly to the ARCC on progress against the agreed annual IA plan, on the findings and agreed recommendations of internal audits, and on periodic progress against these. • Supported by the Assistant Director for Internal Audit, provide leadership and direction to the Internal Audit team and manage all internal audit activities. • Prepare an annual internal audit report that summarises the year's work and results, including the annual internal audit opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the University's arrangements for risk management, internal control, governance, and value for money. • Supported by the Assistant Director for Assurance, lead and direct the work and ongoing development of the assurance team, to include project assurance, research assurance, and information security assurance. • Work with the Data Protection Officer to champion compliance with Data Protection and Freedom of Information requirements across the university. • Support the accomplishment of strategic objectives and help ensure that established financial, operational and compliance practices, and the related controls, are designed and operating effectively. • Work with the network of senior university officers responsible for legal and regulatory compliance at subject matter and local level to build an effective framework for ensuring compliance across the University. • Investigate any suspected fraudulent or irregular activity in accordance with the University's Fraud Response Plan and report the results to the ARCC and the Vice Chancellor and other senior staff as appropriate. • Subject to approval of the allocation of time by the University Secretary and by the Chair of ARCC, conduct value for money and process reviews with a view to making recommendations that will improve controls and efficiency for the University. • To oversee the procurement of any external assurance services or consultancy, including the tender of the external audit contract. • To keep abreast of legal, regulatory, and statutory developments in the internal audit, assurance, risk and compliance domains. • Foster a healthy work environment and promote a culture of high ethics and standards across the business with sound audit best practices governed by due diligence across the various divisions and business units. • Keep under constant review the effectiveness of the Internal Audit and Assurance functions through robust self-assessment and peer review processes to promote continual improvement. • Any other duties that may be required by the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee or by the University Secretary and Director of Assurance. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.