Deputy Head of Internal Audit

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore.

WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. 

Why we're hiring:

Join WPP's transformative journey as a pivotal leader in Internal Audit!

WPP is undergoing an exciting global transformation, and we're seeking a first-rate Deputy Head of Internal Audit to play a critical role. Reporting directly to the Head of Internal Audit, you will be instrumental in elevating our assurance capabilities and expanding our reach across the entire organization.

We're looking for a visionary leader with deep expertise in best practices across large-scale global businesses. You'll bring a proven track record of evolving Internal Audit functions into 'leading edge' operations – enhancing the quality of our talent, optimizing our ways of working, and fostering robust partnerships with the business. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, you'll be empowered to challenge existing practices, acting as a critical friend who consistently adds tangible value.

This London-based role, with a minimum of three days a week in the office, to foster collaboration and impact.

Team Oversight:

Reports to: WPP Director of Internal Audit

Direct reports: Internal Audit Operations Team of circa 4 FTEs.

Other key relationships: Regional Directors of Internal Audit, Regional Networks/Agencies leadership teams, External Auditors, Regional Heads of Functions e.g. Risk, Controls, Compliance Legal, HR, IT, etc.

What you'll be doing:

Key Responsibilities            

• Strategic Audit Leadership: Lead the Group's audit planning, ensuring high-risk areas receive the most intensive assurance coverage.


• Program Delivery: Collaborate with Directors to monitor and execute the Internal Audit program across all key Networks/Agencies, processes, and risks within the region.


• Stakeholder Engagement: Develop, coordinate, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.


• Value-Added Reporting: Present audit assurance results concisely and commercially, providing thought leadership and actionable insights to WPP.


• Audit Committee Reporting: Draft all Audit Committee reports, summarizing audit activities and team performance against the audit plan.


• Corporate Governance Oversight: Oversee the assurance program in response to the revised UK Corporate Governance Code.


• Quality Assurance & Improvement: Develop and maintain a robust Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) for all Internal Audit activities, ensuring continuous monitoring of effectiveness and adherence to International Standards for Internal Auditing.


• Budgetary Control: Exercise strong budgetary control to optimize functional efficiency without compromising coverage or quality.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ensure seamless interface with other risk and oversight functions (Risk, Controls, Legal, Compliance) for optimal coverage of WPP’s key business risks.


• Business Performance Improvement: Add value by identifying opportunities to enhance business performance and improve, enhance, or refine control aspects of processes.


• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, direct, motivate, and continuously improve the capability of the Internal Audit Operations team.


• Knowledge Sharing & Best Practice: Foster an environment of knowledge sharing and thought leadership within the function and with external networks to capture best practice opportunities.


• Talent Development: Lead the coaching and development of Internal Audit staff, including the selection of external hires as resource requirements evolve.

What you'll need: 

Ideal Experience

• Significant experience within a global business of considerable complexity and scale.


• A proven leader and contemporary thinker in the field.


• We will also consider outstanding "step-up" candidates, as well as professionals from Risk Management, Compliance, and other relevant functional backgrounds.


• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, adept at managing multiple tasks and deadlines.


• A formal accounting, audit, risk, or compliance qualification is preferred.

Leadership Capabilities

Leading Change

• Proactively identifies and communicates the need for change, challenging assumptions and norms within Internal Audit and across the broader business.


• Articulates the necessity of change, its potential outcomes, and costs with commercial empathy.


• Adapts communication style to foster understanding and acceptance of change across diverse audiences.


• Cultivates a culture of openness, encouraging support for new ideas and proposals.

Collaborating and Influencing

• Actively seeks and values diverse opinions and perspectives.


• Engages stakeholders in dialogue to build commitment and alignment, connecting their views to strategic objectives.


• Adapts influencing approaches, anticipating reactions and preparing for potential resistance with a range of communication styles.


• Effectively resolves conflicts by addressing individual concerns and ensuring mutual understanding.


• Proactively maintains professional networks.

Building People Capability

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, understanding how individual behaviours impact performance.


• Invests time with team members to understand their goals, motivations, and challenges.


• Provides constructive, behavioural-based feedback and actionable suggestions for improvement.


• Leverages company talent programs to support individualized career growth.


• Integrates developmental conversations into routine processes through regular assessment and feedback.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

#LI-Onsite

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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