SoQM - Technical Senior Manager

Job description

Grade:              Senior Manager

Job Title:          SoQM Technical Senior Manager

Team:               SoQM CoE

Locations:         Any KPMG UK office (Hybrid working)

Capability:        Audit

Service line:      Audit

Contract type:  Permanent

Summary of role purpose:

This is an exciting opportunity in a new role within the System of Quality Management (SoQM) Technical team within the newly established SoQM Centre of Excellence during a period of significant change for the SoQM. 

QC1000 is a new quality control standard from the PCAOB to be implemented by 15 December 2025.  While the assessment of the incremental requirements of QC1000 and the differences from the current UK / International Standard ISQM1 are being led globally, further detailed assessment of the differences and implementation of additional changes will be required at the UK level and are not only likely to result in the implementation of new or amended controls, but also in system and/or operational changes.

Feedback from our regulator, the FRC, and requirements of QC1000 have prompted the firm to consider the acceptable timeframe for completion of SoQM activities, and what processes and support are in place to ensure Process and Control Owners meet those expectations. 

The SoQM Technical team provides technical support to the business by performing the iterative risk assessment process alongside stakeholders, ensuring controls have been appropriately designed to address the risks, providing SoQM training and guidance to the business and responding to regulator requests.

Description of the role:

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support the business with the design and remediation of controls and review control documentation to help ensure the appropriate design of UK SoQM controls to address identified risks and objectives and ensure consistent quality.
• Support the SoQM Technical Director in interactions with the Global SoQM team and EMA SoQM Groups.
• Support the SoQM Technical Director and Audit leadership with regulator queries and demonstrating how the specific ISQM 1 and QC 1000 requirements fit into the broader SoQM and the firm’s quality goals.
• Work closely with the Compliance Assurance Programme team to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of SoQM testing.
• Monitor and communicate relevant global communications and information to the business, tailoring as necessary and act as a central point of contact between the Global SoQM team and UK SoQM stakeholders as necessary.
• Manage the UK iterative risk assessment process, including that for Gibraltar and assurance work.
• Prepare MI and drafting reports for governance bodies.
• Manage and review output of junior team members.
• Manage the completion of relevant sections of the KQCE file (Global SoQM tool).
• Work with the business / L&D identify, develop and to roll out additional UK SoQM training and guidance.
• Maintain regular dialogue across the business to assess SoQM impacts of new programmes and other business changes and to embed appropriate quality controls in new systems and process.
• Help to identify potential process and control improvements and work with the business to design / implement these.
• Share knowledge with the team and coach junior team members.
• Motivate and generate commitment from team members.

What will you get from the role?

Diverse and challenging work - the role involves tackling complex quality issues, including assessing and mitigating risks, which keeps the work challenging and intellectually stimulating.

Collaboration - you will have organisational exposure to senior management and subject matter experts primarily across Audit and KBS. The successful candidate will need to collaborate effectively with other members of the SoQM CoE and stakeholders across the 1st and 2nd line to achieve the common goal of designing, implementing and operating an effective SoQM.

Driving innovation - you will have the opportunity to work with Process and Control Owners to design innovative solutions to remediating quality issues and/or implementing new controls. 

Public trust and accountability - you will play a crucial role in ensuring that the firm meets the highest standards of quality, ethics, and compliance, directly impacting the firm's reputation and the trust of audited entities and clients.

People and 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 accountable, professional and act in the public interest, working for the benefit of shareholders of audited entities and wider society.
• 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 person:

Experience and knowledge requirements:

• External or internal audit or compliance background in a professional services organisation (E)
• Experience of designing, documenting and/or testing non-financial controls (E)
• Project management and team leadership experience (E)
• Experience of oversight of teams and coaching / mentoring colleagues (Managers and Assistant Managers) (E)
• Knowledge of ISQM1 / QC1000 (D)
• Understanding / experience of large organisational structures (D)

D = Desirable

E = Essential

Behavioural Attributes and Skills:

• Highly effective project management skills (E)
• Strong ability to apply critical and analytical thinking to technical requirements to develop effective, high quality and pragmatic solutions (E)
• Excellent attention to detail and confidence to express views (E)
• Demonstrates a commitment to high quality work (E)
• Highly effective stakeholder management and relationship building skills; credible and confident with stakeholders at all levels (E)
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal and ability to communicate key messages to senior partners, governance bodes and the audit regulator (E)
• Able to work flexibly and inclusively and embrace the opportunity to work with other teams across the firm in an integrated way (E)

D = Desirable

E = Essential

KPMG overview:

KPMG in the UK is part of a global network of firms that offers Audit, Legal, Tax and Advisory services. Through the talent of over 16,000 colleagues, we bring our creativity, insight and experience to solve our clients’ and communities’ biggest problems. We’ve been doing this for more than 150 years.

We aim to be universally recognised as a place for great people to do their best work. A firm known for our collaborative and inclusive culture, using technology to empower and equip our people to deliver outstanding work with real flexibility – through inspiring workspaces, innovative ways to collaborate and hybrid ways of working.

With offices across the UK, we work with everyone from small start- ups and individuals to major multinationals, in virtually every industry imaginable. Our work is often complex, yet our mission is simple: To support the UK in a connected world. It guides everything we do, underpinned by our values: Courage, Integrity, Excellence, Together and For Better.

KPMG are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and we seek to attract and retain the best people from the widest possible talent pool.

As a member of the Business Disability Forum we're committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the Recruitment Process.

We pride ourselves on being a place where your individuality is valued; you can be yourself and still achieve your potential. We believe that your individuality helps us to deliver the best results to our clients. Diversity of background, diversity of experience, diversity of perspective - that's the KPMG difference.