Internal Audit Director - Digital and Operations

About the Role

As Internal Audit Director – Digital and Operations, you will play a senior leadership role within Group Internal Audit, providing independent assurance to the Audit Committee and senior management on the risks that matter most to OUP.

You will lead assurance across digital transformation, technology, programme delivery and operational risk, helping to ensure that:

• Major digital and technology programmes deliver their intended outcomes and benefits;
• Key technology and operational risks are identified and managed effectively;
• Cybersecurity, data privacy and technology controls keep pace with changing risks;
• Senior management receives accurate and timely information on programme performance and risk; and
• OUP complies with relevant laws, governance standards and Group policies.

You will also provide independent insight and constructive challenge, helping the organisation strengthen its controls, manage risk effectively and successfully deliver its strategic priorities.

You will partner with the Group Director of Assurance (GDA) to lead an effective and efficient GIA function that meets Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) standards.

Key accountabilities

• Lead and deliver complex internal audits across digital transformation, IT, cybersecurity, AI, data privacy, governance, risk, and financial controls, providing independent assurance and influencing business-critical decision making.
• Partner with senior stakeholders, including Executive Committee members, business leaders, and Audit Committee representatives, to assess risk, strengthen governance, and drive improvements across the organisation.
• Provide strategic assurance over major transformation programmes, including ERP implementations, digital strategy initiatives, and emerging technologies, ensuring effective risk management, controls, and business outcomes.
• Produce insightful audit findings and recommendations, using data analytics, AI tools, and technology-enabled audit techniques to identify risks, improve controls, and support organisational objectives.
• Build trusted relationships across the business, working collaboratively with senior management to support the delivery of audit plans, monitor action implementation, and promote a strong risk and control culture.
• Manage and develop audit activities and team capability, including co-source partners, quality improvement initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and mentoring colleagues.
• Represent Internal Audit as a subject matter expert, delivering workshops and guidance on areas including digital transformation, cybersecurity, AI, privacy, risk management, and governance.. 

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office. 

About You

Essential

• Essential:
  • Professional certifications in IT Audit, Project Management, or related disciplines (e.g. CISA, PRINCE2, PMP, Agile certifications).
  • Proven experience delivering Digital Transformation Assurance and IT audits within a professional services environment or a large multinational organisation, including leading audit teams and delivering complex audit plans.
  • Strong knowledge of SAP, Agile and Waterfall delivery methodologies, and experience using data analytics and audit management tools.
  • Demonstrated leadership and people management experience, with a track record of developing, coaching, and motivating high-performing teams.
  • Deep understanding of risk management, governance, and internal control frameworks, including COBIT, ITIL, PMBOK, Agile PM, and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
  • Experience partnering with multiple assurance functions to deliver integrated assurance across large, complex organisations.
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior leaders, including Executive Committee and Board-level stakeholders.
  • Proactive, adaptable, and commercially minded, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Exceptional report writing and communication skills, producing clear, concise, and impactful audit reports and recommendations.
  • Strong analytical skills with a keen eye for detail, while maintaining a strategic, enterprise-wide perspective.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, Power BI, data analytics tools, and emerging technologies including Generative and Agentic AI.
  Desirable:
  • Experience supporting the design and implementation of governance, risk, and control frameworks within large-scale enterprise projects and transformation programmes.
  • Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA.
  • Experience managing and overseeing co-sourced and outsourced internal audit providers, ensuring high-quality and efficient delivery of assurance activities.
  • Practical experience operating as a Programme Director or in a similar senior leadership role within a complex, multinational organisation.
  • Previous experience within the publishing industry or a related sector.
  • Fluency in one or more additional languages.

Benefits

We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days’ holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies. 

We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts. 

This role comes with the added benefit of private medical insurance, a car/allowance, and a management bonus.

Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information.

Queries

Please contact amrit.mann@oup.com with any queries relating to this role. 

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.