At Network Rail, we keep Britain moving-maintaining and operating a safe, reliable railway for passengers and freight users. We are committed to delivering a high-performing network that puts customers, safety, and continuous improvement at the heart of everything we do.
The Southern Region is one of the busiest and most complex parts of the railway. Our teams support millions of journeys every day, working across integrated track and train operations to deliver a safer, more reliable and more efficient railway system.
We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail and Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.
As part of this, the Governance, Risk, Assurance & Improvement (GRAI) team plays a critical role in enabling the Southern Railway System to operate with confidence -connecting governance, risk management, assurance and improvement to support better outcomes across the Southern Rail System.
About the Role:
The Southern Governance, Risk and Assurance (GRAI) team are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Functional Audit Manager to lead our regional audit team.
This role will contribute to the overall assurance strategy and efficiency of the Southern Rail System. You will be responsible for leading and directing an audit team, overseeing internal operating controls, processes, and practices, ensuring compliance with the Health and Safety, Quality, Environment and Asset Management Systems and technical standards.
Through data analysis, your team will provide valuable assurance insights to the GRAI leadership team, Southern Region senior management and Integrated Business Units.
You will also operate as part of a wider governance, risk, assurance, and improvement community, where audit insights contribute to data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement activities across the organisation.
What you'll be doing :
- Lead and implement the regional 3 Lines of Defence Integrated Assurance Plan and assurance mapping, ensuring risks are covered, controls are effective, gaps are identified, and duplication is removed.
- Lead and develop a high-performing functional audit team, building capability, setting standards, and driving continuous improvement across audit delivery.
- Coordinate third-line assurance activity across the Region, including planning, delivery, and reporting of regional audits.
- Support delivery of second-line audit plans and first-line self-assurance, ensuring a consistent and joined-up assurance approach.
- Oversee audit planning, delivery, and reporting, ensuring findings are clearly communicated and acted on. Work with key stakeholders to strengthen governance and drive continuous improvement.
How to apply External-
£55,596 - £67,813 Plus an Inner London allowance of £3,270. Late applications will not be accepted.
- Generous annual leave , plus statutory days, with the option to buy or sell additional leave
- Defined benefit pension scheme , providing long term financial security
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Travel benefits , including:
- Up to 75% subsidised rail and underground season tickets
- Up to 75% discount on leisure rail travel
- Interest free loans for season tickets and station car parking
- Health and wellbeing support
- Enhanced family policies
- Carer's leave , recognising caring responsibilities outside of work
Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
Closing date : 04 August 2026 - Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
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You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard:
Depending on the role, candidates that are made a conditional offer, may be a required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your offer will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results will be securely held on Sentinel database and a five-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
Network Rail adheres to pre-employment Baseline Personal Security Standard (BPSS), this is government standard for pre -employment vetting. BPSS government standard pre-employment vetting requires Network Rail to screen a potential employee's unspent criminal convictions and undertake 3-year career checks. Employment at Network Rail is subject to employees meeting the BPSS government standard pre-employment vetting.
Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or another irrelevant factor. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should demonstrate their personal commitment to safety in their application.
Network Rail positively embraces flexible working recognising that employees may wish to balance work and family/home life.
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