Group Assurance Senior Specialist

Position:
Senior Group Assurance Specialist – Warwick, UK. This role is part of the Chief Risk Office and operates on a hybrid working model that combines office‑based and remote work. Reporting into the Group Assurance leadership team, it plays a key part in strengthening risk management and assurance across the National Grid Group.

Support the delivery of the organisation’s Group-wide controls testing programme over Group Principal Risks (GPRs) and their child Business Unit Principal Risks, ensuring conformance with internal policies, methodology, and relevant regulations, including Provision 29 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024. The Lead / Senior Analyst will work with the Group Assurance team and key stakeholders to execute the controls testing plan, raise findings, evaluate severity, and report to the Line Manager.

In addition to the testing program the role will also be involved in project work to optimise and standardise internal controls, support the design and implementation of new controls, and promote a culture of risk awareness and continuous improvement. The controls testing team will coordinate with the Enterprise Risk Management team to provide a holistic view of risk management.

• Support the annual planning process for Group-wide assurance activities, including gathering data and preparing materials for the manager’s review.
• Execute controls testing in line with internal methodology for Group, Business Unit, and selected Group Function level controls as directed by the Group Assurance team.
• Prepare and maintain documentation in line with good practice related to controls testing, evidence, findings, and remediation activities.
• Engage with stakeholders through information requests, follow up inquiries and providing guidance, and challenge in respect of controls, under the direction of the Group Assurance Manager.
• Provide recommendations for remediation work required and conduct initial review of Remediation Plans prepared by the business where required.
• Monitor Remediation Plans and ensure appropriate and timely closure. Escalate concerns internally to ensure risk exposures are being managed effectively and efficiently.
• Prepare draft reports and summaries on the status of execution, significant findings, and remediation progress for review by the Group Assurance Manager.
• As needed, collaborate on controls and assurance projects including advising and supporting the design and implementation of controls, for example where new Principal Risks are identified, or Principal Risks change in nature.

• Professional Assurance Qualification, e.g., Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s / Graduate Degree.
• Over 3 years’ experience in controls testing or assurance field (including practice and industry).
• Controls testing expert with strong technical knowledge from relevant qualification and experience e.g. Accounting, Internal or External Audit Qualification. Able to work autonomously and deliver on plan.
• Excellent personal project management skills able to work across multiple work streams with different Business Units and Functions and provide clear and accurate communication of progress, milestones, issues and outcomes.
• Can perform root cause analysis during evaluation of finding and provide recommendations around severity and remediation required.
• Experience in using Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) tooling and reporting for controls testing. Should also have strong grasp of visualisation tools (primarily Power Bi).
• Good stakeholder communication skills and experience. Able to communicate clearly and accurately (both verbal and written) to document work performed and explain findings and issues in simple business terms.
• Experience in Utilities or related industries preferred.

A competitive salary of up to £60k – dependent on experience. In addition to the base salary, a bonus of up to 25% of your salary for stretch performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of…