Business Manager & PA - Internal Audit

Role Title: Business Manager & PA - Internal Audit

Division: Internal Audit

Location: London

Contract: Perm

Hiring Manager: Bernadine Burnell

Working pattern: Hybrid

About the Role

The Business Manager and PA will enable the effective operation of the Internal Audit function and provide high-quality executive support to the Chief Internal Auditor. The role combines proactive business management, governance coordination and functional oversight with confidential personal assistance, ensuring priorities, resources, meetings, information and actions are managed in a structured and timely way.

Working closely with the Chief Internal Auditor and the wider team, the role holder will translate strategic priorities into coordinated delivery plans, maintain an effective operating rhythm, produce clear management information and support continuous improvement. They will exercise sound judgement, discretion and attention to detail when handling sensitive matters and engaging with senior stakeholders.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Support the Chief Internal Auditor in managing the function’s operating rhythm, priorities, annual plan, key deliverables and governance calendar.
• Act as PA to the Chief Internal Auditor, providing proactive diary and inbox management, coordinating meetings and correspondence, arranging travel and expenses, and anticipating administrative requirements.
• Plan and coordinate leadership and team meetings, including agendas, papers, minutes, decisions and action tracking, ensuring timely follow-through.
• Coordinate business planning, budgeting, resource planning, recruitment activity, headcount tracking and supplier management for the function.
• Prepare clear and accurate management information, dashboards, audit plan updates, committee papers and reporting packs for senior management and governance forums.
• Maintain oversight of functional priorities, actions, risks, issues, dependencies and deadlines, escalating matters requiring attention or decision.
• Coordinate responses to requests from the Audit Committee, Board, Executive Committee, regulators, external auditors and other senior stakeholders.
• Maintain effective records, document repositories, governance logs and audit trails, ensuring information is controlled, accessible and handled in line with confidentiality requirements.
• Support internal communications, team engagement and the coordination of functional events, planning sessions and colleague activity.
• Identify and implement opportunities to simplify processes, strengthen governance, improve information quality and increase the efficiency of the Internal Audit function.

• Build effective relationships across Internal Audit and with senior leaders, committee secretariats, Finance, People, Technology, Risk, Compliance, external audit and other key stakeholders.
• Handle commercially sensitive, confidential and personal information with discretion, integrity and sound judgement.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, constructive challenge and continuous improvement within the team.

About you

If you meet some of these criteria and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply

• Substantial experience in a business management, executive assistant, personal assistant, governance or chief of staff role, ideally within Internal Audit, financial services or another regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of the purpose, independence and governance of Internal Audit and its role within the three lines model.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to coordinate complex activities, manage competing deadlines and anticipate requirements.
• Highly effective diary, meeting and correspondence management skills, with experience supporting a senior executive.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise papers, presentations, minutes and executive-level updates.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence engaging with senior leaders, committee members and subject matter experts.
• High levels of discretion, integrity and judgement, with the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Analytical and detail-focused, with the ability to interpret information, identify themes and produce accurate management information.
• A proactive, adaptable and collaborative approach, with a strong focus on service quality and delivery.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel; experience of audit management, governance or workflow systems would be advantageous.

Measures of Success

• The Chief Internal Auditor is supported proactively, with effective diary management, well-prepared meetings and timely handling of correspondence and actions.
• A clear, disciplined and well-managed operating and governance rhythm is maintained across Internal Audit.
• Management information, committee papers and functional reporting are accurate, insightful and delivered on time.
• Priorities, resources, risks, issues, decisions and actions are visible, clearly owned and progressed effectively.
• Functional processes and records are efficient, consistent, well controlled and continuously improved.
• The Chief Internal Auditor, Internal Audit colleagues and key stakeholders provide positive feedback on the quality, responsiveness and professionalism of support.