Internal Audit & Risk Manager

Internal Audit & Risk Manager

The Irish Times Group

Location:  Dublin or Cork, Ireland (Hybrid Working)

Contract:  Full-Time, Fixed-Term Contract (24 Months)

About The Irish Times Group

The Irish Times Group is Ireland's leading independent quality news publishing organisation. The core activity of The Irish Times Group has evolved from six-day print publishing to a seven-day multi-platform news publisher with a market-leading position in the development of subscriptions and maximising revenues. We focus on producing quality content for our readers, providing media solutions for customers and we continue to grow and evolve in a fast-paced changing media landscape. The Company is owned by The Irish Times Trust and is managed by The Irish Times DAC. In recent years, the Irish Times Group expanded its interests to include the Irish Examiner, The Echo, Regional newspapers and Radio stations in addition to the Citywest print facility, the property website MyHome.ie and Irish Times Training

About the Role

This new position represents an excellent opportunity to pursue a career in a dynamic and ever-changing industry. The Group has a wide range of businesses which operate in many different sectors including print, digital, distribution, online listings & production. You will have the opportunity to work regularly with the Group senior management team (SMT), recommend improvements to processes and systems, and you will gain experience working with this team and the Audit & Risk Committee ('ARC') on corporate governance, risk management and strategic processes.

The Internal Audit & Risk Manager will be responsible for The Irish Times Group strategic risk-based internal audit plan, along with building and managing the internal audit function in accordance with professional standards. The successful candidate will also be responsible for growing the team and working with third party vendors as required to enhance the risk posture of the Group.

The role will report administratively to the Group Chief Financial Officer with a direct reporting line to the Chairman of the ARC.

Key Responsibilities:

This wide-ranging position will include providing assurance on the effectiveness of our risk management systems and the strength of our internal control processes. This includes assessing compliance with internal policies and procedures, laws and regulations, contractual terms and conditions, financial reporting requirements and best practice audit and risk policies.

A key priority will be the establishing of an Internal Audit function and developing a strategy for achieving the mission, vision, and values of the Group within the function.

Other responsibilities include:

• Provide an independent challenge to management and the business in relation to its risk and control environment.
• Managing progression against the annual internal audit plan, and deliverables of the Internal Audit Strategic Plan.
• Promote strong corporate governance across the Group.
• Provide assurance to the Board, ARC and Executive Leadership Team over the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls.
• Ensure strong working relationships across all business functions and with key internal stakeholders.
• Provide value-add guidance to the business to address significant control gaps, improve key business processes and prioritise business efforts in line with the Group's strategy.
• Identify the capabilities required to meet the current and emerging needs of the function.
• Develop IA performance metrics to ensure quality reporting, benchmarking, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain constructive relations with the Group's external auditors.

Other areas of focus:

• Manage the Enterprise Risk Management process within the organisation and presenting the quarterly update to the ARC.
• Development of the annual internal plan and regular review of the adequacy of same throughout the year.
• Supporting the Executive leadership in preparing for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). 
• Oversight of Internal Audit requirements of our subsidiaries and joint ventures.
• Delivering ad-hoc advisory projects as directed by the Chairperson of the ARC
• Assisting the business on ad-hoc projects or strategic initiatives.
• People Management responsibilities.

Key Requirements:

• Qualified in professional auditing and holding an accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or other recognised qualification).
• A minimum of 5 years proven experience in delivering operational and compliance audits and assisting in effectively solving problems.
• Strong personal integrity, a role model for honesty and transparency, promoting trust in the Group and its leadership.
• Holds a passion for audit, with a strong working knowledge of the IIA standards.
• Organised, with strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Analytical, problem-solving mindset, detail orientated but able to grasp the bigger picture.
• A highly motivated individual who can communicate well at all levels with finance and non-finance colleagues, senior management, and the ARC.
• Lead change in a fast-moving and challenging environment.
• Advanced skills in presenting and reporting, with the ability to navigate and simplify complex information and situations being advantageous.
• Flexible on sector background and will consider candidates from practice and industry.

Benefits:

• Company Health Insurance Scheme
• Company Pension Contribution
• Free Irish Times Premium Digital Subscription
• Highly competitive annual leave entitlement
• Income Continuance Cover
• Corporate Gym Membership
• Sick Leave Pay
• Bike to work scheme

For further information or to discuss this role in confidence please do not hesitate to contact Aidan McGrath, Human Resources Department, The Irish Times.