Associate Director – Assurance

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Lead and execute high-impact advisory assurance initiatives.

• Maintain and improve Aqua’s methodology for delivering assurance commissions in accordance with best practice standards.

• Assist technical teams in the design and execution of specific audits.

• Assess the effectiveness of governance frameworks, including investment boards and AMP cycle governance.

• Establish relationships with Asset Planning, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Regulation, and Capital Delivery teams.

• Present findings to senior leadership, the Audit & Risk Committee, and external regulators.

• Convert technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations.

• Provide independent assurance on submissions to Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

• Deliver assurance throughout the complete asset lifecycle, ensuring compliance with ISO 55001 and internal asset management policies.

• Offer assurance across the feasibility, design, and delivery stages of capital programmes and projects.

• Evaluate project governance, gateway processes, commercial controls, and risk management.

⛳️ Requirements

• Relevant professional experience in assurance, internal audit, compliance, risk, or regulatory reporting.

• Familiarity with internal audit methodologies, risk-based assurance, or second-line assurance.

• Understanding of asset management within utilities or infrastructure (desirable).

• Knowledge in data lineage, data quality testing, and control evaluation.

• Experience in the water sector during an AMP cycle or in business plan preparation (desirable).

• Delivery of assurance for capital programmes or major projects (desirable).

• Experience in data assurance for regulatory submissions (desirable).

• Understanding of strategic planning, asset management, or regulatory frameworks (desirable).

• Capacity to apply best practices and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.

• Proficient in building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and trends.

• Proven capability to manage multiple projects while adhering to time, cost, and quality standards.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to distill complex concepts.

• Experience in preparing reports, business cases, and presentations for senior audiences.

• Commercial awareness and understanding of project delivery principles.

• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and supporting team development.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary + discretionary bonus.

• Company pension.

• 25 days of annual leave + Bank holidays + option to purchase additional leave.

• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme.

• Company mobile phone and laptop provided.

• Training and career progression opportunities.

• Professional Membership fees covered.

• Life Assurance Scheme of 4 x annual salary.

• Employee Assistance Programme (including access to GP appointments, Physio appointments, and Mental Health Support).

• Medicash cash plan (reimbursement on everyday healthcare costs such as dental, glasses, and contact lenses).

• Refer a friend scheme.

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay and leave.