Internal Audit Manager

Job Introduction

Bradford Finance is undergoing significant change and investment. Having been under resourced for a number of years it is now entering a new phase of development and strategic focus in order to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans. 

A restructure has recently completed with the department now comprising four key teams: Management Accounting; Corporate and Strategic Finance; Projects, Systems and Commercial; and Internal Audit, Risk, Business Development and Improvement. The restructure includes significant additional capacity and investment in training and development. 

A new service plan is being developed during 2025 with a clear strategic focus and direction including a development plan to focus on delivering financial literacy across the organisation, while at the same time, elevating the impact of the Finance team within the organisation to support and drive the Council’s strategic plans whilst delivering its financial sustainability and recovery programme. 

The team has recently been highly instrumental in the last 12 months in helping the Council secure: 

• The lifting of the Best Value Notice put in place in February 2024 by February 2025, an unprecedented achievement.
• A very positive review by CIPFA about progress being made in Bradford to become financially sustainable.  CIPFA cites progress being made in several key areas, including the addressing of risks identified in the previous review of 2023. They also report that financial planning in Bradford is robust, savings proposals are well considered and are being delivered, even where choices are difficult.
• Completion of the 2025/26 budget much earlier than previously.
• Closure and audit sign off of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 accounts in the last 4 months, both with an unqualified opinion.
• A very positive half year report by the Council’s Independent Board.

The Internal Audit Manager is crucial to the development and delivery of the Council’s internal audit plan as well as providing assurance on its risk management, governance and internal control arrangements. The post is key to developing and providing a strategic vision for the future development of the service to enable the council to meet its future challenges whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement and delivering value for money. This role is an opportunity to make a real difference in our vibrant and diverse city. 

We are looking for an experienced individual to help lead and develop the service as one of our two dedicated Internal Audit Managers. Reporting to the Deputy Head of Internal Audit the successful candidate will be expected to lead, develop and ensure implementation and review of a range of internal audit activity across a number of service departments and the West Yorkshire Pension Fund.  

 The main responsibilities of this role are:

• To support the Deputy Head of Internal Audit in providing leadership, proactive and creative advice on the most effective governance, risk management and internal control arrangements, and deputise as required. 
• To ensure that the Council makes arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs in accordance with statutory guidelines, Accounting and Audit Regulations and the Council’s Financial Regulations. 
• To lead a team responsible for the delivery of a defined area of the Audit Plan, requiring the need to plan, supervise and control the associated assignments by the Audit Team and also undertake your own assignments as per the Audit Plan in accordance with Public Sector Internal Audit Standards. 
• To provide strategic professional advice on internal controls, systems and procedures to Strategic and Assistant Directors to enable service departments to effectively manage their resources in a controlled and effective manner. 
• To actively seek opportunities for excellence, capacity building, continuous improvement in the performance and development of the Internal Audit Service to facilitate best value in service delivery. 
• To deal with complex, sensitive and confidential matters on a regular basis, frequently using own initiative to reach creative solutions on making recommendations to Strategic Directors, Assistant Directors, Departmental Management Teams, elected members and other senior managers. 
• To develop and maintain working relationships with senior officers, other Council services, external agencies, external audit and peer groups working corporately and cooperatively to ensure the service is at the forefront of innovation and change. 
• To represent and promote the Council on Internal Audit issues at appropriate local, regional and national forums and maintain and develop working relationships with professional bodies and other groups to ensure effective representation and promote meaningful networking. 
• To act as ambassador for Internal Audit by showing professionalism, high personal standards of integrity and courtesy at all times. Promote this culture throughout the organisation. 
• To organise, deliver and participate in training events to improve the skills, knowledge and understanding of staff both, in Internal Audit and elsewhere. 
• To raise governance and risk management awareness across the Council and widen ownership of good governance and managing risk to all staff. 
• To assist in preparing reports to Governance and Audit Committee and Corporate Management Team. 
• To undertake consultancy work including the identification and promotion of Value for Money solutions. 
• To perform investigations and undertake reviews on behalf of top management reporting findings directly to senior management and Members as appropriate.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact

• Mike Thomas on 07738 128501 or email Mike.Thomas@Bradford.gov.uk. 

Further information is available through the links below, along with the attached Job Profile and Candidate Information Pack.

Budget Meeting of Council - 06 March 2025

Statement of Accounts - 2023/24

CBMDC - External Assurance Review

Employee Offer

Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf .

Equal Opportunities 

We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re-assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants. 

 The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.