Principal Auditor

Job Introduction

We’re raising the bar in Internal Audit.
Together, we’re the moment makers

About the role
Do you want a values-centred career that transforms local people’s lives every day? Our Principal Auditors are a crucial part of our in-house audit team and will provide high-quality audit services, supporting council services with proactive audit advice and collaborative working to meet our customer and community needs. With our structure, our Principal Auditor roles offer clear career progression, allowing you to develop and progress your career with Oxfordshire County Council.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Principal Auditor to join our friendly and collaborative Internal Audit Team. You will provide independent assurance on the system of governance, risk management, and internal control that supports the management of strategic and operational risks across Oxfordshire County Council. The role will involve completion of strategic audits, managing a programme of internal audit activity, supervising audit resources, and presenting findings and recommendations to senior managers.

We are looking for a candidate who displays professionalism, excellent communication skills, and the ability to adapt to the needs of the client and work under pressure, whilst remaining positive and solutions-focused. We are looking for an enthusiastic team player, interested in building positive relationships within the team and client department, who is also confident, independent, and comfortable recognising and managing corporate risk.

About us

Together, we're the moment makers and we're focused on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you'll look around and say, "I make a difference." Because we're all creating lasting change to people's lives in Oxfordshire.

It’s not a job – it’s a passion and together, we’re shaping audit services for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire by supporting them to live the lives they want to live.

Oxfordshire County Council’s audit service is on an exciting journey of transformation and re-shaping.

Our audit team structure is designed to ensure our audit services can deliver for the future, now.

Our structure has multiple entry routes and clear career progression, so you can make the most of your career and development, whilst working for the common good of our communities.

Every day you’ll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free-thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions.

Our residents are at the heart of everything we do and our approach to supporting them must be as diverse as they are. We’re not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.

We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself – while raising the bar for the future of UK internal audit services, together.

Are you in?

About you
You’re free-thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. You’ll be supportive and energised; you don’t accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage.

Principal Auditor

• Ideally you’ll be a fully qualified CCAB or Chartered Internal Auditor, or willing to work toward full certification. We’ll also consider those with experience in leading a programme of internal audits.
• You will have knowledge of Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, and experience including the development and delivery of the Internal Audit Charter and Quality Assurance Improvement Programme.
• Experience in managing a programme of internal audits including planning and supervision of resources, client management, and quality assurance.
• Good working knowledge of Local Government – specifically governance frameworks, risk management methodologies, and systems of internal control.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective verbal and written communications with elected members and senior managers.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, collate, and record data accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to uphold professional standards at all times, maintaining independence and effective challenge and escalation when required.

Fundamentally, you’ll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because we’re here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire.

This role allows for Hybrid Working with travel to Oxford required for meetings occasionally, offering you the flexibility to balance your work and personal commitments. Enjoy the benefit of getting your evenings and weekends back, allowing you to spend more quality time with your family and pursue personal interests.

Rewards and benefits

• Technology to support agile working
• Up to 33 days’ holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk