The Deal Execution team is part of KPMG’s rapidly expanding Strategy Group, which delivers value for clients by challenging conventional thinking, bringing deep industry and functional insights and executing with investor-grade rigour.  We are a diverse team of over 150 practitioners, working collaboratively with and orchestrating KPMG’s broad set of capabilities within our Deal Advisory business.

Head of Technology & Solutions

Location: UK (any office)

Capability: Audit

Experience Level: Partner (Salaried)

Type: Full Time

The Team

The KPMG Audit Technology team is dedicated to building cutting-edge solutions in close collaboration with the Audit function. We blend audit expertise with the latest technology, enabling us to understand the challenges our customers face daily and develop indispensable products that simplify their lives while promoting Audit Quality.

As a crucial member of the team, you will collaborate with a talented mix of Architects, Data Scientists, Engineers, Experience Designers, Business Analysts, Testing specialists, and Product Owners. Together, we build, deliver, and manage a portfolio of truly exciting products.

In recent years, our products' size and scale have rapidly expanded, leading to significant growth in our technology capability. There's never been a better time to join us.

With our ambitious growth plans, your future here is something to get excited about. As a valued team member and leader, you’ll stay current within the latest trends in technology and audit delivery.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced technology leader to join the Audit technology leadership team.

The Head of Technology & Solutions will be responsible for overseeing the development, deployment and running of all technology solutions used by the Audit business. They will work closely with the other members of the Audit technology leadership team and the global audit organisation to set the strategy and roadmap for technology solutions, including Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Analytics.

They have primary oversight of:

-             Audit technology architecture strategy;

-             Technology development and product engineering activities in audit;

-             Technology support provided to Audit by Enterprise-Wide Technology teams (ensuring services meet the appropriate levels and are cost effective) and functional support for audit products;

-             Data governance, risk and controls activities in Audit.

The individual will report to the Audit Chief Technology Officer and work alongside other members of the Audit Technology leadership team and will have a combination of directors and senior managers reporting to them.

Responsibilities

•            Cultivate collaborative relationships and network across the Audit business.

•            Overseeing engineering resources who are developing & deploying new technology solutions to the audit business (working closely with the Head of Product & Innovation). Resources will include software engineers, data engineers, cloud engineers & data scientists.

•            Maintaining the Audit technology architecture strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment with global audit and UK firm-wide roadmaps.

•            Accountable for technology support within the Audit function, including functional support and deployment activities.

•            Provide Quality Assurance and maintain compliance standards in relation to new and updated technology solutions.

•            Develop, implement, and operate controls to mitigate the risks associated with the use of technology in the business.

•            Developing and implementing a robust data governance strategy.

•            Services provided to the Audit function by Enterprise-Wide Technology, ensuring the services delivered meet the requirements of Auditors, are cost effective and provide appropriate service levels.

•            Manage the audit technology budget and resources, including oversight of FinOps practices.

•            Lead, develop and mentor the audit technology team by promoting a culture of coaching, inspiring others, prioritising wellbeing, and career development within the team.

Experience & skills

•            Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field.

•            Extensive experience in a technology-oriented field.

•            Strong technical skills, including experience overseeing software development, deployment and support.

•            Experience of managing end-to-end software lifecycles for enterprise level applications used by thousands of users.

•            In-depth experience of implementing industry standard IT service management processes.

•            Strong understanding of information technology risks and controls.

•            Ability to manage vendor relationships with key technology partners, ensuring value for money and quality of service.

•            Knowledge and experience of working in a cloud-first environment, preferably Microsoft Azure.

•            Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

•            Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

•            Ability to manage a budget and resources.

People & Culture

•            Embrace and embed our culture ambition of high challenge, high support which is grounded in Our Values.

•            Operate with a curious and sceptical mindset ensuring that this is embedded in your everyday work.

•            Actively lead and embed a coaching culture to get the best out of others in an environment where everyone in the team feels empowered to speak up or challenge where appropriate.

•            Be inclusive and embrace the opportunity to work with other teams within Audit and across the firm in an integrated way. Have a sense of community, purpose, and fun.

The Team - In Financial Transformation, we improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the finance function and generate real insights to help deliver value to the business. Our mission statement is to create a sustainable practice which is recognized as being number one in the industry.

Our Financial Transformation practice is a priority area for significant and strategic growth and the team works with leading Insurance (Life and General) organisations, focusing on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their Finance & Risk functions. The key drivers of change for our Insurance clients are Regulatory and Accounting change (including UK SOX, IFRS17, SII), Cost Reduction and Non-Financial Reporting  Transformation and our service offerings reflect this demand.

In the role, you will be responsible for managing and delivering our largest and most complex audit engagements to a high standard of quality, from planning through to completion. 

You will have your own portfolio of large and/or complex audited entities, with responsibility for agreeing audit timetables, briefing the audit team (including specialists), monitoring budgets and supervising the KPMG audit process. You will manage and nurture stakeholder relationships at audited entities throughout the engagement, working with senior level staff.

You are also likely to have a departmental role, facilitating the internal operations of running the business, for example, roles relating to finance, technology, quality, people etc. 

As an Audit Senior Manager, you will be responsible for leading teams and supervising the work of junior staff, providing coaching and development to assist them in the effective delivery of engagements. You will also have performance management responsibilities for a small number of employees.

The KPMG Military Leavers’ Programme (MLP) aims to assist suitable candidates with their transition into a career in the thriving and fast-paced professional services industry. We are looking for talented individuals that want to join us on our journey to becoming the fastest growing, most trusted and best-connected professional services firm. The Ministry of Defence has recognised KPMG with a gold award for our work with service leavers and the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant.

KPMG's Military Recruitment Programme offers Service Leavers the opportunity to undertake a 12 month fully paid contract within the firm. Providing sufficient time to learn the role, develop skills and make a genuine impact on the business.

Roles will be based in our London and Regional offices.