Audit & Risk Manager

Job Title:  Audit & Risk Manager

Location: Dublin

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

Reports to: Risk & Internal Assurance Lead

ABOUT THE LAND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is a key Government Commercial State Body that delivers social and affordable housing on State and other lands. Recently provided with an additional €2.5bn in funding by Government this brings the LDA’s total funding capacity to €8.75bn. The LDA will be the largest home builder in Ireland by the end of 2028.

The LDA has commenced construction on various state sourced lands and has a direct delivery pipeline in excess of 21,000 homes with over 6,500 homes constructed or currently under construction. The LDA is also delivering affordable housing by working with the private sector on an initiative called ‘Project Tosaigh’, which will yield 8,000 homes by the end of 2028. Recently the LDA has secured planning permission for hundreds of new homes at locations such as the Limerick Gasworks, Corrib Causeway in Galway and in Dublin; Bluebell Waterways and Dundrum Central.  Additionally, the LDA is working on large-scale longer-term strategic areas by master-planning and bringing forward planning applications in locations such as Limerick Colbert Quarter, the Digital Hub in Dublin and Sandy Road in Galway.

Fuelled by an ethos of public service, the LDA is underpinned by a positive, collegiate, ‘can do’ culture based on our core values of Integrity, Results, Collaboration, Sustainability and Innovation. Our team is around 260 people and growing rapidly. The LDA seeks to maximise the supply of affordable homes on public and other land in a financially sustainable manner, supporting the creation of thriving communities and delivering ongoing positive social impacts. It is overseen by an independent board of directors.

Summary: 

Purpose of the Role:

The LDA is a property developer and a landlord that operates in a multi-faceted complex risk and control environment.  At the LDA we believe that the effective management of risk and a strong internal control environment are both essential for success.  The Audit and Risk (A&R) Manager role is critical in guiding the LDA in managing risk and maintaining an effective internal control environment. The role requires a risk management and internal control subject matter expert to guide the executive and senior leadership teams in their management of risk and decision making.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:

Risk Management

• Maintain, oversee and report on the delivery of the annual risk monitoring plan


• Monitor compliance with the risk management policy including the effective implementation of the three lines of defence model


• Fulfil the role of secretary to the Risk Management Working Group including preparing agendas, meeting minutes, the co-ordination of papers, maintenance of the terms of reference and compilation of the working group’s annual report


• Support the Senior and Executive Leadership Teams and the Board with risk appetite development, approval and reporting


• Support the development and maintenance of the corporate risk register and risk reports and as required directorate and project risk registers and risk reports


• Develop and deliver risk management training and awareness content when required


• Ensure risk management training and awareness is delivered as per the annual risk monitoring plan


• Conduct an annual risk culture survey and based on the results develop and track the annual risk culture action plan


• Work with stakeholders to support the completion of an annual strategic risk review and report


• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of the LDA third party risk management framework


• Oversee and action the implementation of internal audit recommendations as they pertain to the Governance, Risk and Compliance function


• Seek to continually improve the LDA’s approach to risk management

Internal Audit (IA)

• Oversee contract management of the LDA’s outsourced IA function


• Support the delivery of the annual IA plan including tracking and reporting on costs versus budget


• Guide colleagues through the IA process from planning to final report


• Monitor IA action closure against agreed target dates and highlight where deadlines are at risk


• Ensure the LDA’s Internal Audit Charter and Protocol are maintained

Internal Control Environment

• Engage and collaborate with the Internal Assurance Manager in the development and maintenance of the key LDA controls register including, as required, assessments of control effectiveness


• At every opportunity, work collaboratively to continually improve the LDA’s internal control environment


• Support the drafting of the LDA Annual Report including the Statement on Internal Control, risk management sections and others as required

Risk Management and Internal Control (RM&IC) Attestations

• Maintain and ensure compliance with the RM&IC Attestation Policy and the associated training


• Plan and coordinate the execution of the bi-annual RM&IC attestation process and annual critical third-party risk and assurance assessment including documenting and correlating attester feedback


• Support the Chief Executive and Risk Officers in the drafting of their RM&IC attestation reports

Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)

• Support the Chief Risk Officer and others in the delivery of the ARC annual work plan


• Prepare and present reports and papers to the ARC as required

Additional Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain and rehearse business continuity and incident response arrangements as required


• In conjunction with the Procurement function, conduct procurements as required in a manner compliant with the LDA’s procurement policy


• 
  Support projects, as required including IT implementations and the on-boarding of third parties

Key Requirements:

• Third level degree and/or professional qualification in a relevant discipline


• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role or in practice


• In-depth knowledge of recognised enterprise risk management standards/methods (e.g. COSO II, ISO 31000) is essential


• Excellent attention to detail, high standards and good financial acumen are essential


• Experience of public sector risk and compliance obligations is desirable


• 
  Familiarity with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 and associated guidance is desired

Additional experience & skills:

The LDA operates in a complex multi-faceted risk environment.  The A&R Manager is required to demonstrate the following personal specification and behavioural characteristics:

• Team player with a strong, solutions focused approach to collaboration


• Strategic thinking with strong problem-solving capabilities including being comfortable with uncertainty


• Open mindset with a willingness to be flexible in how they think


• Trusted and supportive colleague and advisor


• Ability to work independently, form own judgement/opinions, provide insights, implement change, prioritise and work on multiple assignments simultaneously


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Excellent internal and external stakeholder relationship management skills


• Structured and analytical approach towards work


• Delivery focused approach to work – create a plan and commit to delivering it

To Apply:

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 30th of January 2026

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promote and support a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we endeavour to provide reasonable accommodation.