Audit Pursuit Leader (Senior Manager, based anywhere in the UK)

Job description

Audit has a key role in building confidence and trust in society. At KPMG, we want to be the clear choice on the future of audit. And we’re looking for pursuit leaders to make sure we’re the clear choice for organisations that need assurance.

We want you to bring your passion and energy to help us win the most desirable new business and keep our most prized existing relationships. You’ll be working on opportunities for KPMG to audit some of the UK’s largest companies – as well as in some of our fastest growing areas, like ESG assurance and private enterprise.

We’re looking for people from a variety of backgrounds. We can teach you about audit and how we win in the market. What we need from you is confidence and experience of what it takes to influence people in their decision making, including developing authentic arguments and evidence-based conclusions. And the appetite to bring that experience to help us plan, prepare and present winning proposals.

About KPMG International

Together with more than 273,000 colleagues in 143 countries throughout our member firms, people at KPMG imagine big ideas and bring solutions to life for clients both big and small. A role with KPMG International will open a world of opportunity in your career.

KPMG International helps set the strategy and protects the reputation of this global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We deliver value to our member firms and drive positive change in the communities we serve. By joining us you will gain a unique understanding of how a global organization operates and work on projects that impact the whole organization. From setting standards and best practices to developing innovative tech- enabled solutions for clients, you'll be part of a global team changing the way our business operates. We look forward to welcoming you to our team.

About this Global Group

The world is facing significant social, economic and technological change. As businesses increasingly embrace the concept of stakeholder capitalism, KPMG recognizes that our success is not solely defined in financial terms. Our purpose, to inspire confidence and empower change, defines a broader contribution that encompasses not just the commitment we make to our people and KPMG’s current and future clients but also wider society and the future of professional services.

Corporate Affairs is at the heart of this work. We identify the people and actions that help shape, promote and protect the reputation of KPMG. We work with all those - internally and externally, directly or indirectly - who influence our reputation and who we must listen to, and constructively engage with, if we are to achieve our trust and growth ambition.

This is why KPMG has brought together a team of experienced professionals from across public affairs, ESG and communications. Together, we form the Global Corporate Affairs Function. Working with colleagues in member firms across our network, we are on a journey to transform the way we engage with all those people who influence our reputation.

About this team

Global Communications consists of three specialism-based teams: Strategic Communications (which is comprised of three pillars: the Global Reputation Campaigns and Programs team, the Media Relations & Issues Management team and the Social Media team), Internal Communications, and Leadership Communications. This exciting role sits in the Leadership Communications Team.

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.

Consistent, comparable, and reliable information on climate-related risks and opportunities will allow investors and capital markets to price risks and manage opportunities more accurately and efficiently. This in turn will help investors, companies, regulators, and policymakers in driving a successful and smoother transition to a net-zero and more sustainable economy. 

You will play a leading role in driving and managing climate risks and sustainability risk assessment within the audit function.

KPMG’s Major Projects Advisory (MPA) team works with some of the world’s most demanding organisations, helping to crack some of the biggest challenges in Infrastructure.