Change & Financial Services Digital Assurance Lead

The Change and FS Digital Assurance Lead is a specialist role within Group Internal Audit (GIA), responsible for leading and delivering independent assurance across strategic change initiatives, digital transformation programmes, emerging technologies and technology-enabled services across the Group, including Financial Services.

The role provides independent insight and challenge over the design, development, implementation and operation of digital solutions and change delivery practices, ensuring governance, risk management and control frameworks remain effective within a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

As technology continues to evolve rapidly, this role provides an excellent opportunity to develop specialist expertise in emerging technologies and digital assurance. The successful candidate will be supported to build knowledge of areas such as cloud technologies, agile delivery, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and modern software development practices. A strong understanding of modern system development lifecycles, software engineering practices and evolving assurance approaches are desirable to provide technology-focused assurance.

Acting as a specialist within their field, the role holder supports the wider GIA team through sharing expertise, enhancing assurance methodologies and helping build capability in technology and digital assurance practices.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Assurance Delivery

* Lead risk assessment activities and determine assurance priorities across technology, change and digital transformation portfolios including emerging technology solutions

* Plan, lead and deliver independent audit reviews and assurance activities across technology and change portfolios, ensuring work remains aligned to evolving risks and industry practices

* Partnering with first line managers and tech delivery teams to provide continuous monitoring and real-time assurance feedback to support innovation

* Provide assurance opinions and insights over existing and emerging digital solutions, including governance, development, implementation, resilience and operational effectiveness

* Evaluate controls across technology delivery lifecycles, including agile delivery, system development, change governance, release management and third-party technology dependencies

* Assess risks and controls associated with AI-enabled solutions, automation and emerging digital capabilities where appropriate

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

* Prepare clear, concise and risk-focused audit reports tailored to technical and non-technical audiences

* Present findings, insights and recommendations in a credible and commercially aware manner to senior stakeholders

* Monitor implementation of agreed audit actions and assess the effectiveness and sustainability of remediation activity

* Build effective relationships across Digital Operations, Change, Engineering, Product and Financial Services teams

* Act as the lead audit SME for technology, digital transformation and operational resilience risk. Providing assurance on regulatory compliance during / post transformation .

Functional Contribution & Technical Capability

* Support the development and enhancement of GIA assurance methodologies, tools and approaches relating to technology, digital services and emerging technologies

* Actively contribute to building technology and digital capability within GIA through coaching, knowledge sharing and practical support to junior team members

* Develop sufficient technical understanding of coding practices, system architecture and software development lifecycles to effectively challenge risks and controls within modern engineering environments

* Serve as the lead assurance subject matter expert for AI governance, emerging technologies and digital innovation, shaping the organisation's assurance response to evolving technology risks

Job Qualifications and Skills

Essential

* 5–7 years’ experience in technology audit, digital assurance, change assurance or related risk and control roles within Financial Services, Banking or Insurance

* Strong understanding of technology and change risk management principles, governance and assurance practices

* Good knowledge of modern technology environments, including agile delivery, cloud-based services, APIs, automation and digital platforms

* Awareness of software development lifecycles (SDLC), engineering practices and technology change governance

* Strong interest in emerging technologies and evolving risks, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digitally enabled customer services

* Ability to adapt quickly and continuously develop technical knowledge within a fast-moving technology environment

* Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences

Desirable

Qualifications or certifications in agile delivery, technology risk, cyber security or change management

Experience or knowledge of AI governance, cyber security, cloud controls or technology resilience

Exposure to coding, scripting, system configuration or data interrogation techniques advantageous

Experience working within digitally led or product-centric organisations preferred

Software and Technology

* Strong IT literacy across audit, reporting and collaboration tools

* Familiarity with modern digital delivery tooling, workflow platforms and technology governance processes

* Exposure to data analytics, scripting, visualisation tools or technology assurance techniques advantageous

* Understanding of AI-enabled technologies, automation tools and digitally driven operational environments desirable

Key Stakeholders

Directors and Senior Management

Digital Operations leadership

Change, Technology and Engineering teams

Financial Services management and operational stakeholders

What’s in it for you?

Hybrid working (3 days in the office at a minimum)

24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)

Annual bonus scheme

Enhanced maternity and adoption leave

Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution

Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services

A range of financial wellbeing support

Stream - a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence

Colleague discount across all N Brown brands

Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!

Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance

Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice