Executive: Head of Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme

Support the CIA in the development, maintenance, and ongoing evolution of the IA methodology to ensure it remains risk based, fit for purpose, and aligned to IIA Standards, regulatory expectations, and Group policies. Ensure the IA methodology adequately supports both traditional and technology enabled auditing, including data analytics, automated testing, and continuous assurance techniques. Establish and maintain minimum quality standards for audit planning, execution, documentation, and reporting, including analytics enabled audits. Ensure alignment between the IA Audit Enablement System, methodology documentation, and supporting templates. Ensure timely communication, training, and embedding of methodology changes across the IA function, including onboarding of new joiners. Lead and manage a specialist QAIP and Professional Practices team to efficiently deliver independent quality assurance, improvement initiatives, and assurance outcomes in line with the approved QAIP. Provide clear direction, performance management, coaching, and development to team members, ensuring the sustainability of quality capability within the IA function. Maintain close and effective working relationships with the Chief Internal Auditor, IA Leadership Team, and Extended Leadership Team to support continuous improvement in audit quality, methodology, and professional judgement. Exercise independent challenge in engagements with IA management where quality, consistency, or objectivity may be at risk, while maintaining constructive and professional relationships. Maintain professional and credible working relationships with external auditors, independent assessors, and other assurance providers in the context of External Quality Assurance Reviews and related activities. Oversee and manage co sourced and externally provided QAIP and Professional Practices resources, ensuring quality standards, independence, and value for money are maintained. Engage with IA Learning and Development to translate QAIP findings and skills assessment outcomes into targeted capability building initiatives across the IA function. Where required, engage directly with the Chairman of the GACC and senior stakeholders on QAIP related matters, including quality themes, systemic issues, and remediation progress. Certification or formal training in Quality Assurance and Improvement Programmes and/or External Quality Assurance Reviews is strongly preferred. Ongoing professional development in areas such as internal audit standards, professional practices, and technology enabled auditing (including data analytics) is required. Financial services industry experience, preferably within the Banking sector or a similarly regulated environment. A minimum of twelve to fifteen years' experience in risk based internal auditing, risk management, or risk and control activities, with demonstrable experience in Quality Assurance and Improvement Programmes within an Internal Audit function. Practical experience in the execution and/or management of internal quality assessments, including file reviews, thematic reviews, and methodology conformance assessments. Experience supporting or managing External Quality Assurance Reviews (EQARs), regulatory inspections, or independent assurance reviews, either within an Internal Audit function or through an external assurance provider. Experience operating within complex, matrixed, and geographically dispersed organisations, including oversight of co sourced or outsourced audit delivery models. Knowledge and Skills: Extensive experience in risk based internal auditing, risk management, or risk and control activities within a complex, regulated environment. Deep understanding of the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF), IIA Standards, and quality assurance expectations, with the ability to apply these pragmatically in practice. Strong capability to exercise sound professional judgement and to evaluate the appropriateness, consistency, and insightfulness of audit conclusions, ratings, and recommendations. Ability to communicate clearly, credibly, and with influence at very senior levels, including Audit Committee and executive management. Demonstrated experience in driving sustainable change and continuous improvement, translating quality findings into practical actions that enhance audit effectiveness and impact. Ability to think and operate at an enterprise wide level, balancing quality standards with delivery realities across diverse portfolios, geographies, and delivery models. Proven experience leading and developing teams in complex, matrixed environments, with an adaptable leadership style and a strong focus on talent development and performance management. Working knowledge of technology enabled auditing approaches, including the use of data analytics, automated testing, and audit enablement platforms, sufficient to assess quality and fitness for purpose. Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes of quality issues and assess the sustainability of remedial actions. Demonstrated thought leadership, pragmatism, and professional credibility, with the ability to influence quality outcomes without compromising independence or objectivity.