Chief Auditor

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date. Job Title: Chief Auditor Line Manager: Srinivas Phatak Location: 100VE (Other locations possible with frequent travel / presence in London) Work-Level: WL4 Background: Corporate Audit is a diverse, global and forward-looking team that aims to protect what we all care for. We deliver with excellence high quality, insightful and timely reassurance on the key risks that could impact Unilever purpose. Our diverse and future-focused team offers the Chief Auditor a unique opportunity to enhance functional expertise and develop an in-depth understanding of risk management and governance across Unilever. Corporate Audit offers high-potential talents the opportunity to develop leadership skills, stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills while gaining a better understanding of Unilever. In addition, you will gain insights into risk management, deepen functional skills, build cross functional experience and gain exposure to a broad selection of Unilever's business across business groups, business units, countries, business operations and functions. The audits are conducted remotely and on-site, engaging with over 100 locations annually. We operate in five-week sprints throughout the year, providing opportunities to supervise a cross-functional team in each sprint often. The entire team consists of 38 team members, mostly experienced functional experts with 10+ years of experience. Corporate Audit has team members from Finance, IT, Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales & HR. JOB PURPOSE The Chief Auditor (CA; also named as Chief Audit Executive) is leading the function and actively engages with the Company Secretary to ensure the efficient operation of the Audit Committee itself. The role of the function is governed through the Corporate Charter and the respective section in the Governance of Unilever (see below respective links). The role is positioned independently of the Unilever organisation, forming, with the External Auditors, the third line of defence within the Unilever Risk management framework. RESPONSIBILITIES Audit & Re-assurance Set an audit strategy and operational plan, in line with the group business agenda & risk profile. Safeguard the independent operation of Corporate Audit, enabling delivering against the set Charter. Bring a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, internal control and governance processes. Develop and deliver a flexible Corporate Audit plan that reflects the risk appetite of the Board and provides the necessary assurance to meet Group expectations. Delivery of Corporate Audit activity to the highest ethical standards and expectations, in accordance with the expectations of the Internal Audit Standards (see link below for Global Internal Audit Standards). Determine the resources required to deliver the audit plan, with a view to continuous improvement, and agree these resources with the Chair of the Audit Committee. Ensure the Corporate Audit strategy is updated regularly to reflect best practice and the needs of the Group. Identify opportunities for innovation, including the use of data, technology and AI, across the function and assurance provision. Work with business leaders to identify appropriate actions in response to risks and to ensure appropriate follow up of all recommendations. Ensure compliance with relevant corporate governance requirements and professional standards. Ensure adequate feedback mechanism of audit findings with the 2nd line of defense / Centre of Excellence to strengthen their control framework. Talent Development Oversight of talent development using the function as a means to develop individuals, embed the appropriate capabilities, and as a means for sharing learning and experiences. Corporate Audit operates successfully an rotational auditor model (opposed to a career audit model) with a planned attrition of c40% p.a.. This requires the Chief Auditor to actively engage in the recruitment process. Ensure development on talent while being in Corporate Audit. We have seen a number of senior leaders in our organisation thrive after a rotation in this team Support return to an adequate business role. Governance & Reporting Primary interface with the Audit Committee and with the external auditors in setting Audit Committee agendas and developing papers, esp. Attendance of all scheduled Audit Committee meetings. Planning of the annual AC calendar and ensure compliance with the same through engagement with the Company Secretary. Ensure that the documents & presentations to the Audit Committee are relevant and addresses the questions of the AC. Ensure actions of the AC are followed up on time and in full. Deliver concise and coherent integrated risk, assurance and control reports of Corporate Audit to the AC and other relevant Board Committees. Develop and report a prioritised view on the most significant risks and changes to these risks. Add value through the identification of observations and sharing of learning that improves control and efficiency, alongside corrective actions. Other areas Maintain a dialogue with peers to keep abreast of professional and industry issues and trends and to proactively shape the assurance, risk and control agenda across the Group. Attendance at quarterly results meetings (formerly known as CEOCFO meeting) to understand the way in which the business is developing and delivering its strategy and the leadership tone and behaviours impacting on this. Ensure the effectiveness of the Audit Rotation Model, requiring engagement across multiple functions to identify potential talent to join Corporate Audit for a period of time. Work closely with the Audit Leadership team, esp. with the Global Head of Audit Operations (GHoO) who is responsible for ensuring Audit Operational Excellence, managing the day-to-day operations of Audits, and overseeing the performance, scorecard, and KPI processes to ensure that Audit delivers and demonstrates its value to the business. ALL ABOUT YOU Behaviours, Skills and Experience Requirements Embracing and championing the Unilever Behaviours of Care Deeply, Focus on what counts, Stay three steps ahead and Deliver with Excellence. Organisationally aware, resilient, robust yet empathetic, pragmatic and agile. Able to maintain and develop relationships at all levels of the organisation. Courage and conviction to raise the difficult questions and hold the tension to drive appropriate action and accountability for the answers. High level of emotional awareness to deliver challenging messages appropriately and with flexibility. Unquestionable ethics and integrity with an awareness of expectations for Internal Audit. Comfortable in leading in a changing and dynamic environment. Self-driven, energetic and proactive to work without guidance. Strong strategic understanding to interpret this and identify risks and required assurance, across all of the Group businesses. Strong financial/commercial background or experience to interpret consequences of issues. Good understanding of at least one of the financial control frameworks operating in Unilever (e.g. Global Financial Control Framework). Analytical and detailed and data driven mindset to identify issues, themes and trends. Strong written and verbal communication skills to distil complex information and messages and provide clarity. Innovative mindset to bring new approaches to resolving problems. Executive presence and ability to communicate effectively at Board level. Relevant years’ experience in a variety of Group roles to gain wide exposure to business risks and assurance requirements. Ideally operated in both Developed and D&E markets within the career. High IT literacy (e.g. basic understanding of Cyber Security Frameworks preferred) Experienced in internal or external audit at a Director level preferred Board level exposure and experience in presenting to Boards and Committees of the Board. Experience of operating in regulated sectors and geographic environments. Experience of leading a team in multiple geographies, comfortable in working in an hybrid environment. Key Relationships Audit Committee CEO/CFO and the wider ULE GCAD KPMG (external auditors) LEGAL NOTES Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible. By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.   Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner Tori Clarke on Tori.Clarke@unilever.com  What we offer Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com). Location  In June 2020 we announced our plan to consolidate a number of Unilever offices across the South East of England into a new Unilever campus in Kingston-upon-Thames in or around early 2025. However, on the 08 August 2024 we announced to our existing staff our proposal to retain our central Head Office in London, 100 Victoria Embankment (“100VE”) until our lease expires in 2027. As a result of this new proposal, we will be consulting with our existing staff, and new joiners who join during this period of consultation at 100VE, on the proposal made in August 2024. During consultation we will clarify the future location of each team and function. This means your role will either be based in 100VE until 2027 or in Kingston-Upon-Thames from early 2025. As we are yet to commence consultation on the proposal you agree, until such a time when consultation has concluded, your normal place of work as set out in the enclosed Statement of Terms & Conditions will be 100VE. You agree that on the conclusion of the consultation your place of work will be 100VE or 100VE until early 2025 and then Kingston-upon-Thames ("the locations") and you will be notified of which of the locations will be your place of work after that consultation ends. Relocation to the UK Please be aware if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, if successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions. We are one of the world largest consumer goods companies with amazing brands, dynamic people and a sustainable vision. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. If you are ambitious, keen to learn and want lo lead, you have come to the right place. Explore our website and apply to be part of a company with more than 400 brands used by over two billion people everyday.