Head of Audit

Job Introduction

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Head of Audit to join us. The primary purpose of the role is to oversee the delivery of the Internal Audit plan through high quality planning and fieldwork, clearly-written reports with conclusions that are agreed with management and which reflect agreed working practices and Group guidance.  

Main Responsibility

Manage and oversee the planning and delivery of internal audits, control assessments and risk projects in support of the Internal Audit plan, delivering these to a high quality in accordance with agreed working practices. Support the development of the Internal Audit team through feedback, coaching, and ongoing professional development. 

Apply previous experience and accepted Group practice to oversee the development of corrective recommendations and other improvement suggestions. Agree action plans with management and support the reporting of the outcomes of audit reviews to management. 

Provide regular updates on the status of Internal Audit work to key stakeholders, together with the tracking of open audit actions.

Share knowledge and collaborate with business stakeholders to instill best practice and improve the control environment across the Group. Contribute to the improvement of risk management practices, leveraging experiences from other businesses and proactively support the identification of emerging risks and promote strategies to improve existing mitigations.

Contribute to the development of the function by raising standards of best practice and by developing and implementing tools, methodologies and frameworks that are appropriate to the needs of the function and of the business. 

Our Ideal Candidate

Essential 

• A qualified accountant with extensive experience of leading concurrent audit project teams in a dynamic, complex and multi-location and international business environment
• First-hand experience of Financial Accounting and Reporting; Financial Analysis; Commercial Finance and Business Development 
• Excellent knowledge of, and experience developing and implementing, methodologies and strategies to provide assurance over internal controls and to embed risk management activities
• Proven track record of leading, planning and delivering a range of audits or investigations into complex business processes or systems, and the generation of commercially relevant recommendations 
• Excellent written and presentation skills 
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, coupled with the ability to engage with leaders and process owners throughout the business globally.
• Confident negotiating internally, often at higher levels, on matters which could have a significant business impact
• Ability to make a balanced assessment of available information to reach objective and commercially relevant conclusions
•  Proven leader who can set objectives, performance manage and develop individuals to achieve their full potential
• Eager to learn quickly and to obtain extensive experience of an exciting, fast-moving, international business
• Willingness to travel widely, occasionally at relatively short notice
• Demonstrates strong judgement, political astuteness, and sensitivity to cultural diversity
• Ability to work co-operatively alongside others while retaining the capacity to form and articulate independent views and opinions

Desirable

• Experience across Tax, Treasury, Cost Accounting
• Qualified Internal Auditor 
• Previous experience in international business; the food and drink sector or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
• Foreign language skills (particularly Spanish or Mandarin)

What we can offer you

• We offer a competitive salary and benefits which are designed to promote our employees financial wellbeing. Employees are also eligible to participate in a bonus plan.
• Our employees enjoy a generous holiday entitlement and an opportunity to ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ some holiday entitlement.
• Private Healthcare and Doctor@Hand (remote GP service).
• Our employees can join a defined contribution pension plan. Employees contribute either 4% or 5% of salary, the company contributes 8% or 10% depending on the employee contribution. Employee contributions can be made through salary sacrifice.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme offers practical, impartial support on everyday matters ranging from medical, financial and legal to home and family issues. 
• Our Life Assurance cover is a multiple of eight times your annual basic salary.
• Product allocation so that you can enjoy our fantastic portfolio of brands.
• Our Cycle to Work scheme allows you to hire a bike for an agreed length of time, and then snap it up for a fraction of its original value. All while making savings (at least 25%) and spreading the cost.
• Every employee has the opportunity to claim up to £1,000 per year for a charity or charities for which they have raised money, volunteered their time or personally donated.
• Learning resources to help you be your best self.

About William Grant & Sons

A HOME FOR RARE CHARACTERS

William Grant & Sons: a home where Rare Characters thrive.

We value every employee for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Every one of our colleagues has a role to play in helping us to achieve our growth ambitions.

At William Grant & Sons, our vision is to be A home where rare characters thrive. We value all colleagues for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We strive to create an environment where we can all be our best and bring our whole selves to work.

OUR AGILE WORKING PHILOSOPHY

Our agile working philosophy is to “Have your best work day everyday”.
Built on trust, we empower our rare characters to have their best work day every day. Where flexibility and positive working experiences help employees to feel connected and release potential across our teams.
We are open to discussing possible agile/flexible working options as part of the recruitment process.

INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive. If you have any questions or need some support with your application we’d love to hear from you. So please get in touch with our HR team at recruitment.enquiries@wgrant.com.