The Financial Conduct Authority is the UK regulator responsible for helping financial markets work well for individuals, businesses, and the wider economy. Since its establishment in 2013, it has overseen around 50,000 businesses, prudentially supervised approximately 48,000 firms, and set standards for about 18,000 of them. Its work spans consumer protection, market integrity, confidence in the financial system, financial stability, and reducing financial crime. The FCA operates from its London headquarters and offices in Edinburgh, Belfast, and Cardiff, working alongside the Prudential Regulation Authority to support compliance and enforce standards across financial services.
Lead Internal Auditor - Edinburgh Hybrid
Lead regulatory, operational, and corporate audits for the Financial Conduct Authority in Edinburgh. Manage audit teams, assess risks and controls, report findings, and influence senior stakeholders to improve assurance and governance.
Description
- Deliver audits across the FCA’s regulatory, operational, and corporate functions
- Manage audit engagements from initial planning through final reporting
- Lead audit teams, coordinate dependencies, and keep delivery milestones on track
- Assess risks and control effectiveness using evidence from multiple information sources
- Use evidence-based judgement to identify control weaknesses, emerging risks, and strategic issues
- Build relationships with and influence senior stakeholders, including Executive Directors
- Lead discussions on audit findings and challenge stakeholders constructively to drive improvements
- Prepare concise, clear, risk-focused reports for FCA leadership
- Offer practical insights and recommendations to strengthen the control environment
- Oversee a diverse portfolio of audit and non-audit assignments
- Prioritise competing demands and share emerging themes to support ongoing improvement
- Partner with data specialists to convert audit questions and testing needs into data specifications
- Confirm that data extracts and analyses support the agreed audit objectives
Requirements
- Experience in internal or external audit, including identifying and assessing material risks and evaluating key controls
- A track record of delivering internal audit or assurance reviews to agreed standards, timelines, and budgets
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to build productive relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels
- Experience leading teams through coaching, constructive feedback, delegation, and collaborative delivery
- Proven project management experience
- Ability to plan, prioritise, and complete audit reviews on schedule, within budget, and under established methodologies
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking capabilities
- Ability to interpret complex issues, test assumptions, apply sound judgement, and produce practical risk-based recommendations
- Resilience, close attention to detail, and strong professional curiosity
- Confidence to ask incisive questions, challenge constructively, and pursue issues through to resolution
Benefits
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- Non-contributory pension of 8–12%, depending on age
- Life assurance worth eight times your salary
- Private healthcare through Bupa
- Income protection
- 24/7 Employee Assistance support
- 35 hours of paid volunteering leave each year
- Flexible benefits package tailored to individual lifestyles
- At least 50% of working time spent in the office each month
- Flexible working options, including part-time work and job sharing where applicable