External Audit Relationship Manager

About Us:

At Direct Line Group, insurance is just the start. Combining decades of industry experience with talented people in every field from data, technology, customer care and auto repair to HR, finance and procurement, we’re a customer-obsessed market powerhouse. And we all work together to be brilliant for customers, every single day.

We're recruiting for an External Audit Relationship Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract! Reporting to our Head of External Reporting, you'll be responsible for the end-to-end management of the external auditor; managing and driving deliverables to resolution.

You'll lead a coordinated effort across DLG to enhance processes and outcomes, ensuring seamless interaction between our business units and the audit team and driving the delivery of relevant Audit Committee, Board, and other technical accounting papers.

You'll have ownership of the external reporting timetable, coordinating planning activity, raising and resolving issues, and ensuring that internal and external stakeholder deliverables are aligned.

What else you'll be doing:

• Chairing interface meetings between the business and the audit team, ensuring timely resolution of issues and escalation of unresolved matters.
• Working with our Head of External Reporting and leadership network to lead the required delivery of the finance Audit Committee papers; ensuring the scope and requirements of the papers are understood.
• Taking ownership of DLG Finance's input to all papers of the external auditor submitted to the Audit Committee (e.g. fees, Audit strategy, management representation letters, auditor effectiveness, etc.).
• Owning the end-to-end External Reporting timetable for external financial reporting - HY, FY, and quarterly reporting, tracking delivery across respective timetables and prioritising and resolving any arising issues.

What we're looking for:

• Qualified accountant with experience in leading and managing External Audit relationships, ensuring collaboration and delivery of audit objectives.
• UK audit experience - ideally of insurance audit experience.
• Project management skills are essential for this role in order to ensure effective milestone planning across finance.
• In-depth understanding of finance processes, systems, and the financial control environment, and the ability to communicate, present, and influence at Board and Executive level.

Ways of Working:

Our hybrid model way of working offers a 'best of both worlds' approach combining the best parts of home and office-working, offering flexibility for everyone. When you'll be in the office depends on your role, but most colleagues are in 2 days a week, and we'll consider the flexible working options that work best for you.

Benefits:

We recognise we wouldn't be where we are today without our colleagues, that's why we offer excellent benefits designed to suit your lifestyle:

• 9% employer contribution pension
• Eligibility for annual performance bonus of up to 10%
• 25 days of annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• 50% off home, motor and pet insurance
• Free travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover
• Buy-as-you-earn share scheme
• Employee discounts and cashback

Being yourself:

Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we think diversity of background and thinking is a big strength in our people. We're delighted to feature as one of the UK's Top 50 Inclusive Employers and are committed to making our business an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves and succeed in their careers.

We know you're more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, are what bring potential to our business. We recognise and embrace people that work in different ways, so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.