Head of Internal Audit - Insurance

Job Description

Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation. Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues. Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers. A member of the Internal Audit leadership team, the Head of Internal Audit - Insurance is responsible for collaborating with and managing the expectations of the Executive and Senior Leadership teams to develop and oversee the delivery of independent assuranceacross the Insurance businesses (with regulatory accountability for the Stonehaven home finance business) within CLUK. What youll do: Reporting into the CLUK Chief Internal Auditor the role holder:

• Partners with key business and functional executives and non-executives, identify and understand the companys risk-based assurance priorities in the context of the Insurance businesses strategies, risk appetite and risk profile. Ensures this intelligenceis used and leveraged on a continuous basis in the development and proposal of comprehensive and proportionate independent assurance plans to the respective board audit committees.
• Oversees the execution of comprehensive and proportionate assurance plans across the Insurance businesses. In doing so, this will require liaison with the Operations, IS and Actuarial Internal Audit teams, third party consultants and Communities of Practiceto ensure the assurance activities are positioned well with all stakeholders, performed in the right context and take place at the right time. Will perform the Engagement Supervisor role on the more complex, higher visibility or strategic engagements.
• Oversees the consistent and rigorous application of the Global Internal Audit Methodology in the performance of all assurance activities (including internal audits, advisory reviews, findings tracking and ICOFR controls testing) across the Insurance businesses.In discharging these responsibilities, provides guidance, consultative support and a point of escalation for engagements, findings follow-up and closure.
• Uses the range of independent assurance techniques/outputs and business intelligence available, develop evidence-based opinions in relation to the Insurance businesses governance, risk management and control environment. As part of this work, forms anindependent opinion on the current and forward-looking risk profiles relative to that reported by the 1st and 2nd lines of defence) and ensure they are articulated and presented to executives and non-executives in a balanced, fair and constructive manner.
• Produces independent opinion-based reports, presentations and updates for the Board and Senior Management on the organisations governance, risk management and control environment in the context of the Insurance businesses current and forward-looking riskprofile. Such reporting should also draw out risk-based themes and insights, material findings and the management teams progress to address Internal Audit findings in a proportionate manner.
• Understands, keeps up-to-date with and pragmatically applies industry- and professionally-recognised benchmarks (e.g. the Financial Services Code for Internal Auditors) to inform independent assurance activities and the continuous improvement of the InternalAudit function and wider Canada Life business. In doing so, demonstrates innovative thinking, the sharing of knowledge and strong communication/influencing skills to support the delivery of optimal solutions and outcomes for the Canada Life business. And willsupport the development and delivery of Internal Audits strategic roadmap and initiatives to achieve its goals and objectives.
• Co-develops, reviews and monitors KPIs related to Internal Audits goals, strategic objectives and initiatives (on an BAU and developmental basis). Where appropriate, identifies and removes roadblocks. In this position, the role holder takes the pulse ofstakeholder/client sentiment and satisfaction and, where proportionate, addresses any concerns.
• Co-leads, motivates and develops a small team of internal auditors in a manner which is aligned with the companys purpose, strategy and risk profile and the CIAs functional and assurance strategy - this includes collaboration with global audit teams.

What youll bring to the role:

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at Board and Executive Committee level.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Excellent Interpersonal skills - able to work and communicate effectively at all levels across the organisation
• High levels of self-awareness and an ability adapt behaviour and communication style to their environment and audience=
• Excellent active listening skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable and skilled in the receipt and delivery of constructive feedback from/to stakeholders within/outside of the Internal Audit team
• Strong coaching skills, with a track record for develop team members
• Strong understanding of corporate governance standards and an ability to apply them in a proportionate and pragmatic manner - especially in the enterprise-wide risk management arena.
• Previous experience in a senior 2nd or 3rd line role in a financial services company is essential
• Excellent educational background - degree qualified or equivalent - business studies or similar discipline.
• Holds a relevant professional qualification - for example, CIIA, FCCA, FCA and other qualifications relevant to the role (e.g. CII).

What youll like about working hereAs a Canada Life UK colleague, youll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance, along with a generous pension and bonus scheme. Youll also receive the support youneed with your personal and professional development. Diversity and inclusionCanada Life is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our role as an employer of choice is to provide the right environment for talented people to do their best work, by