Assurance & Compliance Manager - Construction

Audit & Compliance Manager- Construction Industry

Up to £75K + Car Allowance + Bens. ( Hybrid ) Birmingham office based 2x per week

Elite Audit & Finance Recruitment are working in partnership for a leading UK infrastructure and construction business. The newly set up Audit & Compliance department in this growing UK business are looking for a suitable Audit & Compliance Manager to reporting into the Director of Audit and Compliance. This role will be a pivotal position in the new department overseeing a small team.

Role Summary

The Internal Audit & Compliance Manager is responsible for overseeing internal audit activities and ensuring robust financial, operational, and compliance controls across the business' functions, regions, and projects.

This role supports the Head of Audit, Risk and Compliance in delivering the internal audit strategy and shaping the wider assurance agenda. The postholder leads a blended team of three Regional Auditors and an Internal Audit & Compliance Lead (Central Functions).

They are accountable for delivering a risk-based internal audit plan and integrating insights from wider business assurance activities-such as Quality Consultant reviews and Quantity Surveyor-led peer reviews-to form a cohesive and intelligence-led assurance view.

The role works collaboratively with central functions, business units, and project teams to improve control effectiveness, strengthen compliance with ISO standards, and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Support delivery of the internal audit strategy, working closely with the Head of Audit, Risk and Compliance.
• Provide visible leadership to the internal audit team, ensuring clear accountability, consistency of approach, and professional development across four direct reports.
• Champion a culture of risk awareness, learning, and accountability.

Audit Delivery

• Lead the development and execution of the internal audit plan.
• Oversee audits of central functions (e.g. Finance, HR, Procurement, IT, Commercial).
• Direct and support regional auditors conducting project and field audits.
• Ensure alignment with ISO standards () and audit best practice.
• Embed a standardised, risk-based audit methodology across all audit activity.
• Track and report audit outcomes and follow-up actions to the Head of Audit, Risk and Compliance.

Integrated Assurance & Learning

• Consolidate assurance insights from internal audits, BSI audits, regional Quality Consultant reviews, and peer reviews by Quantity Surveyors.
• Identify recurring themes, control failures, and improvement opportunities across functions and regions.
• Translate audit and assurance outputs into actionable insights for governance and performance improvement.

Business Engagement & Impact

• Advise on control enhancements and process improvements.
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, financial systems and business operations.
• Coordinate external audit, analyse recommendations and lead improvement programmes.
• Act as an assurance partner to senior stakeholders, including project leads, commercial teams, and heads of function.

Reporting & Governance

• Produce high-quality reports, dashboards and thematic summaries for executive review.
• Contribute audit insights to management reviews, IMS improvement planning, and risk mitigation discussions.
• Support BSI certification and re-certification planning.

What we are looking for:

Audit, Compliance or risk experience ideally in construction or engineering

Strong knowledge of ISO standards and internal control frameworks

Demonstrated experience managing multi-site audit teams

Strong technical and commercial acumen.

Awareness of risk and mitigation strategies.

Ability to work independently and within a team.

High attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Proactive, improvement-focused and outcome-oriented

Comfortable navigating matrix environments and managing across regions

Full driving license required.

Please send in your CV details to Rachael Terry for more information

Education:

• Bachelor's (preferred)

Experience:

• ISO standards: 5 years (required)
• Audit multi-site: 5 years (required)