Band 3 Senior Internal Assurance Lead

Job Purpose

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is the UKs independent nuclear regulator, responsible for ensuring that the nuclear industry controls its hazards effectively and maintains the highest standards of safety, security and safeguards.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Internal Auditor or Assurance Lead to provide independent, objective assurance on ONRs governance, risk management and internal control framework.

This is a critical role at the heart of public service, supporting ONR in delivering its mission to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations. Internal Audit plays a vital role in strengthening organisational performance, improving systems, and safeguarding public confidence.

About The Role

As a Senior Assurance Lead, you will lead and deliver risk-based audit engagements across ONRs regulatory and corporate functions.

You will act as a trusted advisor and critical friend, providing insight, challenge and assurance to senior leaders, helping to ensure effective decision-making in a complex, high-hazard regulatory environment.

ONR Operates a Three Lines of Defence model and you will perform Internal Assurance reviews in line with the second line of defence and Regulatory Assurance reviews acting on behalf of the third line of defence.

Principal Responsibilities

• Deliver end-to-end internal assurance assignments, including planning, fieldwork, reporting and follow-up, in line with professional standards.
• Develop and execute risk-based audit plans, aligned to ONRs strategic risks and priorities.
• Provide independent assurance on governance, risk management and internal control effectiveness, including undertaking embedded assurance reviews.
• Produce clear, concise and impactful internal assurance reports with practical recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships across ONR to influence and support continuous improvement.
• Monitor and track implementation of audit recommendations, ensuring timely resolution of findings.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of assurance methodology, tools and practices.
• Support ad hoc reviews, investigations and advisory work as required.
• Promote a strong culture of risk awareness, accountability and learning across the organisation.

Line Management Responsibilities

• As part of this role there will be an expectation to manage staff.

Location / Travel

This post may be undertaken from a base at any one of ONRs office locations (Bootle, Cheltenham, or London).

ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend time in the office on a regular basis, recognising that some work is better done face to face. Managers will work with their teams on what works best to meet individual, team, business and organisational needs to enable collaboration, as well as balancing personal choice and wellbeing.

Work with Us

Our colleagues are from all walks of life with varied personal experiences and career journeys into ONR. We want the best people for our roles. As an inclusive employer we value individuals contributions, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief. Our values supportive, open-minded, fair and accountable are central to this. We invest in our people to build capability, resilience, and promote wellbeing in our great teams, underpinned by our inherent focus on inclusion and excellence.

Security Clearance

SC

Person Specification

Inclusion

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure the recruitment process is inclusive and barrier-free. If you require reasonable adjustments as part of your application, please contact ONR HR as soon as possible, preferably before the vacancy closes, by emailing [email protected]/ or [email protected]to discuss further.

We will also offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the guaranteed interview scheme.

We recognise we have a role to play in helping those leaving the Armed Forces and have a Veterans guaranteed interview scheme. We offer an interview to Veterans who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the scheme. Please see eligibility criteria below.

• served for at least one year in His Majesty's Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve).
• be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, His Majestys Armed Forces.
• not already be employed by ONR.

Skills/Job Related Expertise

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable experience delivering internal audit or assurance reviews in a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of risk management, governance and internal control frameworks.
• Proven ability to analyse complex information and make risk-based judgements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience of building effective relationships and providing constructive challenge.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within a regulated industry.
• Knowledge of government risk frameworks (e.g. Orange Book).
• Experience of data analytics tools to support audit delivery.

Qualifications

A relevant professional qualification (or working towards), such as:

• Chartered Internal Auditor (CIA)
• CCAB-qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)