We have an exciting opportunity at AGS Airports Limited for a Senior Internal Audit Lead to join our HR team.
This is a permanent, full time role and will be based at Glasgow Airport.
What we can offer you:
Competitive salary and benefits package
Participation in our annual bonus plan
25 days annual holiday plus 8 public holidays
Generous pension contributions
Employee Assistance Programme
Private Healthcare
Flexible Benefit Platform
Life Assurance Cover
Free on-site car parking
Agile/Flexible working, where appropriate for the role
Job Description
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The Senior Internal Audit Lead is a key independent assurance role within AGS Airports, reporting functionally to the Audit and Risk Committee and operationally to the Chief of Staff.
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To support AGS Airports’ strategic growth, strengthen risk management practices, and enhance the internal control framework, the role holder will establish, lead, and deliver AGS’s internal audit function. This is a newly created role, with no current in-house internal audit capability as all activity is delivered by externally contracted audit services, and no immediate expectation of building a wider internal audit team.
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Responsible as the internal owner of externally sourced internal audit provision, including a co-source mandate with KPMG, ensuring scope, quality, cost, and delivery are aligned with the Audit & Risk Committee approved internal audit plan.
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Responsibility for defining internal audit priorities, multi year audit strategy, and sequencing of reviews, working with external providers engaged to execute approved audits under management direction.
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The role holder will design and deliver a proportionate, risk-based internal audit plan, providing independent assurance and insight across governance, risk management, financial and operational controls, compliance, and major change programmes.
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The role requires senior judgement, credibility, and the ability to influence at Executive and Board level.
Principle accountabilities
Internal Audit & Assurance
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Establish and maintain an independent, professional internal audit function aligned to recognised standards (e.g. IIA standards and best practice).
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Responsibility for defining internal audit priorities, multi year audit strategy, and sequencing of reviews, working to conduct audits in-house as well as with co-source providers engaged to execute approved audits under management direction.
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Develop and deliver a risk-based internal audit plan, agreed with the Audit & Risk Committee, covering strategic, financial, operational, IT, compliance, and people-related risks.
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As the principal liaison between AGS and its audit co-source provider, oversee their planning, delivery and reporting as appropriate.
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Plan internal audit reviews to be carried out in-house, including defining scope, objectives, audit programmes, and methodologies. These audits will complement the external audit activities, providing continuous monitoring, operational insights, and timely identification of emerging risks.
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Manage audit readiness across departments and coordinate audit activities.
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Lead a comprehensive mapping of AGS’s internal control environment and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management processes, and governance arrangements across AGS Airports.
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Produce clear, pragmatic, and high-quality audit reports with evidence-based findings, ratings, and actionable recommendations.
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Track and report on the implementation of agreed audit actions and management responses.
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
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Act as a trusted advisor to the Audit & Risk Committee, Executive Committee, and senior leaders.
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Present audit findings, themes, and annual opinions clearly and confidently at senior forums and Board Committees.
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Build effective working relationships across the business while maintaining independence and professional challenge.
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Liaise with external auditors and other relevant providers to ensure effective coordination and avoid duplication.
Leadership & Independence
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Operate with a high degree of professional independence, integrity, and objectivity.
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Provide an annual internal audit opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of AGS Airports’ risk management, governance, and control environment.
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Promote a strong culture of accountability, risk awareness, and continuous improvement across the organisation.
Qualifications and experience
The Senior Internal Audit Lead will require to have/be:
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Significant senior-level experience in internal audit, risk, or assurance, ideally gained within complex, regulated, or infrastructure environments.
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A recognised professional qualification such as CIA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, or equivalent.
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Experience designing and delivering risk-based internal audit plans and reporting to Audit Committees or Boards.
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Strong working knowledge of internal control frameworks, governance best practice, and enterprise risk management.
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Experience in using data analytics, audit tools, and emerging technologies to enhance audit efficiency and insight, with particular emphasis on the application of AI and advanced analytics in audit processes being highly desirable.
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Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively at Executive and Board level.
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Proven ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and manage a broad audit portfolio without a large team.
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High professional credibility, sound judgement, and a strong ethical compass.
Framework & Boundaries
The role is an integral member of the Chief of Staff leadership team and operates with a high degree of autonomy and independence, subject to oversight by the Audit & Risk Committee. It requires sound judgement, resilience, discretion, and the ability to deal with sensitive issues at senior level. The role holder must balance effective challenge with pragmatic, value-adding partnership.
Interfaces
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Audit & Risk Committee
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AGS Board of Directors and Shareholders
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AGS Executive Committee
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Chief of Staff / Chief Finance Officer
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Senior Leaders across Operations, Finance, Commercial, IT & Digital, Capital Projects, HR, Sustainability and Procurement
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External Auditors and other 3rd Party Suppliers
Inclusive Recruitment Process
Diversity & Inclusion is important to us here at the AGS Group. We want to ensure that our process is inclusive for all applicants. If you have any questions or need any support with your application, we are here to help. Please contact our recruitment team at [email protected]
