Southampton City Council
Chief Internal Auditor
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We have an exciting opportunity for a Permanent, Full Time, Audit Manager to join Southampton City Council (SCC) in the Internal Audit & Counter Fraud Team
About The Team
Our Internal Audit and Counter Fraud team provides independent assurance and advice on governance, risk management and control, while also proactively identifying and investigating fraud and irregularity. We work across all services, supporting improvement and safeguarding public funds through a combination of audit, advisory and counter fraud activity. The team plays a key role in promoting strong governance, transparency and accountability across the organisation.
About The Role
- Provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of the Council’s governance, risk management and internal control arrangements, delivering the annual audit opinion in line with GIAS.
- Lead and manage the Internal Audit & Counter Fraud Service, delivering a risk-based audit plan and providing strategic advice to Members, senior management and the Audit Committee.
- Provide expert assurance, challenge and support on governance, risk, internal control, value for money, fraud prevention and organisational improvement.
- Lead the Council’s counter-fraud, whistleblowing, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and anti-tax evasion arrangements, including investigations into suspected fraud and misconduct.
- Act as the Council’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and lead engagement with the National Fraud Initiative.
- Ensure compliance with the Global Internal Audit Standards through effective quality assurance, performance management and continuous service improvement.
- Lead the Council’s Combined Assurance Framework, maintaining strategic relationships with assurance providers, external audit and key stakeholders.
- Drive the development of data analytics and technology-enabled auditing, while providing assurance over information governance and data protection.
- Lead, develop and motivate the Internal Audit & Counter Fraud team, ensuring the service has the skills and capacity to meet organisational needs.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of corporate, directorate and service plans, promoting strong governance and effective risk management across the Council.
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For further information about this role please view the job description.
About You
- Significant senior-level experience leading an Internal Audit and Counter Fraud function, including strategic audit planning, resource management, service improvement, and developing high-performing teams
- Extensive knowledge of local government, governance, risk management and the regulatory environment, alongside experience delivering complex and technical audit reviews and supporting effective governance arrangements
- Able to interpret complex, ambiguous and often conflicting information, apply critical thinking and professional judgement, and develop practical, risk-based solutions to support strategic decision-making
- Excellent communication, reporting and presentation skills, with the confidence and credibility to influence senior officers, elected Members, Audit Committees and external stakeholders
- Resilient and have political awareness and leadership capability to manage competing priorities, maintain professional independence and successfully deliver strategic objectives in a complex and fast-changing environment
If you feel you have the necessary background, experience, and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.
What We Can Offer You
- Salary: The salary band for this role is £94,853 - £104,158 per annum. The starting salary is £94,853 with annual progression through the salary bands.
- Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.
- Excellent Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
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Contact Details For Informal Discussion
For further information on our benefits package please visit:
For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Mel Creighton, Executive Director for Enabling Services at
Interview Information
The selection process will consist of the following stages:
Preparation Time
Candidates will be given up to one hour to prepare for a presentation based on a brief provided on the day.
Panel Interview and Presentation
The formal interview will begin with the candidate delivering their presentation, followed by a structured panel interview.
Stakeholder Panel
Candidates will also take part in a separate stakeholder engagement session with a cross-functional panel of approximately 2–5 colleagues, designed to assess collaboration, influence and organisational fit.
Recruitment contact details:
Tel: 023 8083 4033
For More Information About SCC Please Visit
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