Financial Assurance and Compliance Manager

Overview

In this University-wide role you will strengthen financial controls and protect the University from fraud, shaping the second-line assurance and counter-fraud agenda. You will influence across Finance and the wider University, building credibility and guiding proportionate solutions without formal authority. You’ll lead a developing Financial Assurance and Compliance function and advise senior stakeholders on complex matters. This is a chance to impact controls, risk management and organisational resilience at a world-leading institution.

Pay / Benefits

• 38 days annual leave
• generous family leave scheme
• hybrid and flexible working
• contributory pension
• cycle loan and travel schemes
• access to clubs and community

Responsibilities

• Develop and shape the counter-fraud strategy and second-line financial assurance programme across the University
• Provide assurance to senior management and the Audit & Scrutiny Committee
• Lead and develop the Financial Assurance and Compliance team and collaborate with senior stakeholders
• Advise on complex or sensitive fraud matters and strengthen prevention and detection mechanisms
• Identify systemic weaknesses from issues and use data/insight to drive control improvements
• Influence risk management and controls across a highly devolved organisation, enhancing governance and internal controls

Key requirements

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience
• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant experience in second-line assurance, governance, risk management, internal control or audit
• Strong understanding of governance, internal control frameworks, financial assurance methodologies and fraud risk management
• Practical counter fraud experience, including risk assessments and prevention/detection/response approaches
• Knowledge of fraud investigations and ability to provide informed guidance in complex cases
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders without formal authority
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to distinguish isolated issues from systemic risks
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills for trust, clarity and influence
• Strong leadership experience, developing teams and leading change in complex environments

• influencing senior stakeholders
• communication and relationship-building
• leadership and change management
• fraud risk management
• risk assessments
• governance and internal control frameworks

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