Quality Manager
Location – Remote, with occasional travel to client sites
Salary – Grade 8 (£48,226 - £52,413 per annum), depending on experience
Permanent, full-time
37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with flexible working available
About SWAP
SWAP Internal Audit Services is an award-winning, not-for-profit internal audit partnership providing high-quality, cost-effective assurance services to public sector organisations across the UK. We are proud of the role we play in helping our partners strengthen governance, manage risk and improve internal control. As a remote-first organisation, we offer flexible ways of working, a supportive team culture and opportunities to develop your career while making a meaningful contribution to public services.
What you’ll do
As Quality Manager, you will be responsible for the operational delivery of SWAP’s professional methodologies and quality assurance arrangements across internal audit and specialist services. This will include the development and delivery of training. You will help keep guidance, templates and tools current, practical and compliant; plan and undertake internal file reviews; track improvement actions; and support staff to apply changes in practice. Working closely with the Director of Professional Practice, Assistant Directors, managers and specialist leads, you will identify themes, share learning and embed continuous improvement across all services.
The role also supports the administration of the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management framework by coordinating risk register updates and maintaining reliable records. The Quality Manager is expected to engage in technical discussions on audit methodology, quality assurance, professional practice and ERM with staff at all levels and relevant external contacts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Quality Assurance and Methodology
- Maintain and curate the audit manual/guidance, methodologies, templates, and supporting tools for internal audit and specialist services.
- Translate changes in professional standards, Company policy and agreed practice into clear, proportionate and usable procedures.
- Plan, coordinate and deliver a risk-based programme of sample quality assurance reviews across completed and live engagements.
- Apply independent professional judgement to file reviews, record findings clearly, and agree proportionate improvement actions with engagement teams.
- Analyse review results to identify recurring themes, systemic issues, good practice and opportunities for improvement.
- Maintain the quality action tracker, validate completed actions and escalate overdue or significant matters to the Director of Professional Practice.
- Prepare quality reports and evidence to support the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP), external quality assessment and other scrutiny, while promoting consistency across reviewers and teams.
Coaching and Continuous Improvement
- Brief staff on methodology, template and standards changes through clear written guidance, workshops, drop-in sessions and other ongoing practical support.
- Maintain and deliver a role-based induction programme for new audit staff that aligns with the audit manual.
- Provide coaching, constructive challenge and technical support to auditors, managers and specialist staff to strengthen professional judgement and quality.
- Work with Assistant Directors, managers and specialist leads to gather feedback, refine methodologies and embed improvements across services.
- Support the piloting and implementation of new tools, technology and working practices, ensuring quality, independence and record-keeping requirements are addressed.
Enterprise Risk Management and Corporate Support
- Coordinate routine updates to enterprise risk registers, liaising with risk owners and maintaining complete, current and accurate records.
- Support the preparation of risk reports, meeting papers and action logs, and provide practical guidance on risk descriptions, controls, actions and evidence.
- Handle sensitive quality, risk and performance information with appropriate confidentiality, professional scepticism and independence. All employees involved in the processing or handling of data have an obligation to comply with the terms of both the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Company’s Data Sharing Protocol. Where applicable, all employees will also comply with each Partners’ Data Protection Policies.
What you’ll need
Essential criteria
Significant internal audit experience at Principal Auditor level or equivalent, including planning, delivery, supervision and review of complex assignments.
A relevant professional qualification in internal audit, or assurance, or demonstrably equivalent professional experience.
Strong knowledge of the Global Internal Audit Standards, relevant public-sector requirements, ethical principles and the operation of a Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme.
Experience of file review, quality assurance, methodology development or comparable professional review activity, with the ability to reach clear evidence-based judgements.
Excellent attention to detail, combined with the ability to take a practical and proportionate view of risk and quality.
Strong coaching and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical standards into usable guidance and give constructive challenge.
High levels of integrity, discretion and professional independence, with the confidence to raise and escalate quality concerns where necessary.
Strong organisation and follow-through, with the ability to manage a programme of reviews, actions, methodology updates and ERM administration.
Demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. This means:
Treating colleagues, clients, and stakeholders with dignity and respect at all times, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance.
Challenging and reporting discrimination, harassment, or bullying wherever it is encountered.
Supporting and contributing to a culture where everyone feels valued, included, and able to be themselves at work.
Complying with all relevant legislation, including the Equality Act 2010, and the organisation’s own EDI frameworks and codes of conduct.
Full right to work in the UK.
It would also be helpful if you have
- Experience of internal audit within local government or the wider public sector.
- Experience of using data analytics or other audit tools to support delivery and insight.
- Knowledge of IT audit, systems controls or digital risks.
Benefits of Working for SWAP
- A flexible, remote-first working culture supported by collaborative systems and tools.
- Opportunities for professional development and internal progression.
- Professional training and Institute of Internal Auditors membership.
- Enhanced family-friendly, sickness absence and annual leave provisions.
- Volunteer leave to support a cause or organisation that matters to you.
- Access to the People’s Pension Scheme, with additional life insurance.
- Health and wellbeing support, including a choice of Medicash or CSSC, occupational health, counselling, an Employee Assistance Programme, free eye tests and flu vaccinations.
- Tailored equipment to help you work comfortably and effectively.
- A range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
- A friendly, supportive team environment with a relaxed dress code.
- Opportunities to take part in company events and learning days.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented in our profession or workforce. SWAP is accredited under the Disability Confident Scheme and actively encourages applications from candidates with disabilities. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to support this.
If you are interested in this role but do not meet every requirement, we would still encourage you to apply if you believe your skills and experience are a good match.
If you are looking for a role where you can make a meaningful contribution to public services while continuing to develop professionally, we would welcome your application.
To apply
Please submit your application, including:
- Your CV (maximum two pages); and
- A covering letter or supporting statement (maximum two pages) outlining your interest in the role and how your skills, experience and personal qualities make you a strong candidate.
If you would find it easier to apply in an alternative format, please contact us via [email protected] to discuss this. Further information about the job can be found at www.swapaudit.co.uk/careers
We recognise that some candidates may use digital or assistive tools to help prepare their application. If you use AI tools to support your application, please briefly tell us how they were used.
Pay: £48,226.00-£52,413.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
- Free or subsidised travel
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Paid volunteer time
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Work Location: Remote
