Internal Audit Manager

To support the Senior Internal Audit Manager as part of DLA Piper's Internal Audit function to deliver the agreed Internal Audit Plan, including scoping, planning and executing audits that assess the design and effectiveness of key controls across the international firm. Undertake additional audit, investigation and assurance activities as required to support Senior Management.

DLA Piper's third line of defence provides independent and objective assurance to Executive Management and the Risk & Audit Committee on the design and effectiveness of the firm's internal controls, including compliance by DLA Piper’s first and second lines of defence teams with internal policies and procedures as well as best practice, applicable laws and regulations.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Support the Senior Internal Audit Manager to develop the annual risk-based Internal Audit Plan for the international firm.
• Support the Senior Internal Audit Manager to scope and deliver individual audit reviews across the international firm in accordance with the approved annual Internal Audit Plan, ensuring technical excellence and a practical, business-driven approach. This will include the identification of risks and controls within specific audit engagements, and drafting of audit tests to address the audit objectives.
• Work collaboratively within the Internal Audit Team and across the Enterprise Risk, Office of General Counsel and Financial Compliance Teams to ensure a consistent approach to risk management, internal controls and assurance is maintained throughout DLA Piper.
• Prepare structured and clear internal audit reports for all completed audits detailing the agreed audit findings.
• Track the delivery of all recommended actions by auditees to address and remediate audit findings, obtain supporting evidence for closure of audit actions and prepare reports for updating the Executive & Audit & Risk Committee on remediation progress status.
• Test and monitor compliance with internal policies and procedures as well as best practice, applicable laws and regulations across the international firm.
• Deliver ad-hoc assurance reviews and deep dives of strategic initiatives and issues as requested by Senior Management and the Audit & Risk Committee.
• Develop Internal Audit MI for presentation and discussion in senior governance forums of DLA Piper, including the Audit & Risk Committee.
• Contribute to improvement and evolution of internal processes and templates of the Internal Audit team.
• Develop effective relationships with partners, fee earners and business services teams and work closely with key business stakeholders.
• Develop meaningful relationships, becoming a trusted advisor for the partnered business areas.
• Contribute to continuous monitoring of changes in business activities, operations and evolving risks through participation in regular meetings with Management.

About you

• A qualified audit professional (ACA / ACCA / CIA) with direct internal or external audit experience from a Big 4 Accounting Firm; minimum 5 years experience.
• Experience in the definition and delivery of firm-wide Internal Audit Plans.
• Practical knowledge and experience of audit procedures, from scoping, planning, testing, agreement of actions and reporting of findings.
• Experience in the tracking and oversight of the delivery of audit actions with management owners in accordance with agreed audit timescales.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, skilled at drafting structured and precise audit reports.
• Experience of working effectively with cross-functional areas within a matrix structure.
• Be a self-starter who is able to work on their own initiative and independently, as well as being part of a team.
• A relationship builder able to influence a diverse stakeholder group across international locations.
• Possesses a high level of commercial acumen and analytical skills.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous situations, demonstrating a flexible and collaborative working style.
• High level of professionalism and personal accountability.

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

For our people, that means a world of opportunity. You'll shape the future, have the freedom to seize opportunities, and discover your own path. Together, we unlock our potential and redefine what we can achieve.

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That's why we are open to agile working.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.