Senior Internal Audit Manager
Location: Darlington or home-based (UK) with regular travel to Darlington and London.
Role type: Permanent
At Railpen, our purpose is simple: to secure our members’ future.
We're looking for a Senior Internal Audit Manager to join our modern, strategically aligned Internal Audit function that provides insight, challenge and assurance where it matters most.
This is not a traditional, compliance-led audit role. We believe effective assurance helps organisations achieve their objectives, navigate change and make better decisions, not simply assess compliance or control effectiveness.
We are looking for an audit leader who combines strong technical credibility with judgement, influence and strategic thinking. Someone who is as comfortable discussing business strategy, transformation and organisational risk, as they are evaluating controls.
The opportunity
You will own and oversee assurance activity across complex business portfolios, helping senior leaders and governance forums understand the risks, opportunities and decisions that matter most to Railpen's long-term success.
Working closely with Executive leaders, Trustees and Audit Committees, you will provide independent insight, constructive challenge and credible assurance that supports better outcomes, not just stronger controls.
Success in this role will be measured not by the number of audits delivered, but by the impact of your work on the organisation. That means providing insight that improves decision-making, influences senior stakeholders, strengthens governance, supports strategic objectives and helps Railpen achieve better outcomes for its members.
Our Internal Audit team has meaningful access to senior decision makers and plays an active role in informing strategic discussions, governance oversight and organisational change.
This is an opportunity to help shape how assurance supports the organisation, identifying patterns, themes and emerging risks that influence decision-making and contribute to the successful delivery of Railpen's objectives.
What you'll do
Own delivery of Internal Audit activity across assigned portfolios, ensuring assurance remains focused on the risks and decisions that matter most.
Lead and oversee complex, high-profile or sensitive engagements where senior judgement, experience and stakeholder management are critical.
Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, while maintaining independence and providing constructive challenge when required.
Engage confidently with Executive Committees, Audit Committees, Trustees and other governance forums, translating complexity into clear, decision-useful insight.
Move beyond individual findings to identify themes, root causes, emerging risks and opportunities that support organisational learning and improvement.
Coach and influence colleagues, helping develop judgement, confidence and consistency across the Internal Audit team.
Contribute to the continued evolution of a forward-looking Internal Audit function focused on insight, connected assurance and organisational value.
What we're looking for
You'll be an experienced Internal Audit professional who can demonstrate:
Significant experience leading assurance activity within complex organisations.
Personal experience presenting to, advising and responding to challenge from Boards, Audit Committees, Trustees, Executive Committees or equivalent senior governance forums.
The confidence and credibility to present, advise, respond to challenge and influence discussion at senior levels.
Strong professional judgement and the ability to operate effectively in an environment that values outcomes, and accountability over process compliance and tick-box auditing.
Evidence that your insight assurance work has influenced decisions, strengthened governance, improved business outcomes or supported strategic objectives.
A pragmatic, commercial and risk-based approach to assurance.
The ability to balance independence with constructive challenge and effective business partnering.
Strong communication and reporting skills, with the ability to distil complex issues into clear, insightful and impactful messages.
Experience working in delivery-focused environments where quality, performance, accountability and measurable outcomes matter.
Curiosity, critical thinking and the ability to connect operational observations to wider strategic implications.
A mindset aligned to continuous improvement, modern assurance and helping organisations succeed.
Experience within investment management, asset management, pensions or broader financial services would be advantageous, but we are primarily interested in candidates who bring exceptional judgement, influence, stakeholder credibility and strategic assurance capability.
Why Railpen?
Railpen is a purpose-led organisation with a long-term outlook and a collaborative culture where professional judgement is trusted, constructive challenge is valued and people are encouraged to develop and grow.
You will be part of a function with meaningful access to the organisation's most important risks, decisions and strategic priorities.
If you're looking for an Internal Audit leadership role where you can influence senior decision-makers, provide genuine strategic insight and help shape organisational success, we'd love to hear from you.
What we can offer you
Rewarding you
A competitive salary (depending on experience)
28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Generous annual bonus plan
We provide membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
4x Life Assurance cover
Heath & Wellbeing
Private Medical Insurance
Employee assistance programme
Health cash plan
Eye care vouchers
Flu vaccination
Lifestyle
We support hybrid and flexible working along with very generous family leave including 12 months full pay maternity leave and 6 months full pay paternity leave
Buy and sell holidays
Give as you earn scheme
Paid volunteering days
Flexible half days leave
Electric vehicle leasing
Cycle to work scheme
Next Steps
Please apply for the apply button or visit Careers Page by 28th September 2026.
Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life